Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and wheelchair size.

[Seasider12]

I'm after some advice regarding a wheelchair adapted vehicle and wheelchair please. My wife is using a standard wheelchair at the minute but we're expecting over the next year or two to need a more substantial wheelchair. When applying for a WAV we have to enter wheelchair dimensions. Because it's a five year motability lease I'm trying to future proof the vehicle for us. Can anyone tell me what wheelchair you are using so I can check out the measurements?Thanks in advance.

[Derkie54]

Hello,

We have a WAV and details of the wheelchair we use are shown below.

One thing to bear in mind is that you need to have a crash tested wheelchair, has your WAV supplier mentioned this ?

If you have to use hospital transport for any reason they insist on it. Our previous wheelchair was not a crash tested one and they refused to pick us up.

The one shown below is crash tested so no problem and easily fits in our Peugeot Rifter WAV.

completecareshop.co.uk/mobi...

Regards

Derek

[Ovx823k]

Hi, I think you will need a aTransit size vehicle if you think she will need bigger wheel chair in the future.

[Jemima14]

Hi! We are in a similar situation, awaiting a demo of a WAV next week.

My husband uses an Ergo Pro folding wheelchair 20” wide. We bought it 14 months ago when his condition was much less severe. It was really only meant for hospital appointments etc when long walks may be required. . It comes in different widths and is crash tested. It is too wide to get round some of the corners in our home without removing the footplates.

Our Neuro nurse has referred my husband to the wheelchair service (didn’t even know it existed!)for a made to measure, powered chair so we are managing with the ‘manual’ one in the meantime although no idea how long it will take.

Good luck with your search.

[Monkeyfeet1]

thank you for asking thos question Seasider. I wasn’t aware that the wheelchair had to be crash-tested. I got mine from wheelchair services and this was their reply:

I can confirm your Q300M Mini is crash tested and you can safely use it in your WAV.

[Seasider12 in reply to Monkeyfeet1]

Thanks for your reply. If you don't mind answering how bad is your mobility. Sue is just managing to walk with support but I'm trying to future proof a vehicle.

It's not easy guessing how fast things might progress.

Take care.

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to Seasider12]

I can’t walk at all . I’m in an electric wheelchair standard sized. You’re right in planning for the future. Good luck 😉

[Seasider12 in reply to Monkeyfeet1]

Thanks once again.

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to Seasider12]

No thank YOU c

[fixedit in reply to Monkeyfeet1]

I’m getting a Q300M as well. I also got PIP mobility, so we are thinking now about rear loading and side loading vehicles. Which to get? It would be nice to travel next to my wife.

Tim

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to fixedit]

just taken delivery

WAV

[Seasider12 in reply to Monkeyfeet1]

Very nice.

[Monkeyfeet1 in reply to Seasider12]

Thank you. I can’t wait to go out in it!

[Seasider12 in reply to fixedit]

Hi Tim.We'd love it if we could get a wav where Sue could sit next to me. Is there such a vehicle?

[fixedit in reply to Seasider12]

There is. Have a look at this: sirusautomotive.co.uk/vehic...

There may be others too..

Tim

[fixedit in reply to fixedit]

Nice!

[Seasider12 in reply to fixedit]

Upfront payment is out of our budget unfortunately.

[fixedit in reply to Seasider12]

That’s a pity. Do you qualify for one of the motability grants? They cover the upfront cost.🤞

[Seasider12 in reply to fixedit]

We do but I didn't think they'd pay so much. We've been offered £4095 for a small wav. That's why I'm trying to sort out a different wheelchair to get a bigger vehicle.

[cejw]

Hello. I've been following the forum for several months now, but this is my first time posting.

My husband began experiencing balance problems in 2020, and quickly progressed from using a stick to a rollator. By 2023 his mobility was poor. Following falls, he spent two months in hospital, where the neurology team tried to stabilise his severe orthostatic hypotension. In December 2023 he was discharged and subsequently given a tilt-in-space Rea Azalea wheelchair (and a hoist). We had imagined that when the time for a wheelchair came, it would be a standard, folding type.

Finding a WAV proved tricky because of the size of the wheelchair, and we had to rule out a number of WAVs. Height was a particular problem. We eventually bought a Renault Kangoo, which a local firm had adapted. It only has the driver's and front passenger seat, which we like as it makes it easier to converse, as he is closer to the front. The WAV has proved excellent.

Susan

[Seasider12]

Bit of an update regarding our search for a wav. Had a demo yesterday of a Ford Grand Torneo Connect and unfortunately it was no good at all. First problem was Sue's sat right at the back so I couldn't hear her if she needed anything.

There's no heating or air con in the back and because of Sue's condition she struggles to control body temperature.

Lastly the ride was shocking because the wheelchair sits right over the rear axle.

I'm waiting to hear from Motability Grant Foundation to see what our next step is.