While any vehicle can be converted to accommodate a wheelchair user, a more comfortable alternative is a wheelchair van, which has a hand control device to make driving easy. There are two types of wheelchair vans – one where the wheelchair user is a passenger and another where the user is the driver.

The first type of wheelchair van requires simple and minimal alterations. Usually, a wheelchair ramp or a lift is all that is needed for the wheelchair user to board and get off the vehicle. If the wheelchair user will be driving, the wheelchair van will need more modifications to suit the need of the user.

Driving a wheelchair van is a serious responsibility. The wheelchair user has to be assessed by authorities to determine if he or she is qualified to drive. Only then will the person be given a driver’s license. There are assessment centers for this purpose that can effectively evaluate the needs of the person as well as recommend the most suitable wheelchair van to use. It is recommended to seek the advice of professionals experienced in dealing with wheelchair users and vendors.

In assessing the capabilities of a wheelchair user to drive a wheelchair van, a professional would examine the person’s level of eyesight, hearing, mental ability, decision-making, perception and the physical ability to transfer from the wheelchair to the van and to take the wheelchair in and out of the van.

Thanks to modern technology there are numerous devices that can aid the use of a wheelchair van. For instance, if the person is not able to transfer the wheelchair to the wheelchair van he or she can use a wheelchair lift, which runs without human help.

While a wheelchair van is expensive, many manufacturers provide financial services to make these useful vehicles affordable. You can start by visiting the site of major wheelchair van manufacturers to get more information about funding and other financial plans. You can also speak with your insurance company to find out if you can get better rates or look for grant programs offered by some non-profit organizations.

As an alternative to a brand new wheelchair van, you can also look for a used wheelchair van from reputable vendors. There are also mini-vans that have been converted to carry a wheelchair onto the van and secure the wheelchair while inside the moving vehicle. These converted vans are also affordable options.

Whether you plan to purchase a new or wheelchair van, consider getting an extended warranty service so you can save yourself some repair money later on.

Wheelchair seat covers play a very important role in providing comfort to an injured or handicapped person. And for the user, a Merino wool cushion for the wheelchair gives comfort among other materials that can be used. It aids in keeping the patient warm during cold temperatures. Armrest covers also provide soft comfort to the patient and the luxurious Merino wool cover gives a very soft surface.

Wheelchair seat covers serve as a preventive measure for “bed sores” that does not really come from the bed but from chaffing of the patient’s skin against the bed or the chair’s surface. Since the patient is not moving, the blood flow to the skin is very slow causing skin lesions.

Wool is the top choice for most wheelchair seat covers because of its soft feel and insulating capabilities. The outer part of the fabric drives back water and the inner part absorbs the moisture. Wool has high absorption properties that can retain great amount of moisture keeping the seat cover warm for the patient.

There are a few types of wool sources that make good wheelchair seat covers. Alpacas and Llamas provide good, strong wools. They are actually softer and lighter than sheep’s wool. These wools are actually cultured in environments free from pesticides. They are not dyed or bleached and they do not contain grease or lanolin.

In cleaning the wool, you can use a wool wash solution that has Lanolin to improve the gleam of the wool. Most wool wash solutions are made from Tea Tree Oil that is known to be very effective against dust mites, cause of allergies, fungi and bacteria. It is also good for preventing skin irritations because of its gentle properties.

The only disadvantage of using wool as wheelchair seat covers is that insects like a moth larva and carpet beetle tend to eat them. Because wool contains protein, a moth larva, not adult moths, may eat wheelchair seat covers made of the material creating huge holes.

For taking care of woolen wheelchair seat covers, it is advisable to clean the fabric extensively using insect deterrents and then store it in hand-woven baskets. Ideally, wheelchair seat covers should be kept inside cotton bags and then sealed to allow the wool fabric to breathe. Plastic bags are not recommended because they can contain moisture that will eventually lead to molds and mildew.

Wool is the perfect fabric to use as wheelchair seat covers. However, proper knowledge on how to care of them is needed to retain their quality.

