Need a helping hand when looking for a wheelchair accessible car?
Looking for a new set of wheels is an exciting time. Freedom, independence, and adventure in one package – your very own car.
Not too long ago, I was looking for a new car, it’s not my first car but I still wanted something that looked good and ideally had a snazzy colour. Obviously, it shouldn’t have been at the top of my priority list when car shopping. I had to do my research and this included looking into whether I wanted:
- A manual or automatic car.
- big or small car – what size car would I be most comfortable driving?
- Petrol, diesel or electric.
No mater who you are, there should always be a good checklist you use when car shopping and that is why we have gathered a list of 8 top tips to use when looking for your next wheelchair accessible car.
8 Top Tips When Looking for a Wheelchair Accessible Car
The Controls
This all boils down to what you are more comfortable with. Personally I prefer a manual car, but I do know many who love their automatic controls. For anyone who is wheelchair accessible car seller/supplier, I am sure you can ask for a test drive or for what they would recommend.
The Seats
When it comes to looking at the size of the car you want/need, this generally gives you an indication of the number of seats you will have too. What we would recommend to keep in mind is the height of the seats.
Cars that have low seats could cause you hassle when getting into and out of the car. In comparison to cars with higher seats that give you ease of motion. Don’t forget to check them out before pulling the trigger.
The Shape Of Your Seat:
Seats are just your basic ”L” shape anymore – there are a number of style options available. Flat, bucket or curved seats etc. Make sure to test how comfortable the seats are and if they offer you the right type of support.
The Seatbelts:
Not all cars allow you to adjust the seatbelt height. This is something worth looking out for. Make sure you are sitting comfortably, at the right height and see if you are happy with your seatbelt height and if not, is it adjustable?
The Seat Controls:
Seating controls are important. When it comes to getting in and out of the car from or into your wheelchair, you need to have room. This is where the seat controls come in. When researching, make sure to check that is it easy enough to move your car seat forwards and back as well as up and down for easy access and comfort.
The Doors
When it comes to viewing potential cars, make sure to test the doors. You want to see if they will work well for you. This means looking to see if the:
- The doors open wide enough for you.
- The door frame is high enough to allow easy access.
- The Handle is east to reach open and close from the outside.
What’s Storage Like?
When picking out your car, the storage of your wheelchair and other potential equipment needs to be taken into account. The storage needs to meet these 2 crucial requirements:
- Is it easily accessible?
- Is there room for your wheelchair?
If the answers is not yes the above 2 questions, it’s best to move onto the next car option.
Accessing The Handbrake:
These days there is a mix of the traditional handbrake that you pull up and its between the passenger and driver seats and now there is automatic handbrake.
When shopping around for your car, you will need to decide which you would prefer and should it be the more traditional, is it easily accessible?
After a day of shopping around, its time to review and potentially discuss the options with your partner, a family member or a friend. What better way to do that then over a cuppa? Pop the kettle on and pick your favourite wheelchair accessible car today!
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