subject: Wheelchair Van Categories [print this page] A wheelchair van can really be a godsend for a person with a disability that has confined them to a wheelchair. Think about this for a moment. Imagine what your life would be like if you had to depend on someone else to take you on an errand as simple and routine as grocery shopping. For all too many people in wheelchairs, this is a painful reality of daily life. Wheelchair vans can greatly increase people's mobility, whether they end up driving them themselves or not. They're available in what boils down to two major categories: rear entry and side entry.
Each of these types of vans has its own unique set of pros and cons. Let's consider those of the rear entry van to begin with. Rear entry vans have two major benefits. One of those benefits is that they usually have a lot of room in the back. That means they can often accommodate two wheelchair users in the same van. Also, wheelchair vans can be parked in any regular parking spot, so you aren't limited to handicap spots only. One drawback, on the other hand, is that such vans aren't good for parallel parking. Another drawback is that they are harder to customize with the features that allow the handicapped person to drive themselves.
Another category of vans which we'll examine is side entry vans. The positives here are opposite the negatives pertinent to rear entry vans. On the positive side, these vans are very easy to fit into parallel parking spaces. So, if parallel parking is something you'll do a lot of in your neck of the woods, you may want to strongly consider this option. Also, it's a lot easier with these for the wheelchair user to get into the front passenger's seat, or even to drive. You will need at least a handicap parking spot with these, however, and there usually isn't as much room in the back of them.
So, as you've seen, both categories of vans have their share of advantages and disadvantages. The real key to the differences is whether or not the wheelchair user wants to drive. In general, if they do, then it's better to go with side entry. If this isn't a factor, then a rear entry wheelchair van has some attractive advantages as well. Both of them are available at a range of price points, depending on whether the equipment is new or used.
