Schetky Bus & Van Sales understands the importance of mobility and independence. We offer a wide selection of high-quality wheelchair accessible vans designed to meet your customers’ individual needs. Our goal is to provide safe, reliable and comfortable transportation solutions.
What are wheelchair accessible vans (WAV)?
Wheelchair vans or wheelchair accessible vans are modified vehicles designed to accommodate individuals using wheelchairs or scooters. These vans are equipped with ramps, lifts and spacious interiors to provide easy access and comfortable transportation for wheelchair and scooter users. For mobility and independence, a wheelchair accessible van could be the perfect solution.
Explore Our Range of Wheelchair Accessible Vans
Our wheelchair accessible vans are Americans with Disability Act (ADA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) compliant to ensure safety, comfort and efficiency in public transportation:
Automatic Ramps and Lifts: Effortlessly enter and exit the van with our state-of-the-art automatic ramps and lift systems.
Spacious Interiors: Enjoy ample space inside for maneuverability, whether you’re a driver or a passenger.
Custom Seating Options: Customize the seating configuration to fit your needs and preferences.
Safety Features: Our vans are equipped with adaptive equipment with advanced safety features, including secure tie-downs and reinforced flooring, to ensure a safe journey every time.
Side-Entry or Rear-Entry Wheelchair Vans
Advantages of Side Entry Wheelchair Accessible Vans
Choose side entry vans when routes or services require quick and safe wheelchair loading, which is best accomplished on the vehicle’s curbside.
Side-entry vans keep wheelchair passengers out of heavy-traffic areas, so they are generally considered safer.
Loading a wheelchair passenger by simply pulling up to a curb or a doorway in a roundabout is also faster. Parallel parking will not create issues with side-entry vans because wheelchair access is at the curb.
Some people find entering the WAV from the side-entry ramp a more dignified experience for the passenger than entering it from the rear cargo area.
Side-entry vans often allow wheelchair users who may want to drive the vehicle themselves to access the driver’s seat easily.
Many side-entry vans allow for additional seating configurations, meaning more ambulatory passengers or caregivers can be seated with the wheelchair user.
Advantages of Rear Entry Wheelchair Accessible Vans
Rear-entry access vans are for fleets where it’s possible to spend more time loading a wheelchair passenger.
Rear-entry access vans are generally more cost-effective than side-entry vans, particularly for minivan fleets.
These vans can fit into any sized parking space, even standard-width spaces, whereas side-entry vans require a wide handicap space to accommodate the side ramp.
They can also pull back into personal driveways and meet the wheelchair customer closer to their door or garage if their driveway has no restrictive slope.
Rear-entry vans can sometimes be configured to carry more than one wheelchair user.
Tip: Know the characteristics of your neighborhoods and whether there are large sloped driveways to determine whether rear-loading or side-entry vans will work for your application. The wheelchair lifts, scooter lifts and ramp locations determine which van best suits your application.
Technology and Safety Features of Wheelchair Accessible Vans
There are two main methods for wheelchairs to enter vehicles: wheelchair lifts and wheelchair ramps.
Wheelchair Lifts
Safely lifts passengers from ground level into the vehicle.
Secures the wheelchair and passenger with restraints and a lap-shoulder belt.
Lift is stored inside the vehicle in a folded, upright position.
Operated using a handheld remote and hydraulics.
Easy to operate for users of all ages.
Available in various platform sizes, all ADA-compliant.
Comes in 800 and 1,000-pound weight capacities.
Wheelchair Ramps
Common in minivans and require a floor-lowering modification to meet ADA standards (slope of 1:6).
Fewer moving parts than lifts but require more vehicle conversion.
Allows wheelchair passengers to navigate into the vehicle.
It may require driver assistance to push the wheelchair into the van.
Fold-Out Ramps
It can be operated manually or electronically via remote control.
Stowed inside the vehicle in a folded position.
It extends outward when deployed and works over impediments like curbs.
Durable and strong; swings out of the way to allow ambulatory passengers access.
In-Floor Ramps
Stowed under the van floor, allowing obstacle-free doorways and more cargo storage.
Provides quieter rides and more space for maneuverability.
It’s deployed by sliding out from under the floor and retracting back when not used.
If you have further questions, including terms of your financing, or want to purchase a van, our team will gladly assist you in finding the best wheelchair accessible van.
At Schetky Bus & Van Sales, we are the best choice for purchasing wheelchair-accessible vans.
Build America Buy America Compliant: A substantial portion of the manufacturing materials of our vans are sourced from the United States. This compliance qualifies our vehicles for more federal assistance programs.
Turnkey Delivery:This is our seamless delivery service to all 50 states, which includes tax, title and licensing on your behalf.
With more than 80 years of experience and a deep understanding of accessibility needs, Schetky Bus & Van Sales is your trusted partner for acquiring the best mobility vans.
For a reliable, compliant and hassle-free experience, choose Schetky Bus & Van Sales — the best place to buy a van.
