Side Entry Wheelchair Accessible Minivan Benefits

A person who uses a wheelchair can either operate a side-entry minivan (after there has been a driver’s assessment and adaptive driver’s controls have been installed) or sit beside the driver. Consequently, the side-entry minivan is appropriate for drivers who use wheelchairs and for couples and others who would prefer to sit beside each other at the front of the vehicle. Individuals who use mobility devices will also benefit from the choice of full automation or manual operation offered by the side-entry vehicle.

There are other advantages to the side-entry minivan for passengers who use wheelchairs or are ambulatory. A small number of these vehicles allow ramp access on both the driver’s and passenger’s sides. Moreover, a sidewalk is not required for loading wheelchair users onto this minivan’s ramp, making it well suited for street parking. This vehicle also has a larger area than a rear-entry minivan in which to accommodate mobility devices. As a result, two individuals who use wheelchairs can travel in the minivan at one time. Ambulatory passengers will often find a three-person bench in the third row of seating that they can use in this type of converted minivan.