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Wheelchair Accessible Vans – A Game Changer for the Disabled

Approximately 5.5 million people depend on a wheelchair to travel outside of their home, this according to a U.S. Department of Transportation report from 2024. This number is up from about 3.5 million just 20 years ago.  This statistic alone makes one understand how important wheelchair accessible vehicles are.

The modern wheelchair accessible van was invented after World War 2 when so many veterans of that war were permanently disabled. They returned to the States and needed to be able to travel.

Canadian engineer George Klein developed the first electric wheelchair in 1953 for WWII veterans, which was mass-produced by 1956 and paved the way for integrating powered mobility into vehicles. This was a great advent, but it didn’t solve the problem of disabled folks needing to travel long-distances.

A man named Ralph Braun is credited for having invented the modern hydraulic lift specifically designed to lift wheelchairs into vehicles. In fact, he went on to found The Braun Corporation in 1972, initially producing lifts and scooters under the Save-A-Step name. It was around this time that special conversions were being made in larger vehicles to be able to accommodate the lift and the passenger.

Today you can purchase vehicles specially made to accommodate a wheelchair. You can also purchase a standard vehicle and have it converted. BraunAbility—now employing over 1,200 people worldwide—leads with products for consumer, commercial, and taxi markets, following Ralph Braun’s 2013 passing.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides information about these vehicles under the label “adaptive vehicles”. They aim to help provide information about how to secure these vehicles as well as special insurance and funding.

What to Consider for When Choosing a Vehicle

Ramp vs Lift: It’s up to the individual to decide which option is best. One has to keep in mind parking restraints as well as taking pricing into consideration.

Side vs Rear Entry: This is another option which will need to be considered. One must account for parking options and space utilization.

Driving Adaptation Options: These options help a disabled person operate the vehicle and should be tailored to their needs.

Laws exist which require access to be considered when constructing new buildings. These laws were created to help the millions of disabled people navigate their local town or any city which they plan to travel. Some cities rank higher than others as far being “disability-friendly” is concerned.