| Very few people have ever experienced the world | | | | van is completely removed. The van then faces |
| of the disabled person confined to a wheelchair. An | | | | many cutting processes and strengthening. The |
| individual that has been forced to live their life in the | | | | frame in the lowered floor area is completely |
| confines of a wheel chair finds many public places | | | | replaced. The actual replaced floor is much stronger |
| inaccessible. Can you imagine the problem of being | | | | than the preexisting floor from the van manufacturer. |
| confined to your home with no access to the outside | | | | There is an anchoring system installed for the |
| world? Many people in wheelchairs never travel | | | | wheelchair. The van is then reassembled to look |
| beyond the confines of their own dwelling. Many | | | | much like the original vehicle. In fact you have to look |
| places in the business sector have made changes | | | | twice if you see one going down road. |
| over the years to allow access to their establishment. | | | | Due to the relocation of the fuel tank performed by |
| However many have not. Strangely enough some of | | | | most wheelchair van manufactures the vans must |
| these business' that have not made alterations include | | | | face rigorous crash testing to meet all federal |
| doctor offices, restaurants, and malls. | | | | requirements. Side, front, and rear crash testing must |
| Many of those that suffer from disabilities have | | | | be completed by a third party testing facility. No |
| discovered the wheelchair van or handicap van to | | | | untested wheelchair vans will ever touch the road |
| help increase mobility. These vans are now allowing | | | | with out federal approval. |
| disabled people of all ages to regain access to | | | | The two most prominent types of wheelchair vans |
| society. Wheelchair vans allow entire families with a | | | | are the side entry van and the rear entry van. The |
| disabled sibling to travel as if they would normally. | | | | rear entry van allows for parking in normal areas and |
| The new versions of these vehicles allow the person | | | | does not require a handicap parking place like the side |
| in the wheelchair to enter the vehicle either through | | | | entry vans require. The rear entry wheelchair van |
| the side access or through the rear access. Mini vans | | | | maintains a much higher ground clearance than the |
| have become the industry standard when being | | | | rear entry van. The benefit of this is in the areas of |
| converted for disability use. Years ago most mobility | | | | the country that have heavier snowfalls and |
| vehicles were the bulky and difficult to drive full size | | | | mountainous roads. The final and most important |
| vans. This vehicle is not used much any more as | | | | factor is that the frame is not cut as it is on the side |
| personal vehicle due to skyrocketing fuel prices. | | | | entry models. This lends to a longer vehicle service |
| Mini vans are not only more fuel efficient but are | | | | life and easier driving. No matter what your van |
| much easier to drive in high traffic areas. In most | | | | choice is, it makes living in the world of disabilities |
| cases the mini vans face an extreme conversion | | | | much easier and coping with society a more |
| process which includes lowering the floor anywhere | | | | enjoyable experience. |
| from eight to twelve inches. The interior of the mini | | | | |