Ride-Away

Ride-Away is one of the America's largest providers of wheelchair vans, vehicle modifications, and adaptive equipment including hand controls, wheelchair and scooter lifts, ramps, raised doors, lowered floors and specialized gas, brake and steering...

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Ride-Away Wheelchair Van Sales, Van Service and Wheelchair Van Rentals

One of America's leading providers of new and used wheelchair accessible vans and trucks, scooter lifts, wheelchair van service and handicap van rentals.

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Looking for a wheelchair accessible vehicle? Check out our website for more information to see how Ride-Away can make transportation easier for you and your family.

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BraunAbility MXV™ Explorer Crossover Wheelchair Vehicle

Learn the latest on the wheelchair accessible BraunAbility MXV. This Ford Explorer based crossover will be released this summer. Sign up for updates.

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Learn How Secondary Driving Controls Work | Ride-Away Wheelchair Vans

Secondary Driving Controls: The Key to Independence for Disabled Drivers

With the advances in electronic technology in today’s vehicles, controls are largely powered through electrical circuits. This eliminates the need for brute force on the part of the driver. These technological breakthroughs have now been put to use creating alternative controls for vehicles that enable even disabled individuals to drive them.

Accelerator Rings Replace the Gas Pedal

One such control device is the Guidosimplex 906, a hand-operated accelerator that works with gentle hand pressure. Linked to your vehicle’s electronic system, the device is operated by moving a ring forward with your hand. Increase the pressure to accelerate, maintain a constant pressure for constant speed, and decrease the pressure to decelerate. When the device detects heavy braking, it disables the electronic feature, enabling the air bags to deploy.

When another driver needs to use the car, you can deactivate the device by simply flipping a switch. With the touch of a button, you can even remove the device completely. With only minimal alterations to your vehicle itself, your vehicle will maintain its resale value.

Brake Levers Allow Disabled Drivers to Stop Easily

Mounted on either side of the steering wheel, brake levers offer enough power to lock the wheels if you need to stop quickly. With these devices, both the brakes and the transmission can easily coordinate. Pulling the lever brakes the car.

Brake levers and accelerator rings work better for people who can use one of their legs. For people whose disabilities require that they control the vehicle entirely by hand, Guidosimplex has created its All-In-One Driving Control System.

With the All-in One Driving Control System, Disabled Drivers Can Go Mobile

This system takes advantage of the electronic system controlling your car to provide total control using only your hands. With this system, only a minimum of force is required to control your vehicle.

Because the system uses the existing electronic features of your vehicle, it requires few modifications to your vehicle during installation. No awkward rods, once key components of hand controls, are needed. With these out of the way, you can get in and out of your car with little effort. The All-in-One allows you to adjust your position and lengthen the control levers.

With these devices, you can achieve more independence by driving your own vehicle. To take a look at your opportunity for independent living through driving, contact your local mobility vehicle store today. They will be able to show you how to operate these devices and get you on your way to independent living.

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How to convert vehicles to be wheelchair accessible

Want to Make Your Vehicle Wheelchair Accessible?

There are probably more possibilities than you thought possible to convert a regular vehicle into one that is wheelchair accessible. Here are some of the vehicles that often can be converted into a suitable vehicle for a person with a disability:

Full-sized vans and minivans – Minivans, because they are smaller and yet have plenty of room to retrofit accommodations for people with disabilities, are one of the most popular choice for conversions. They are more economical at the pump, yet provide most of the advantages of a larger van. Full-size vans, though, are also good choices for those with a lot of equipment or if your family is a large one.

Commercial vans – With such a van, you can create a mobile office for people who are wheelchair bound, as well as provide commercial transportation for people with disabilities.

Taxis – Converting at least part of your fleet of taxis into wheelchair accessible vehicles gives you access to a ready market of people who need your services. You will be providing service to people while accessing a niche market.

Motorcycles – With the technology available today, even people with disabilities can ride on converted motorcycles. Now people who are bound to a wheelchair can feel the wind in their hair as they experience the freedom of a motorcycle ride.

To see if your vehicle qualifies for the type of conversion you want, you need to consider some questions about how you plan to use the wheelchair accessible vehicle.  

Questions to Consider When Planning a Vehicle Conversion

-Is your planned conversion for a passenger or for a driver? -What options are available for each of my vehicles? -Do you need a ramp, a lift, a ramp, or other specialized equipment? -Would removable seating to accommodate your wheelchair be an option? -Do you want to have mobility seating?

Keep in mind that it is often more affordable to purchase a vehicle that is already converted to be wheelchair accessible. Find a company you can work with that will help you find the most economical and most practical solution for your situation.  

Making Your Vehicle Wheelchair Accessible Step by Step

Step 1: List your needs. Not every person with a disability will have the same needs. If you plan to transport people with a wide variety of disabilities, list as many of their needs as you can.

Step 2: Figure out what products can best meet your needs and those of the people you transport. Consider future needs as well when you are planning your purchase. Think of your purchase of a wheelchair accessible vehicle as an investment. Invest for the future. Your needs may change over the years.

If you are thinking about purchasing an already-equipped vehicle, think about a van. Vans, whether minivans, commercial vans, or full-size passenger vans, generally have more options. You can purchase them with lifts, with ramps, or with other specialized equipment.

With automobiles, think about options such as driving controls, mobility seating, and chair securement devices. Recreational vehicles and motorcycles can also be purchased already wheelchair-ready, or you can have your own vehicle converted into one that is wheelchair accessible.  

Step 3: Look for a local company who has the expertise to convert your vehicle into one that someone in a wheelchair can easily access. Make sure that they offer service on both conversions and on already-converted vehicles. Ideally, they should offer rentals. Rentals allow you to try out a particular conversion to see if the arrangement meets your needs. The company should also offer financing. A vehicle conversion is a major investment. Your mobility vehicle company should allow you to pay off your purchase over time. Visit a local company that specializes in converting vehicles to discover your options.