Traveling position
- Make sure you can sit comfortably and upright (without having to duck your head), and can easily see out of the windows.
- Is there enough space above your head so you don’t hit the ceiling if the driver takes a bump too fast?
- Will you be able to talk to the driver and any other passengers?
- Will your carer be able to get to you if you need assistance of any kind while you’re underway?
- Ideally, you should be positioned in front of the rear wheels or the ride can be very uncomfortable. This may not be possible in some smaller vehicles.
- If you have uncontrolled movements, make sure you are not too close to un-padded parts of the car.
Getting in and out
- Make sure that you, or whoever is helping you, can get you in and out and can safely and easily operate any equipment.
- Make sure that you and your wheelchair will fit along the entry and exit route without getting stuck.
- Some wheelchair accessible vehicle users place stickers on the ramp or somewhere else on the vehicle to help guide them into the right position when they are getting in.
Space
- Think about who will be traveling with you.
- Often, some of the rear passenger seats need to be removed to make enough space to get the wheelchair in – sometimes they’re replaced with folding or smaller seats.
- Think about where you’ll stow, and how you’ll secure, any luggage or equipment you’ll be carrying. You can’t use the space behind the wheelchair travelling position – it has to be clear for you to get in and out.
- Some wheelchair accessible vehicle users carry their extra luggage in roof boxes or trailers. Note that most wheelchair accessible vehicles cannot be used to pull a trailer because of the way the rear of the vehicle has been modified.
