Category — accessible wheelchair vans

Wheelchair vans can be excellent options to increase mobility and quality of life. However, it is extremely important to take precautions and consider all of your options carefully when buying such a vehicle. We encourage you to think about several different options regarding your needs. So, what do you need to know? What types of the decisions are there?

The first thing you need to think about is what type of brand of van it is that you want and need. For instance, Honda Odyssey wheelchair vans are enormously popular. Honda is a brand synonymous with quality, durability, comfort and longevity. Retrofitted Odyssey minivans can be excellent solutions. Of course, there are many other brands available, including those from the Big Three.

The next step is to determine if you want to buy new or used. New vans are great options, but used handicap vans are more affordable. A common misconception surrounds the word “used” mean low quality. With wheelchair vans, this is not the case. You can find models that have been certified by expert technicians.
Next, you and your family should think about what the best option in wheelchair lifts for you. Vantage Mobility International (VMI) is a well-known brand in South Dakota. Scooter lifts are vital considerations for those who rely on a power scooter to get around, rather than on a wheelchair. IMED Mobility in Tea, South Dakota can help you decide what the best mobility options are for you are is.

The final thing you need to think about is what else do you need in your wheelchair van? If you will be riding (or driving) in your wheelchair, then wheelchair tie-downs and restraints are required to keep you secure on the road. If you want to drive, then you will need to find a van that offers hand controls or even a swing-out passenger seat. This allows you to enter the vehicle through the passenger front door, instead of through the sliding side door.

Make sure that regardless of what you choose in a van that you are sure to choose a dealer with a reputation for high quality products and top-notch service.

IMED Mobility locations offer customers the innovative Sure Grip hand controls to aid in driving their wheelchair vans. The Roseville, Minnesota location will now have all four different styles on display.

These include a “lock out” disable feature which comes in handy if someone else is driving the van because the driver cannot accidentally hit the brake or the gas. “This really comes into play when you take your vehicle into a service station or to get the oil changed,” Ron Iverson of IMED Mobility in Roseville said. “There have been numerous incidents of techs smashing someone’s vehicle by accidentally hitting the gas on the hand controls.”

Four Types of Hand Controls
1. The Push/Rock Hand Control is the original Sure Grip device which allows a driver to keep both hands on the wheel and is the lowest fatigue available. By pushing forward for break and locking for gas, this convenient hand control position is the most versatile of anything on the market.

2. To operate the Push/Right –Angle, a person pushes forward for break and pulls down for gas, allowing for continual contact with the steering wheel while accelerating. The shortened throw system stays out of a driver’s lap and has a shorter stroke, making acceleration easier. No need to worry about extra leg clearance while accelerating.

3. The Push/ Pull hand control also has a shortened handle. Push this handle forward to break and pull back for gas. The shortened handle reduces the amount and range of moving components while acceleration. It also allows your hand to maintain contact with the steering wheel while at all times applying accelerating. This frees up your other hand to operate secondary functions while driving down the road. The Sure Grip Push/Pull control is much more comfortable to use than other Push/Pull controls on the market and has plenty of leg room.

4. The last new hand control is the Push/ Twist, which has a great pedal feel and an adjustable handle to allow for maximum comfort. By pushing forward for breaking and twisting for gas, this hand control offers smooth acceleration and easy breaking. The standard adjustable thumb/hand support is utilized to provide leverage to reduce fatiguing while accelerating.

If you have any questions about the Sure Grip hand controls please contact our mobility consultants at IMED Mobility in Roseville, Minnesota or Tea, South Dakota by visiting imedmobility.com or dial toll free at (800) 570-0236.

MINNEAPOLIS — With the help of the Twins and the votes from the fans, the Courage Center’s Rolling Twins youth softball wheelchair team will have a proper field to play on.

The team had been playing in a wheelchair accessible parking lot of a library because it didn’t have the necessary funds to play on a true field. But that will all change, thanks to the Twins and the Pepsi Refresh Challenge.

With voting having concluded at midnight ET on Tuesday, the Twins were named the winners of the $200,000 grant that would go to the project of the organization’s choice.

“It’s a tremendous feeling, because those people are the real heroes,” said Michael Cuddyer, the Twins player representative for the project, said. “I’m just grateful I’m in a position where I was able to help them.”

The Twins finished on top after nearly two million people cast their votes, thus leading the other 14 teams that participated. Voting took place for five weeks, with fans being able to pick their favorites online or via text message.

