Glossary of Terms Used |
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| Lowered Floor | |||
| This is a conversion where the original floor is removed and a modified replacement fitted. This modification allows easier access for the wheelchair user by reducing the height of the floor thus lessening the angle of ascent into the rear. This negates the need for a power winch. A lowered floor obviously means that there is greater headroom than in a normal vehicle.Care must be exercised when driving over speed control humps or other obstacles. The lowered floor conversion offers discretion to wheelchair users when viewed by passers-by as they appear to be at the same height as the other occupants. | |||
| High Roof | |||
| Generally only commercial vehicle conversions feature a high roof. This is a manufacturing process and the modification is not so extensive. Cost of this type of adaptation is generally lower, however you may require an electric winch or even lowering air suspension if the wheelchair or its incumbent is heavy as the angle of the ramp is often quite severe. If you have a need for privacy we are able to supply privacy coating to the glass at a small additional cost. | |||
| Ramps | |||
Fold Down: These are usually lightweight ramps that are permanently fixed into the rear of the vehicle, are easy to use, and quick to operate. Full width ramps are those that are the full width of the floor area. They may be of single piece construction or a two part hinged fold-out product. Telescopic: Telescopic type ramps consist of two non-permanent ramps that are fixed into retaining holes in the floor of the vehicle when required and stowed in the luggage area of the vehicle when not. They are sometimes regarded as cumbersome and awkward to handle and are becoming something of a rarity nowadays. |
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| Drive From Wheelchair | |||
This is a wheelchair accessible vehicle that has been extensively modified to allow a wheelchair bound driver to drive from a wheelchair thus retaining total independance. Prohibitively expensive when new, there are usually very few available on the second hand market. Expect to find an automated rear (or side) door, automated hydraulic wheelchair lift, automated wheelchair securing system, audible warning devices for un-secured wheelchairs/apparatus, hand controls and an automatic gearbox as an absolute minimum. Please bear in mind when considering these vehicles second hand that you may have to budget for further adaptations to suit you. |
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| Hydraulic Wheelchair Lift | |||
| These are permanent adaptations and are generally fitted to the standard floors of larger vehicles. An expensive fitment when new, but for ease of transferring from the ground into the vehicle it is virtually unbeatable. As with all hydraulic equipment, we strongly recommend that hydraulic wheelchair lifts receive a regular annual servicing. These lifts must only be used for the purpose for which they were designed and the recommended maximum lifting weight must never be exceeded. | |||
| Lowering Air Suspension | |||
| This modification is designed to lower the floor level by reducing the vehicle's rear suspension thereby lessening the angle of ascent, and is usually converted as an after-market product. The procedure to lower and raise the suspension is very simple and safe to use. This facility incorporates the use of either of the two ramps mentioned above. | |||
| Power Winches | |||
| These are electrical devices designed to assist the carer in manoeuvring the wheelchair into the vehicle. They are connected to the vehicle's electrical supply and are permanently secured to the floor. Power winches are usually found in vehicles that do not have a lowered floor and are operated by remote control. | |||
| Seating | |||
| When we refer to the number of seats we mean the number of conventional seats plus space for the number of wheelchairs indicated. Full size seats are as you would expect in a vehicle. In some vehicles the converters use three quarter size seats (located behind the front seats) which are adequate for the majority of people. "Dickie" seats are half-size seats and are only suitable for children and small adults. | |||
| WAVs | |||
| An industry abbreviation for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle | |||
| Maximum Headroom | |||
| This is the maximum amount of headroom at the entrance to the vehicle for the wheelchair user, measured from the bottom of the aperture to lowest point of the roof. | |||
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