its time to buy a van w/ lift where do I start

[cancer_survivor_06]

I haven't really talked w/ anyone yet about this as I am not really sure where to start. My dd is currently wheelchair bound w/ very limited walking mobility. We have known for awhile now that my next vehicle will be a van, I drive a nissan altima right now. I am a little stressed and overwhelmed w/ this right now b/c we just bought a house and my dh works on a oil rig in the gulf coast and while up until now his job has not been at risk but we are treading on thin ice right now. The transmission in my car is hanging on by a thread as well so this is my reason for starting to research my options. I would like to buy the honda odyssey and I have looked at a couple online that I like that are used but not sure I can add a lift to them or not. Are there certain year models that the lift can't be added so that stay away from them. Of course my other questions are how much is the lift and will my insurance or medicaid cover any of the costs of the lift.

 

[Michigan]

I have had both a side lift and rear lift and would never have a side lift again. So much easier to find a parking place with the rear lift. In Michigan we have an additional insurance called Children's Special Health Care Services and it does help pay for van modifications.

Cindy

 

[peemagg]

I see that some of the car companies (I know GM does) will give you a credit towards installation of equipment. Others might do other things. I would look at the website for the company you are looking to buy from and see if there is some type of credit they can give you.

You might also want to look for a used lift van.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I would suggest looking in your area for a NMEDA certified dealer and repair place. They can work with you to figure out what will work best for your family and help you find either a used vehicle with a lift or ramp or a used vehicle that would work best for adapting. Plus, if you work with them, you'll know where to take the vehicle for any repairs!

 

[Bearshouse]

You didn't say how old your DD was. If you are still going to transfer her to a seat in the van I would suggest getting a folding ramp. They are only $500ish. You would be able to push the chair up it and then fold it up and put it in the van. It weighs about 45lbs just so you know.

It works for us because DS10 is only 45lbs and sits in a special car seat. His chair is 175lbs.

We found that our insurance called it a luxury for a lift, the dealer credit is about $1,000 and must be a new vehicle, and the total cost is for a lift and modifications is around $20,000.

Goodluck.

Bearshouse

 

[dclfun]

Remember that if your daughter is going to stay in her w/c, then you will need a lowered floor so that her head doesn't hit the ceiling and tie-downs for her w/c, preferably an EZ-lock. A bolt would need to be installed under her chair for an EZ-lock. While Medicaid or insurances do not cover lifts or vehicle adaptations, there may be a Medicaid Waiver program in your state that helps with these costs. I'm nor sure what the application process is like but you may want to talk to your social worker or if you don't have one, ask her pediatrician for a referral.---Kathy

 

[cancer_survivor_06]

Thank you everyone for the replies, I have more things to think about and discuss w/ my dh. Thank you wheeledtraveler for the link I wasn't sure where to start to find someone local that provides those services . My dd just turned 7 on the 21st, she weighs around 45 pounds right now I transfer her to the britax that we have right now I am using a marathon and we also have a traveller plus. I really prefer for her to be in the carseat but realisticly I know I will not be able to put her in it forever. The biggest reason is not that she will out grow them but I will no longer be able to move her to the carseat. Today is actually her first time riding the bus to school in the 5yrs that she has been going to school. I try to have as much info as possible before I start talking to dd's docs and therapis and I pulled up a website the other day but it had about 90% advertisements, so I figured I would check here to see where some of you started and where you buy from.

 

[Bearshouse]

Here is the link to the portable ramp we use for our van. It also doubles to get into my parents house.

http://www.pviramps.com/products/items/2

We have had it 5 years it has some wear and tear but still works perfect. We feel safer with DS in his carseat too.

Bearshouse

 

[SueM in MN]

There are several things you can do:
- portable ramp to push the empty wheelchair into the van
- lowered floor minivan with a ramp
- full size van with a lift

For minivans, if the person is going to drive /be pushed into the van in their wheelchair, you will need a lowered floor van with a ramp. You can't add those to a minivan later; they are huge modifications.

If you have a full sized van, you can add a lift later, but would need to plan before so that you buy a van that can accomodate the lift.

There are several major brands that are the major 'players' in wheelchair accessible vans. Those companies buy vans from the major auto companies and then modify them to be accessible vans. They all have local dealers in various parts of the US and many are members of NMEDA that was mentioned by a previous poster.
All the US automakers have mobility programs which will give rebates for accessibility equipment. Exactly how much money depend on what modifications were made.

Braun makes the Entervan and also a rear entry van. We are on our 3rd Entervan, side entry van and like it very much. We had also looked at rear entry vans - which does solve the problem of needing space on the side to lower the ramp. For us, it just was not a good 'fit' - there was not enough storage space in the back.

Braun also makes lifts that can be added to a full size van.

Rollx is another big player.

VMI is the other big company I am aware of.

I would suggest looking at those websites - they have pretty good pictures and some even have videos. Then, look for dealers for the ones that look most interesting to you. You will find that most of the companies use Chrysler and Dodge vans . One reason is the size and another is that those vans already have power doors for the rear doors.

There are a couple of big companies for the tiedowns - for ones you hook up yourself, Q'Straint is one of the most popular.

There are also automatic tiedown systems, like the EZLock system that was mentioned. We had one of those when DD had a power wheelchair that did not have built in spots to secure the tiedown straps. When she got a new wheelchair with built in spots, we did not use the EZLock anymore and did not get it on our new van. FOr us, we are happier without it, but for some people, it is a necessity - like someone who is driving their van from a wheelchair and would not be able to attach the tiedown straps.