When you rely on a wheelchair for general mobility, it’s important that that wheelchair be able to go everywhere with you. In order to do that, however, your vehicle needs to be able to accommodate your wheelchair, and most vehicles are not equipped to do that. This means adding features to your vehicle to ensure that your wheelchair can be safely and securely stowed away, so it can travel with you anywhere you go. But what options do you have for making these vehicle modifications? Read here to learn more about auto lifts, ramps, and more.
Just as the name implies, a wheelchair lift is designed to lift a wheelchair from the ground level up to the level of the vehicle’s doorway. They can also be referred to as platform lifts or vertical platform lifts, but all of these terms refer to the same type of device. This accessibility option features a motorized platform that can be lowered to the ground. The wheelchair user simply wheels their chair onto the ramp, and then the motor lifts them up to the level of the vehicle’s entrance.
These lifts can be adapted in many ways, and there are a few different subtypes available that we will address in a moment. Motorized lifts take on all the heavy lifting associated with loading a wheelchair into a vehicle, which can be a great solution if you don’t have a friend or family member to help you with this process. They can also be sized to fit various vehicles, from sedans to minivans and more.
One subtype of wheelchair lift is called an inboard wheelchair lift. These lifts have a large platform size and a wider wheelbase but are still lightweight and easy to maneuver. Their name refers to the lift’s platform that folds into the vehicle when it’s not in use—so carrying the lift inboard. This makes them best suited to larger vehicles that can stow a large platform alongside the wheelchair.
Again, the name of this type of wheelchair lift refers to the way it’s stowed. Specifically, a cassette wheelchair lift has a specialized opening either underneath the vehicle or strategically hidden away inside an existing step or other compartment space. When not in use, the ramp slides into this hidden compartment like a cassette tape into a player. Obviously, having such a space in your vehicle would require some specialized modifications, which makes them more difficult and expensive to install than inboard wheelchair lifts. However, they’re a great choice for smaller vehicles that have limited space for inboard storage of the platform.
An exterior lift does not actually load your wheelchair into the vehicle but can be a good way to bring your wheelchair along with you when you travel. As with the other lifts described above, these devices have a platform that you can wheel your chair onto; however they’re mounted on the rear of the vehicle, so the wheelchair will stay outside of your car throughout the journey.
This does expose your chair to road conditions and weather, but it can still be a good choice if you don’t travel long distances with your wheelchair and your vehicle has very limited interior space. Keep in mind that you may need help getting in and out of the car since your wheelchair will not be loaded into the vehicle with you.
Ramps aren’t just for buildings! They can also be used to make your vehicle more accessible and make it easier to load your wheelchair. Ramps can be extended from the doorway of the vehicle to meet any ground height and provide a gradual slope to enter the vehicle. Ramps can be extended manually or by using a motor. These are a popular choice for public transportation but can also be a budget-friendly option for adding accessibility to your own vehicle. These can also be a good choice if your reliance on a wheelchair is temporary, as they don’t require permanent alterations to your vehicle. You can simply stow the ramp in your trunk or elsewhere in your vehicle and place it in the vehicle’s doorway when you need to get your wheelchair in or out of the car.
If you need a way to make your home or vehicle accessible, contact Southern Mobility Solutions. We can provide you with an estimate on a vehicle ramp, lift, or even a straight stairlift cost for your home. We provide a wide range of mobility solutions that can make your home and vehicle safer and more accessible for those with reduced mobility. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.
