Thursday July 25, 2024 | SOOKE, BC [Updated 1:30 pm]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Accessibility vehicles are automobiles that are adapted for ease of use by people with disabilities. That includes cars for wheelchair users, small vehicles designed to be driven by a wheelchair user, and larger vehicles like vans and small buses.
Vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs include:
- Minivans. Minivans are a top choice for many wheelchair users including Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna
- SUVs. SUVs are a great option for those who want to expand beyond a minivan.
- Pickup trucks are used by wheelchair users who require more functionality out of a vehicle.
Small wheelchair accessible cars include Fiat Qubo, Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner/Horizon, Ford Tourneo, Fiat Doblo and Renault Kangoo.
Repairs and maintenance:
Accessibility vehicles can be maintained and repaired at various service providers. In Sooke that includes Dumont Tirecraft — they don’t deal with the lift mechanisms but can service or adapt other aspects of the vehicle.
Dumont has adapted some vehicles so that the exhaust is not expelling fumes where people are getting into or loading equipment into the vehicle.
Public input about Accessibility:
Public participation about accessibility within municipalities has been happening over the past two weeks.
One more session in the series by Changing Paces (on behalf of the Capital West Accessibility Access Committee) remains on the schedule, for Sooke area residents — now by Zoom call due to the forest fires (was previously at 10 am to 12 noon, at the WorkBC Centre on Church Road in Sooke).
===== RELATED:
- Accessibility is the hot summer topic (July 12, 2024)
- Vehicle service appointments can be booked online at Dumont Tirecraft (January 19, 2023)
- Repairing cars for nurses at Dumont Tirecraft in Sooke (March 21, 2020)