Wheelchair Accessible Cars – Dublin, Ireland

What is a Wheelchair Accessible Car / Vehicle?

Wheelchair Accessible Cars (Vehicles), or WAVs are vehicles that have been converted so that wheelchair users can travel while remaining in their wheelchair, either as a passenger or driver. The size, shape and design of the Wheelchair Accessible Car will vary depending on the original vehicle used for the conversion and the specialist company that has converted the vehicle. However all Wheelchair Accessible Cars have easy access and safe travelling for the wheelchair user .

Standard Wheelchair Accessible Car features include:

• A built-in ramp or lifts on larger vehicles
• Access from the side or the back of the vehicle
• A lowered floor or raised roof to allow enough headroom
• Wheelchair tie-downs

There are three different sizes of wheelchair accessible cars:

Small Wheelchair Accessible Cars

These Wheelchair Accessible Cars normally have a ramp, rather than a lift, to allow access to the vehicle. They can have at least one rear seat and can accommodate up to four including a wheelchair passenger.

Medium Wheelchair Accessible Cars

If you have a larger wheelchair or regularly travel with four or more passengers or have equipment that you need to keep with you, a medium Wheelchair Accessible Car might suit your needs.

Large Wheelchair Accessible Cars

If you will be regularly travelling with many passengers and require a number of seats, or if you have a large or heavy wheelchair, or a lot of equipment that you need to keep with you, then a large Wheelchair Accessible Cars is probably right for you.

Wheelchair Accessible Cars a wheelchair user can drive

Some Wheelchair Accessible Cars will allow you to drive while seated in your wheelchair (what we call Drive From WAVs or DFWs).

There are two ways in which this is possible:

• Either the Wheelchair Accessible Car allows you to transfer easily to a standard or adapted seat in the driver’s position
• Or the vehicle can be driven directly from the wheelchair

The first type of conversion, which allows you to transfer from your wheelchair to a seat, is generally a cheaper and easier option if you are able to transfer from one seat to another without needing extra help.

Both types of conversion will need an automatic anchoring system to secure your wheelchair.

How do DFWs differ from a standard Wheelchair Accessible Cars?

Wheelchair Accessible Cars that allow wheelchair users to drive differ from passenger WAVs (where you remain seated as a passenger) in the following ways:

• The ramp or lift giving access to the Wheelchair Accessible Car will be operated automatically
• There will be fewer seats to allow access to the driving position
• The majority of wheelchair driver Wheelchair Accessible Cars will have some form of adaptations

To ensure the vehicle meets your needs, you will need to have an assessment. This assessment will identify suitable vehicles and controls. Drive From Wheelchair or Up Front Passenger Wheelchair Accessible Cars.