The Best Six Vans or Alternative Vehicles for Seniors with Disabilities!

While there are quite a few vans and other vehicles available from a number of manufacturing companies for conversion to accommodate seniors with disabilities, they are not all created equally when it comes to accommodating these seniors.

There are a few basic guidelines when considering a specific vehicle for the mobility modifications that are required for this type of service. First, is it easy enough to get into and out of? Second, how much headroom is available to accommodate a person in their wheelchair? Third, is the steering column set up so that it can be moved up or away easily to help facilitate entry and exit? And fourth, is the van capable of accepting a lift either through the side door or the rear?

Primarily the vans that I have seen converted for drivers with disabilities have typically been minivans for at least the past decade, but there are still some who prefer the security, ride and handling of a full size van. The setup is similar whichever basis you choose with optional side or rear entry ramps or lifts depending on the model. The brake and accelerator may need to be adapted to hand controls which have become much easier to install than they were in the old days. Many of the minivans are good candidates for conversion since they are front wheel drive which makes it easier to lower the floor which helps fit the ramp or lift while maintaining headroom for riders.

So the top five vans or optional vehicles which I feel are best suited for setting up for senior drivers with disabilities would be the following:

1) Chevy Venture, side entry for lift or ramp. This is my first pick since I have been in one which was professionally converted to handicap and wheelchair accessible. This van has plenty of room for passengers and their cargo. They are not too big so they are manageable on the road for any driver with disabilities.

2) Chrysler Town & Country, side entry system. This van is roomy and with its impressive heritage is still one of the best vans on the market today. The conversion is just like the Chevy Venture mentioned above and has plenty of power to get your senior with disabilities down the road safely. Chrysler is after all the creator of the modern minivan so I am always going to be a little bit partial to these vans.

3) Ford Windstar, rear entry. Ford Windstar minivan is a reliable and well built vehicle that adapts well to wheelchair service. I used these as service vehicles and have seen them modified with ramps and hand controls and they work really well in traffic and on the highway. The factory mirrors seem small and low to me, some modification here is likely for improved safety.

4) Toyota Sienna, Rear Entry. This is a very nice minivan which is surprisingly roomy for a van in this class. Once outfitted with handicap accessible equipment you will be surprised at how nimble these vans handle and they also get great gas mileage.

5) Honda Element, Side entry. This is a bit smaller than the rest of this list, but in the hands of a professional modification company you will be more than satisfied with the ride, comfort and quality of this vehicle. It has a lot of head room to begin with and retrofits into a handicap accessible van very easily. Many seniors with disabilities that you know would be very happy with this little vehicle.

6) PT-Cruiser, Side entry. Amazingly this is now a very popular vehicle to convert into handicap service and it also works well for many seniors since the body styling is very retro! There are not too many modified PT Cruisers on the roads just yet, but I predict that as people become more aware of the true capabilities of this vehicle in this duty, then they will want to check one of these out!

There are still some who insist on a full size van, but I personally think that you get plenty of vehicle for your money when choosing a wheelchair accessible vehicle for a senior with disabilities.

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