What is a WAV?

A Wheelchair accessible vehicle or a WAV is a vehicle that is specially adapted to suit the needs of a wheelchair user or someone with mobility issues that prevent or make difficult the use of a standard vehicle.Depending on the needs of the user there are a number of adaptations that can be made to wheelchair accessible vehicles to accommodate the wheelchair user as either passenger or driver such as ramps, swivel chairs and raised ceilings/lowered floors.WAVs come in a variety of sizes from specially adapted cars that seat 4 including a wheelchair user to large adapted minibuses that are designed to transport multiple wheelchairs and users.A small WAV typically seats 4 and the wheelchair user enters the vehicle via a ramp and the chair is then secured into position with no need for undue movement or lifting. Often smaller WAVs have a lowered floor to allow extra headroom inside the vehicle for the wheelchair user and to reduce the angle of the ramp making entry easier.A medium WAV typically seats between 5 and 7 including the wheelchair user and are often a  preferred size for larger wheelchairs or wheelchair users that have a lot of medical equipment to transport. Most medium WAVS come equipped with a ramp but some have electrical lifts to assist with loading larger wheelchairs.A Large WAV would be useful for those who travel with multiple wheelchairs or a large number of passengers.  They are suitable for large and heavy wheelchairs and a large amount of equipment. Lifts are commonplace in large WAVs but as with all wheelchair accessible vehicles there are a great variety of alterations that can be made.When looking to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle care must be taken to make sure that it fits the needs of the disabled person. When adaptations are made to cars often the specifications of the original car change such as smaller petrol tank and consequently an unreliable petrol gauge meaning care must be taken to maintain fuel levels. A WAV with a  lowered floor can present a risk on uneven surfaces as it has reduced ground clearance so extra care must also be taken here.Many suppliers of WAVs such as Gloucestershire based Julian Brunt know the importance of helping you to get the right WAV and can even bring a suitable vehicle to your home for a non obligation test drive at your convenience.

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