For wheelchair users, getting around and climbing stairs is very difficult. A wheelchair ramp aids the wheelchair in moving from one level to a higher level. It allows greater freedom to a wheelchair user because he or she no longer has to depend on someone else to get up or down stairs or to get in or out of an elevated room or a vehicle.

A wheelchair ramp comes in various sizes and lengths. Material wise, the choices are aluminum and wood. An aluminum wheelchair ramp is the ideal choice because its construction features a lightweight yet durable design, even stronger than wood. It easy to configure an aluminum wheelchair ramp and you can disassemble and set them up again at various locations. It can be quickly installed and there is no need for you to get a building permit. You can have it installed as a permanent or temporary structure. Additionally, the surface of an aluminum wheelchair ramp needs very little maintenance.

The other option is a wood wheelchair ramp but this one is not very cost-effective because of its high and yearly maintenance costs. Installation requires a contractor as well as a building permit. It may also take a few days to build. Unlike the aluminum type, you will not be able to adjust, re-adjust or move a wooden wheelchair ramp. It is also not suitable to environments where there is snow or those near salt-water bodies, which is not a problem with an aluminum ramp.

The construction of an aluminum wheelchair ramp will depend on the dimensions of your wheelchair such as its length, height and width as well as the size of your home. According to the ADA code, for every inch of elevation there should be a foot of ramp run. This means that if total elevation of a room and steps is 20 inches, the ramping should be 20 feet. Exceptions to this rule apply only when there are restrictions in space.

If you are making a wheelchair ramp that is more than 30 feet, it would need an interval platform for resting, which should be as wide as the ramp it leads to and at least 60 inches long. Any wheelchair ramp with a rise that is more than 6 inches requires a handrail on both ramp sides.

In purchasing or making a wheelchair ramp, you need to be well-informed. Do not hesitate to ask experts for recommendations and advice not only to ensure you get your money’s worth but also to guarantee safety.

A wheelchair is truly a valuable device for people with various mobility problems. It helps them to get around their homes and outdoors without having to always rely on someone’s help. A wheelchair offers a disabled or injured person a feeling of independence as they are able to move from one place to another freely.

There are two basic types of wheelchair that can be used depending on the person’s need - the manual wheelchair and the motorized or powered wheelchair. The difference of course is that the manual type requires human power to be propelled while the latter runs on batteries.

Just like in any other mechanical device, there will come a time when the wheelchair parts will have to be replaced if not repaired. Most wheelchair parts are easily available especially with the advent of the Internet. You can browse through numerous online manufacturers and dealers to find the wheelchair parts you need for replacement.

Some examples of wheelchair parts that are often replaced are batteries, battery chargers, drive belts, tires, joystick controls, wheel bearings, electric motors, footrests, arm rests, calf pads, gearboxes, motors, hand rims, brakes, among others.

Aside from wheelchair parts, which are necessary for the wheelchair to function, there are also numerous accessories that can be purchased to increase comfort and convenience. These accessories are indeed very helpful to wheelchair bound people who may find it difficult to accomplish daily functions such as taking a shower.

Some example of wheelchair accessories to include in your wheelchair parts purchase are shower seats, cushions, wheelchair ramps, tray tables, drainage bag covers, drop arm commodes and many others. These accessories are commonly available where wheelchair parts are sold.

Purchasing online will be the most convenient way to obtain wheelchair parts and accessories but just like in any online purchase, make sure you are dealing with a secure online store. Secure sites usually have a URL address that starts with “https” and/or the Verizon security seal.

There are many excellent money-saving deals online so you need to really take the time to do some Internet window shopping but other than the price, you also need to consider the level of service that the store offers. Check the store’s warranty terms for some wheelchair parts as well as the store’s return or refund policies in case the wheelchair parts delivered to you are broken or damaged.

Most online stores will also feature helpful tips in choosing wheelchair parts and will be glad to answer your questions or inquiries so do not hesitate to contact them should you need more information about making a purchase.