Cuddyer urged fans to help the softball team in a video featured on the Pepsi Refresh Project page on MLB.com and often reminded and thanked fans for voting on his Twitter page. To see the idea become a reality is something special to him and the rest of the Twins organization.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re in a wheelchair or if you’re running around the bases, you deserve to have actual bases to go around,” Cuddyer said. “These kids are now going to be able to play on a real field rather than play in a parking lot. It’s a place where they can call home now.”

During the All-Star break, 15 teams pitched in their ideas, asking fans to help them make a difference in their communities through the Pepsi Refresh Project. The Project will award more than $20 million this year to fund various ideas that help impact the world through social good, and it teamed up with MLB to do so.

The 14 other teams that participated will each receive $5,000 to help fund their ideas. Fans can visit MLB.com/pepsirefresh for more information on all of the teams’ ideas.

By Jocelyn Syrstad / MLB.com and found at: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100818&content_id=13595506&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
Click here to view the video

“The ADA, 20 Years Later,” an Executive Summary complied by the Kessler Foundation, surveyed Americans with disabilities. New findings as of July 2010, found that people with disabilities are more likely to state that they face transportation challenges.

People with disabilities are much more likely than people without disabilities to consider inadequate transportation a problem (34% vs. 16%). However, transpiration appears to have become a problem for both people with and without disabilities. An increase from 30% in 2004 to 34% in 2010 for people with disabilities and from 13% in 2004 to 16% for people without disabilities was found. This could in fact be due to the economic factors.

Times may be tough financially for you and your family. Based on ADA’s new findings, if you are having troubles acquiring adequate transportation you are not alone. If you think you cannot afford a wheelchair accessible van, don’t simply give up. Please talk to one of our mobility consultants at IMED Mobility in Tea, South Dakota to price used vans and see what other services are available to you.

Depending upon your budget, you might not know whether you should buy a new or used wheelchair accessible van. If you want the latest model van and conversion, and you do not want to drive something that another person has driven, you should buy new. Those who are on a budget or who do not care if they have the latest model may want to check out the used vans in stock.

To find the best mobility van for your needs, you will want to contact one of our reps for a consultation. If you decide you need some extra help in affording a van, our mobility consultants can help you with a lender and/or their local bank.

Jack Reich, mouth painting artist and author, came to IMED Mobility in Tea, SD yesterday, accompanied by his daughter Kathy, to pick up his silver 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan with the Amerivan Conversion by Eldorado. This is Jack’s first wheelchair accessible van.

Jack was born with a birth defect that limited the use of his arms and legs. He overcame these issues in his own way, learning to paint and draw with his mouth and became a member of the Association of Foot and Mouth Painters of the World. He focuses his paintings on country inspiration he has found living in western South Dakota.

He also has written three novels. Jack likes to focus on the Sioux Indians and would categorize his novels as fantasy fiction in the way that they do not depict life as it happened but perhaps the way it should have happened.

Jack has three daughters and is from Isabel, SD.

If you want to save some money on your handicap accessible van, no matter the size or style that you choose, you can buy used.

IMED Mobility in Tea, SD and Roseville, MN has a variety of used vans ready for purchase. The used vans are a great choice for anyone who doesn’t have enough to afford a brand new model. They have safety features and plenty of options just like the new vans do, and they will come with a warranty. Take care of your used van with regular maintenance for the vehicle and the mobility equipment and it will last a long time.

When you are in the market for a new or used wheelchair van, no matter the model you want, give IMED a call. We can help you find the van you want with all the features you need.

Shopping for your wheelchair accessible van is an exciting experience. Wheelchair vans can offer you an incredible amount of freedom. One of the best perks of having a van is the power to no longer rely on someone else. With the use of a hand control and your wheelchair van, you can be completely independent.

You will be able to browse the different vehicles that are available and find something that matches with your aesthetic sensibilities and personal needs. With dozens of different van conversions and models available, you should be able to find a van that is just right for you. Sometimes, however, choosing a vehicle that is the right fit for you can be a bit stressful.

The first step you need to take is to contact a certified mobility consultant to ensure that you pick the vehicle you pick is right for you, with as little stress as possible. Mobility consultants can make sure you are aware of the different types of conversions and accessories that fit your specific requirements.

Contact a mobility consultant to learn more about wheelchair vans today!

IMED Mobility in Tea, SD and Roseville has some of the best certified mobility consultants out there. Don’t hesitate to give IMED a call or stop on in.

