People of determination have many facilities in the UAE. It is really common for caretakers to buy wheelchair accessible transportation vehicles in the UAE. Those who don’t have such vehicles can transform their regular cars into wheelchair accessible vehicles with the help of specialized mobility and accessibility products.
These include wheelchair ramps, lifts, stair-lifts, hand controls, wheelchair seat belts, wheelchair tie-downs, assisted door bars other mobility and accessibility products. Let us take you through the process of converting standard vehicles into wheelchair accessible transportation vehicles.
How to Convert a Regular Vehicle into Wheelchair Accessible Transportation
Regular cars can be converted into wheelchair accessible transportation vehicles with the help of mobility and accessibility products. Here are a few things you can use for this purpose:
Wheelchair Ramps
The most common modification to convert a regular vehicle into a wheelchair accessible one is through ramps. These are used to ease the user enter and exit the vehicle while sitting in the wheelchair. You can go for automatic or manual ramps depending on the model and make of your car.
Just make sure there is ample space between your vehicle and those at the back or side, otherwise, it will be difficult to extend the ramp completely and it could be dangerous as well. It is easier to use wheelchair ramps with vans that have two doors in the back or SUVs with one big door.
If you drive an SUV, you can fold down the back seats to transfer the wheelchair in the vehicle with the person so they don’t have to get up from their wheelchair. Nevertheless, if you drive a normal sedan, you can get rid of the front passenger seat and use that space to place the wheelchair user. But this medication will depend on the size, make and model of your car.
Wheelchair Tie-Downs
Moving our focus from outside the vehicle to inside, wheelchair tie-downs are essential for people of determination. Whether you are going for a long drive or a short one, it is pertinent to tie down the wheelchair to protect it from rolling while the car is moving.
Use Wheelchair Restraints
This is just another name for a seatbelt but there is a difference between wheelchair restraints and normal seat belts. A wheelchair seat belt is a two-point seat belt, where the user is strapped from the lap and the diagonal shoulder belt.
Swivel Seats
Standard seats in vehicles are limited in movement. This is where swivel seats can be used for people with mobility issues. These are customized seats that can rotate, raise and even pivot out of a car making it easier for the person with limited movement to get in and out of the car.
Swivel Cushion
If you don’t want to install a swivel seat in your car, or your car isn’t modified for one, you can simply use a swivel cushion to facilitate the wheelchair user. This cushion sits on top of the car seat and rotates to make it easier for the person with less mobility to swing their feet out of the car.
Assist Bars
These are small, lightweight bars commonly known as transfer aid or portable vehicle support grab. The driver has to attach the U-shaped bar to the doorjamb. This leaves the padded portion of the bar sticking out. A person with limited mobility can grab this bar to get inside a car. This is a detachable bar and the caregiver can easily remove it before closing the door.
That is all about converting standard vehicles into wheelchair accessible transportation. Remember, even with all the above-mentioned mobility and accessibility products, the caretaker has to be very cautious when transferring wheelchair users in and out of a vehicle. If you are looking for a car that can be easily transformed into a safer, more accessible one, browse through this extensive list of used cars for sale in UAE.
If you are in search of wheelchairs and other medical equipment, take a look at these medical equipment and supplies for sale in the UAE. You can also read about the driving facilities for the people of determination in the UAE.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog for more information on driving and owning a car in the Emirates.
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