What are the best wheelchair vans for adult daycares?
We get asked this question a lot here at MoveMobility, and we understand why. Deciding what wheelchair van to get–whether you’re a nonprofit, adult daycare, or a program in-between–is a vital choice that can affect the well-being of your clients.
This is because your organization will likely use the van almost every day. So, if you get one that is unsuitable for your passengers, they could miss important outings like doctor’s appointments.
People with mobility issues are already faced with barriers–it’s up to you to choose a wheelchair van that can alleviate some of these barriers for your clients.
Factors like what side passengers enter the vehicle on, whether you need a ramp or a lift, and your capacity needs will all help shape your decision.
In this article, you will learn the top five wheelchair vans MoveMobility recommends for nonprofits and adult daycares and the seven features that make a wheelchair van for organizations like yours.
At MoveMobility, we’ve helped over 50 adult daycares choose the best wheelchair van for their unique needs over the last eight years because we know the features that make a van perfect for organizations like yours.
Top 5 MoveMobility wheelchair vans for adult daycares
There are five vans we typically recommend to organizations like yours, and those are:
P4 wheelchair van
Product description: MoveMobility’s P4 wheelchair van is built on the Ram Promaster 159” Wheelbase High Roof model.
Who’s it for?: It’s a popular option for nonprofits or adult daycares downsizing from a large cut-away bus to a more efficient, flexible vehicle option.
Capacity: The P4 can have up to 10 ambulatory passengers, three wheelchairs, or a combination of both.
Access: The P4 can have side entry or rear entry ramp access.
PL Classic wheelchair van
Product description: MoveMobility’s PL Classic wheelchair van is built on the Ram Promaster 159” Wheelbase High Roof model.
Who’s it for?: It’s a popular option for nonprofits and adult daycares that need a rear access wheelchair lift.
Capacity: The PL Classic can have up to 10 ambulatory passengers, three wheelchairs, or a combination of both.
Access: The PL Classic can have side entry or rear entry access.
P3 wheelchair van
Product description: MoveMobility’s P3 wheelchair van is built on the Ram Promaster 136” Wheelbase Low Roof model.
Who’s it for?: The P3 is a popular option for nonprofits and adult daycares who need a vehicle that is slightly larger than a minivan such as the Dodge Grand Caravan, but is more flexible and has customizable floor plans.
Capacity: The P3 can have up to eight ambulatory passengers, up to three wheelchairs, or a combination of both.
Access: The P3 can have rear or side entry access.
P5 wheelchair van
Product description: MoveMobility’s P5 wheelchair van is built on the Ram Promaster 159” EXT Wheelbase High Roof model.
Who’s it for?: Like the P4, it’s a popular option for nonprofits or adult daycares downsizing from a large cut-away bus that need extra space for wheelchairs.
Capacity: The P5 can have up to 10 ambulatory passengers, four wheelchairs, or a combination of both.
Access: The P5 can also have side entry or rear entry ramp access.
PR Classic wheelchair van
Product description: MoveMobility’s Rear Ramp Ram Promaster wheelchair van is built on the Ram Promaster 159” Wheelbase High Roof model.
Who’s it for?: It is a popular option for nonprofits and adult daycares that need a manual ramp for mobility access.
Capacity: The PR Classic can have up to 10 ambulatory passengers, three wheelchairs, or a combination of both.
Access: The PR Classic can only have rear entry ramp access.
7 features that make the best wheelchair vans for adult daycares and nonprofits
There are many features that make a van better for nonprofits and adult daycares in Canada.
Let’s take a look at some of those features now.
1. Safety features
When your organization is transporting many passengers daily, you want your van to have the proper safety features to get you from place to place securely and reliably.
Some safety features you should watch out for are:
- Backup cameras
- Safety interlock for ramps and lifts
- Reliable wheelchair restraint systems
Your drivers and passengers will be comfortable and safe when you have the proper safety features.
2. HVAC system
An HVAC system controls your van’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.
Having an HVAC system is so important when you’re transporting passengers who struggle to regulate their temperature on their own.
It’s also helpful when you’re transporting many passengers at once during exceptionally hot or cold months.
3. The right price and payment method
For nonprofits and adult daycares, you are responsible for every penny you spend.
This means you need to find the right price and payment method for you.
Of course, grants and funding are always options, but it’s also important for you to find the balance between your budget and the value you get from your new van. Ensuring it has the right accessibility, features, capacity, etc. is more important than getting the lowest price.
One way to do that is to lease your van.
4. Good visibility
This one is pretty self-explanatory–all vehicles should have good visibility.
You have good visibility when your van has:
- A backup camera
- Parking sensors
- A clean windshield
- Working headlights
5. High capacity capabilities
An average full size van can have 10-12 passengers including the driver.
If your organization transports many passengers throughout the day, a larger capacity is likely better for you.
So, when you start looking at different wheelchair vans to purchase, keep in mind that you’ll probably want a full size van. If you need to transport more than 10 passengers at once a lot of the time, you may need to consider a bus.
6. Comfortable and adjustable seats
Having comfortable and removable seats is super important when frequently transporting passengers.
You’ll want your wheelchair van to have adjustable seats so that the passengers and the driver can find what layout works best for them.
Specifically, you’ll want to make sure the seats are on wheels because your drivers often change seat layouts throughout the day.
7. A ramp
When transporting multiple passengers daily, a ramp may be the right option for you.
This is because ramps make it easy to get multiple passengers in and out of the van efficiently. A ramp is simply faster than a lift and, if you live in a remote location, a manual ramp won’t buckle under rough winter roads.
But always make sure your workers are able to push a wheelchair user up a ramp comfortably.
If you have heavier wheelchairs, a lift may be better for you.
Take a look at the video below to learn how an organization we worked with is using one of our wheelchair vans to change lives.
Your next steps to getting the best wheelchair vans for your adult daycares
You came to this article wanting to know which wheelchair van is right for your organization.
After reading, you know which vans we at MoveMobility typically recommend to organizations like yours and what makes a van “good” for nonprofits and adult daycares.
At MoveMobility, we are one of the leading companies in Canada making wheelchair-accessible vehicles, so we know how to help you make this difficult decision.
If you’re ready to take a more in-depth look at one of the vans we listed above, talk to an expert now.
Or, keep learning about which van is right for your organization by reading these related articles:
