TRANSPORT & MOBILITY
Wheel and Deal
Purchasing a wheelchair accessible vehicle is a big financial decision, one that care settings can’t afford to get wrong. Dave Jones, director of Mobility Nationwide, shares his advice on finding the best vehicle at the right price.
Every care setting needs a wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV), but it can be difficult to decide between costs, capacity, convenience and comfort. Fortunately it’s possible to tick all these boxes while remaining on budget, but only if you know where to look.
Deciding on the number of additional seats you’ll need is one of the most important considerations when buying a WAV since each additional seat is expensive. The majority of care settings only use their WAVs for short trips or family visits, and in these cases a smaller vehicle will do. However, in order to get good value from your purchase you want your WAV to last at least five years, so also try to think about what vehicle your care setting might need in a couple of years time.
While there are larger WAVs that have the capacity for more than one wheelchair user at a time, the expense is much higher for both the vehicle purchase and the running costs. Transporting two wheelchair users at a time can also make the process less time efficient. With this in mind, I usually recommend a vehicle that is smaller rather than larger. The majority of WAVs are available in both petrol and diesel, but petrol is the better choice for the low mileage user.
In most cases, wheelchair access is via the rear of the vehicle through a lightweight, extendable ramp.
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This means that there needs to be enough space to extend the ramp. It also means that the carer needs to be physically strong enough to safely handle the wheelchair on a ramp. Before purchasing a WAV, consider where you will park it and whether there is enough space there to manoeuvre a wheelchair, both at the care setting and at important destinations. It doesn’t hurt to take the measurements so that you know for sure if you’ve got a fit.
The other option is to purchase a larger vehicle that is fitted with a mechanical lift. Mechanical lifts require less space to deploy and don’t require any physical strength on the part of the carer. However, they tend to be slower to operate than a ramp, more expensive, and also require weight checks every six to twelve months. Mechanical lifts are sometimes installed on the side of the vehicle, so they can be the ideal solution to a tricky parking situation.
The most important feature of any WAV is that your residents and staff feel safe and secure. Some vehicles, such as the Renault Kangoo, are available in both three seater and four seater versions. While it might seem like the four seater is the obvious choice, that extra seat takes up space within the vehicle and can leave passengers in the back feeling a little crowded. If comfort is a top priority, really think about how often
that extra seat will be needed before you make a purchase. If you have taller passengers, be sure to take headroom into account too.
Spare a thought for the driver as well. Driving the large Renault Master isn’t an easy ask of someone who is accustomed to a much smaller vehicle, especially when they’re going to need to park it fairly precisely to allow the wheelchair user in and out of the vehicle. If your driver isn’t comfortable handling a larger vehicle, then there are plenty of other options. The Citroen Berlingo is a breeze to drive and is an excellent choice for local appointments. It might be a good idea to take the driver along with you to look at the different vehicles so that you can take their opinion into account.
To get the very best advice on which WAV is right for your needs, speak to a WAV specialist. It’s unlikely that a conventional dealer will have all the information you need to make the correct decision. Check that your dealer has a large selection of vehicles, so that you are sure you are being sold the vehicle that is right for you, rather than the vehicle they have to get rid of. Take your time when making a decision, and if you start feeling pressured by a salesperson it might be a good idea to take your business elsewhere.
wheelchairaccessiblevehicles.com
www.tomorrowscare.co.uk
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