IMED Mobility in Tea: 1-866-803-2200

IMED Mobility in Roseville: 1-800-788-7479

Finding a good wheel chair accessible hotel can be a challenge. With so many lodging options from which to choose, disabled travelers need a quick way to compare hotels and identify the accommodations that best meet their special needs.

The following trip planning steps serve as a guide to help you choose the right wheel chair accessible hotel that can make the difference between a great vacation or a frustrating trip.

1. Begin by narrowing your list of hotel choices.

While wheel chair accessibility is the top priority for a disabled traveler, many travel agents and travel reservation sites forget that a person with a disability has other needs too.

In addition to good mobility access, disabled travelers are also interested in amenities such as a swimming pool, restaurants in the hotel, pet accommodations, and internet access.

Therefore, look for reservations sites that offer advanced search capabilities that allow you to select the specific accommodations you need and amenities you desire. This will enable you to develop a list of viable lodging choices for your trip.

2. Call the hotel directly and ask questions.

Calling each wheel chair accessible hotel and asking the following questions can quickly determine if the hotel is disability-friendly and right for you.

• “Do you provide special disability services?” This should be the first question you ask. The answer you receive will immediately indicate the property’s experience and desire in assisting disabled travelers.
• “Which floors are the disabled rooms located?” It is important to be on or near the ground floor in case of an emergency, especially when elevators are not in service.
• “Are the disabled rooms ADA compliant?” If the answer is yes (and it should be), ask for specifics on how the room is equipped to accommodate ADA guidelines.
• “Can the beds and other furniture be moved in order to make the room more comfortable and accessible?” Depending on the room size and configuration, you may not need to make any adjustments. Yet, it is a good question to ask particularly if you are unfamiliar with the hotel brand.
• “How high is the bed and is it easily accessible from a standard wheelchair?” Some hotel beds rise 30 inches or more from the floor. While, wheelchair seats may be under 18 inches. Be sure to confirm that the bed height will enable you to easily get into bed without assistance.
• “Does the hotel provide a wheel chair accessible shuttle to nearby tourist attractions and public transportation?”
• “Is disabled or handicap parking available?” You may want to follow-up by asking how many spaces are allocated per wheelchair accessible room.

3. Listen “between the lines.”

A disabled traveler should be listening for clues that indicate the hotel has a good understanding of the difficulties faced by an individual with a disability.

If the reservation desk at the wheel chair accessible hotel is knowledgeable about ADA requirements such as passages, counter heights, door hardware, bathroom fixtures, and roll-in showers, there is a good chance the property frequently serves disabled guests.

However, be wary of a hotel representative that appear to promise too much. If the hotel seems too good to be true… it probably is

Purchasing a wheelchair accessible van might seem like a crazy thing to do. There really aren’t too many people who have these vans. As technology advances, though, those who have mobility problems are finding that more and more often they can easily travel whenever and wherever they want. Some vans are meant to have handicapped passengers, while others can even be outfitted with equipment so that someone who doesn’t have full use of his legs can still drive with hand controls.

Any vehicle, new or used, represents a major financial investment, one that’s going to start depreciating as soon as you start using it. This means that it’s vital to put some real thought into what you’re going to get when you’re choosing a van for yourself or your loved one. Here are some tips on getting the best possible wheelchair accessible van for your needs.

The first step is to research all your options. When many people think of handicap vehicles, they think of full size vans with wheelchair ramps or lifts. Today, though, many of these mobility vehicles are actually minivans. Minivans can make things simpler because they don’t require as much space, get better gas mileage, and are easier for the average driver to maneuver. A full size van is still a good option, though, especially if you need a lot of space.

Besides these options, though, there are also lots of minor details that can change from van to van. You need to look at things like automatic wheelchair tie downs and hand controls for the automobile. You can also check out different types of ramp and lift systems so that you find that one that’s best suited to both your wheelchair or scooter and your needs.

After you know what you’d like, make sure you know how much you can afford. Look at the insurance rates on the wheelchair accessible van or vans that you like. Also, find out what type of automobile loan you can get. This will give you some direction as you’re shopping around and trying to figure out which exact van to get. It’s important to shop for this major purchase for a while and not to make any snap decisions. Plus, you may even want to travel outside of your immediate area, as you’ll get more options if you do this. Shopping around after you know what you want can help you get the van with the options you most want for a price you can really afford.