Ask Ben: Getting a Wheelchair Accessible Van

My husband has ALS and is no longer able to transfer into a car comfortably. Now our family can no longer take short trips together. I was wondering about the possibility of getting a wheelchair accessible van. Can you tell me how to best go about that?

- Karen, Mahwah, NJ

The purchase of a new or even used adapted vehicle can be costly, so there are a number of things to carefully evaluate when considering obtaining a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

One option is the outright purchase of an adapted vehicle. You can find adapted vehicles listed online or in the newspaper, or at some dealerships. But you need to be knowledgeable about vehicles. An adapted vehicle has the standard issues of car ownership…brakes, mileage, engine, tires, and also the added issue of a working wheelchair ramp. The ramp itself can be $3,000-$6,000 to repair. The cost is higher, if the ramp needs to be replaced. You can find used adapted vehicles starting at $5,000. (Buyer beware!) At a dealership, they could potentially offer a few months guarantee, which could afford you some recourse if you run into problems right away. New adapted vehicles can run up to $50-$60,000. This option is unfortunately cost prohibitive for many families, however, if you are able, you will then have constant access to a vehicle to come and go as needed.

Another option you might want to consider is a rental. Renting an accessible vehicle can be done just to get away for a day, or combine a trip to a restaurant or visit with a friend following a clinic visit. I encourage families to take advantage of this option at least once, if only to determine if it is something you would be comfortable doing again in the future.

In New York and New Jersey, there are a few companies that rent accessible vans, and the cost is not much higher than renting a car. Because there are only a few of these companies, you may have to drive to pick up the vehicle, and then drive it home to transfer the person with ALS into it. It may differ from having your own car, and there are some per trip costs, but being able to ‘get out’ is important. Each family must decide if it is worth it.

Since accessible vehicles are not as readily available as standard cars, advance planning is recommended. Even if you don’t need a vehicle at this time, contact the companies in your area, to know where they are located, and what the rental process is in advance. It will help be prepared if a need or opportunity comes up unexpectedly. For a list of companies that rent accessible vehicles in the New York/New Jersey area, please contact me.

Lastly, while our loan program does have a few wheelchair accessible vehicles, there is great demand and short supply, and therefore the waiting list to receive such a van can be quite lengthy, and could be as long as a year.

Regardless of which option is right for you and your family, having access to an adapted vehicle provides an extended range of involvement and independence.

- Ben

Ben Lieman, ATP, MSW is the Assistive Technology Specialist with the Greater New York Chapter, advising patients and caregivers about medical equipment, home accessibility, and augmentative communications devices. To ask Ben a question, simply email him at blieman@als-ny.org or call at (212) 720-3057. Ben will answer all questions directly as usual, but not all questions will appear in the Monthly Update.