Tag Archives: Transfer Seats

Where To Begin: Accessibility Options

Vehicles can be adapted in many different ways, but the options are almost always dependent on how the wheelchair user plans to use it on a day-to-day basis. A few questions to consider when initially thinking about what you need are:

  • What’s the ideal location for the wheelchair user to sit in the vehicle?
  • Will the wheelchair user be driving?
  • Does the wheelchair user want to transfer out of their seat?
  • Is the wheelchair positioned at an extended height or width?

After those questions are answered, you can begin to look into the various accessibility conversions available to fit your vehicle needs. A few of the most common features include hand controls, transfer seats and ramp or lift style.

Experienced Mobility Equipment Dealers

When it comes to finding the right transportation solution for your needs the options are almost endless. There’s accessible minivans, trucks, wheelchair and scooter carriers, lifts, ramps, hand controls, transfer seats etc. To ensure you are getting the right mobility products for your specific needs it’s important to get the help of an experienced mobility equipment dealer. Most local mobility equipment dealers have been in business for years and over that time have gained the knowledge and expertise to fit you with the very best product for your situation.

Quality mobility equipment dealers will meet with you in person to help determine your individual needs and what adaptive vehicle or equipment is best for you. They’ll ask you questions about you, your disability, your wheelchair or scooter, how you’ll be using the vehicle, will there be additional drivers, your budget etc.

It’s important that you ask the mobility equipment dealer some specific questions, as well. You’ll need to find out if they offer 24-hour emergency assistance, are their technicians trained and certified, and are they a full service automotive shop. You then have to ask yourself if you feel like they’re easy to work with and ultimately if you want to do business with this dealership.

Whether you buy new or used will depend on your finances but the most important thing is that the vehicle is designed to fit your requirements. Your local mobility dealer is the key to getting you into the right vehicle. Based on your disability, together, you can easily determine what’s the best transportation solution for you.

How to Choose the Right Mobility Vehicle for You

With several mobility vehicle options available, how do you know which one is going to be the best fit for you?

Most vehicles can be modified with hand controls, foot pedals and adaptive equipment to make driving easier for someone who has limited mobility. While those modifications help you drive, they don’t actually help you get into the vehicle. Picking the right mobility vehicle should start with entry.

When you use a wheelchair to get around, it’s important you have a vehicle that allows you to get in and out in the most convenient way possible. If you have good upper-body strength and can’t stand the thought of driving a van, you may be able to get by using a sedan or coupe – at least for a little while. If you use a large power chair that won’t fit in the back seat of a car or have no one to help you get it there even if it could, a full-size or minivan might be more appropriate.

To find out the differences between mobility vehicles so you can pick the right one for you, consider the benefits and disadvantages of each type below.

Sedans and Coupes
Having a sedan or coupe usually means you have to transfer from your wheelchair to the car seat, which can put a lot of strain on your arms and shoulders – or those of your caregiver. When you think about a long-term solution, having to transfer and load a wheelchair for many years may not be practical. Not only that, but if the weather isn’t ideal (snow, rain, excessive heat), this all becomes even more difficult. Standard cars can have motorized lifts or platforms attached to them, but those are generally just for loading a wheelchair in the back or trunk and don’t help with your transfer.

While cars might not be the most practical solution for all wheelchair users, many people still choose them because they are more stylish than a van and tend to be less expensive. The cost of the vehicle with gas is generally less on an unconverted sedan or coupe than a converted van. Plus, if you already own a car, getting assistive equipment is cheaper than buying a brand new mobility vehicle.

SUVs
SUVs are similar to sedans and coupes in that they usually require a transfer from the wheelchair to the car seat. That means they don’t work for wheelchair users without much upper-body strength or strong caregivers, especially since SUVs sit higher and the transfer involves more lifting. SUVs also don’t have a lot of interior space and may not fit larger wheelchairs – even in the trunk.

One of the major benefits of having an accessible SUV is the All-Wheel Drive feature, which makes driving in inclement weather a little bit safer, especially when hand controls are used.

Minivans
Wheelchair-accessible minivans are one of the most practical options for someone with limited mobility. Converted minivans usually come with a ramp system and automatic sliding door to make entry and exit into the vehicle easy – without having to leave your wheelchair. This makes getting in and out much quicker and puts almost no stress on the body of the wheelchair user or caregiver. In addition, some wheelchair-accessible minivans offer different seating options so you can sit in the front and avoid feeling like cargo.

Converted minivans are one of the most convenient options, as they are large enough to fit a wheelchair user, but not so large they may be hard to drive and park for if you have limited mobility. While these might be the perfect solution for many wheelchair users, some people don’t like the idea of driving a minivan and you always have to park with enough space on the side to lower the ramp.

