Prior to making a purchase, think about the following points:

Consider your wheelchair or scooter:

The size, dimensions and features of your wheelchair or scooter can greatly influence the vehicle and equipment that will work best for you and can therefore greatly affect the cost of your adaptive equipment and vehicle modifications. It is always preferable to contact a dealer and discuss your needs and desires for your vehicle prior to purchasing your wheelchair or scooter. If you already have your wheelchair or scooter, inform your dealer if you plan on buying a different one soon. This may allow the dealer to recommend adaptive equipment that may be useful for your current and future wheelchair or scooter.

For information on wheelchair safety and compliance (e.g., SAEJ2249) visit
http://www.travelsafer.org/.

Will you be using the vehicle independently or with full-time assistance?

The answer to this question can greatly alter what vehicles and equipment will be appropriate for you. If you have full-time assistance, you can possibly save considerable money by buying manually operated products as opposed to automatic products. If you will be using the vehicle alone, the dealer will offer you adaptive equipment suited to your specific needs and abilities.

Will you be remaining in your wheelchair during ingress and egress from the vehicle, and while the vehicle is in motion ?

This question can also be dependent on your answer to the previous question. Again, your equipment and vehicle options greatly vary depending on whether you remain in your mobility aid or not when entering, exiting or traveling in the vehicle. Your physical abilities play a significant role in the options that are available to you.

Are you driving the vehicle with adaptive equipment or riding as a passenger?

Driving a vehicle with adaptive controls can vary from relatively simple inexpensive modifications such as spinner knobs and hand controls to more complicated and expensive systems costing as much as the vehicle. The process of driving a vehicle with adaptive controls is a serious matter and needs to be undertaken in a very thorough manner with many considerations that only industry professionals can assist you with.

Where and how are you going to use the modified vehicle?

Consider issues such as road conditions in your usage area, weather, number of passengers and cargo weight and size requirements.

The friendly and knowledgable staff at Abilities Unlimited will help you navigate through this maze of options and decisions, and make sure that you purchase what works best for you!