From: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org (Keith Jones)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Minivan Wheelchair Lift
Date: 9 Oct 92 20:56:27 GMT
Reply-To: Keith.Jones@p13.f15.n114.z1.fidonet.org
Organization: FidoNet node 1:114/15.13 - St Joes Hospital, Phoenix AZ
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 24795

[This is from the Spinal Injury Conference]

 RT> I am going to be in New York in about three weeks and I
 RT> wanted very much to
 RT> have some leads to follow by then.  Thanks very much for your time.

 RT> My question is:

 RT> My mother is confined to a wheelchair and my father is not able to get
 RT> her into the car.  I suggested that they get a mini-van with a
 RT> wheelchair lift.  Could anyone help me with the following questions?

 RT> 1) What is the best combination of lift and mini-van?
 RT>    I would like that the mini-van be equipped with both ABS and an
 RT>    airbag?  What models are the best suited for such lifts?  What if
 RT>    any are the restrictions on van size and lift capacity?
 RT> 2) Does the insurance pay for this or is it tax deductible?
 RT> 3) Can anyone recommend a dealer in the North Eastern USA (New York)?

I have a good friend in Cleveland who I was seriously considering
going into business with in the van-wheelchair adaption business. I
will tell you what he told me. As far as putting a lift into a
mini-van, you would be better off getting a full size Ford van.
Cost and labor is more expensive than it would be to put a lift in
a full size van. Ford vans are by far the easiest to work on and if
the floor is going to be dropped, they are the only ones that don't
require cutting into the van's frame. There are many, many other
reasons my friend told me for going with Fords though I can't
recall all of them. I do know that he said working on anything
besides a Ford can be a real pain  and end up being very
expensive.

However, I have been in a friend's mini-van that has a hydraulic
fold out ramp. I also rented a mini-van with a similiar setup. Your
father would have to be able to push your mother's wheelchair up a
slight incline to get her into the van. Once in, she would either
have to ride in her chair which would require him to make sure she
is properly tied down. This can be a real task since there is not
alot of room in a mini-van. Or she would have to be able to move
from her wheelchair to the passenger's seat which it doesn't sound
like she can do.

As far as insurance, it depends on what kind of insurance. I have
Ohio Worker's Compensation and my equipment is completely paid for.
Most people are not as fortunate.

I would highly recommend the shop where I had two vans converted in
Cleveland. They do alot of out of state work. They have an
excellent reputation and I'll vouch for them. I now live in Phoenix
where I have not been able to locate anybody who has a decent
knowledge on what is needed to convert a van for a wheelchair user.
The name of the place is D&S Custom Vans and M. C. Mobility. They
do van customizations and also wheelchair van modifications. Their
phone number is 216-946-2178 or 216-951-4335. Ask for Mark DiRosa.
He in charge of the work on the vans for wheelchair users. Let me
know if I can be of anymore assistance.

-Keith-

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