Full-Size Vans
Full-size mobility vans are a great option for larger wheelchair users or those in heavy power chairs. While these vehicles offer the most space, having a full-size van also usually means you use a lift, which takes up space inside the vehicle and may rattle around when you drive. Lift operation may also take longer than that of a ramp and often requires the assistance of another person. Having a lift, however, does make loading and unloading possible without having to transfer from the wheelchair.

While each type of mobility vehicle has its perks and drawbacks, it’s important to find the one that works best for you. It is critical to find a reliable wheelchair-accessible vehicle or adaptive equipment manufacturer so you get a product that will last. If you need additional assistance in determining which option is ideal for you, talk to an authorized mobility dealer and ask for a demo of the vehicles that interest you.

B&D Independence | Transfer Seats | Mobility Seating

B&D Independence Transfer Seats

Mobility Seat VMi New England Massachusetts

The new B&D Independence leadership series of handicap transfer seats that are equipped with a variety of new benefits. These seats are designed to give you maximum comfort while driving or riding in a handicap accessible vehicle, providing a seamless entry into the vehicle from your wheelchair.

This new leadership series of seat bases includes a 24 month warranty on parts and 12 month limited warranty on labor, providing peace of mind in the event of a product malfunction. They also have a 500 pound total combined weight capacity, test certification to meet various requirements with a semi-integrated seatbelt system, new central wiring distribution channel, repositioned wiring harness, direct vehicle chassis ground system, 12 inch swivel gear for smooth turning, swivel adjustment screw that allows for a 5 degree adjustment, Delrin bearings for quieter operation and stability, an actuator protective cover that prevents objects from falling into the actuator, two position adjustable switch box, application specific part numbers, and a direct mounting system that requires no drilling to operate.

These are just some of the features that make our selection of seat bases one of the best purchases you can make for your accessible vehicle. Whether you’re the driver or the passenger you deserve maximum comfort and there is no reason why your mobility should be limited. Contact us today for more information on how to purchase a new transfer seat.

Transfer Seats for Minivans

The mobility industry converts a wide selection of various minivans, which B&D Independence is proud to support with direct-mount seat bases. These include:

  • Chrysler Town & Country
  • Dodge Grand Caravan
  • Honda Odyssey
  • Toyota Sienna
  • Volkswagen Routan

We also carry seat bases for older minivans conversions such as Ford Freestar, Ford Winstar and Chevy Venture.

Our Products

Leadership 51

The L51 is our most popular model. Designed for lowered minivans, this 6-Way Transfer Seat Base is available for both driver and passenger sides. The 6-Way Transfer Seat moves forward and back, raises up and down, and swivels.

Travel Horizontal: 20”
Travel Vertical: 6 3/8”
Swivel: 100º
Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.


Chrysler Town & Country with Braun Entervan Conversion
Honda Odyssey with VMI Conversion
Chrysler Town & Country with Braun Entervan Extra Tall Conversion Dimensions
Length: 33 1/2″
Width: 14 1/4″
Down Height: 6 1/8″ to 8 7/8″
Chrysler Town & Country with VMI Conversion
Toyota Sienna with Braun Rampvan Conversion
Honda Odyssey with Braun Entervan Conversion

 

Leadership 53

The L53 is a 4-Way Transfer Seat for the driver or passenger side. It has similar features as the L51 as it moves forward and back and swivels. This 4-Way Transfer Seat does not raise up and down.

Travel Horizontal: 20”
Swivel: 100º
Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.

Dimensions
Length: 33 1/2″
Width: 14 1/4″
Down Height: 6 1/8″ to 7 5/8″

 

Leadership 75

The L75 is a 4-Way Transfer Seat for Chrysler, Dodge and Toyota Mini Vans that have been converted for rear entry or not had the floor altered. This 4-Way Transfer Seat Base does not raise up and down.

Travel Horizontal: 35” to 37”
Swivel: 100º
Weight Capacity: 500 lbs.

Dimensions
Length: 55 1/4″
Width: 10 1/2″
Down Height: 3 5/8″ to 5 5/8″
L75 for Rear Entry Minivan

 

Minivan Options (L51, L53, and L75 Models)

180 Degree Swivel: Allows rotation of the seat 180 degrees, so that the user has greater flexibility in how they transfer into and out of the seat.

Trim Package: A set of three covers that match the OEM interior of your vehicle. Providing OEM aesthetic quality and made with ABS material, these covers keep the moving mechanisms of the base concealed and protected. (Available on model L51 only.)

Hand Held Pendant: Our standard Easy Access switchbox with an extended harness and shorter switches, provides the user with increased range of where they place their controller.

Extended Travel: Certain transfer seat base models for the minivan can be extended four inches. Speak with your Dealer to see if your vehicle may qualify for this option.