September 2002www.HandicappedVans.com
Newsletter
Most of the comments to us have been receiving are individuals looking for a handicapped accessible van to carry them and there wheelchairs or scooters. We realized that handicapped equipped vans and cars can be very expensive to buy or just to equip for our individual needs. I will give you some resources that you can get help to your independence.
I went to national convention of my disability and I met a young man about my age and started talking with him and finding out what he was doing in his life. He had gone to college and was working, but he wasn't completely independent. His parents were driving him to school and to work on a daily, weekly basis. I told him that I was driving and going to school and working part_time and living on my own away at college. He hadn't looked into seeing what was available and also being sheltered by his family didn't know what was out there that he could use to gain independence. Granted we all don't have the same accessibility or ability to do things on our own. Don't get your hopes up, but there are a lot of advances for many people and for their families to help you live more independent lives.
Some resources that everyone told me and my parents was about the March of Dimes, United Way and other charity organizations to assist in acquiring help to pay for a van, wheelchair or whatever was in need at the time. These and other organizations truly can help if you qualify. My family didn't qualify due to my parents making too much money they said. We were rich, we were able to meet our needs, but unable to get assistance in getting a van with a lift to get me to and from school.
In most states you can get assistance from you state government if available. Two states in which I am familiar with is New Mexico and Texas. They are usually listed in as a Rehabilitation organization. For example in New Mexico they are called Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) which under the NM Department of Education http://www.dvrgetsjobs.com/. In Texas it is called Texas Rehabilitation Commission http://www.rehab.state.tx.us/index.html . Here is a link that I found that has Vocation Rehabilitation offices if different states. But before you jump to them these organizations are primarily for individuals that are able to be assisted in becoming gainfully employed through training http://www.dwd.state.wi.us/dvr/agencies.htm. They helped me go to school and to get employment to have transportation to and from school and work that I was able to do. Even with assistance I had to purchase a van and they helped with the conversion adaptations that I needed to drive. So, that was why I need to be able to work to pay for the van. Most all of these programs you can apply when you turn 18 years of age. You can also check with your local wheelchair or wheelchair repair dealer and most of the time they can tell you who you might be able to contact with assistance in help acquiring a wheelchair or a van with a lift.
So, noting that if you have already looked into a new converted car or van can cost money. The van plus the conversion and adoptions needs. That is why I started HandicappedVans.com. I was trying to get a new van, but I knew that my old van would benefit some one who needed it as well. I placed an ad in several regional used handicapped vans magazines with no success. I placed an ad online in a classified ad and sold the van to a young woman in Wyoming. I was living in Dallas, Texas at the time. It worked out for both of us. How did she get it you say. Well she had a friend ride the bus to Dallas and he picked it up and drove it back to Wyoming. It so happened that the van met her needs as well as mine. When selling a van or a car or anything we want to get our money’s worth out of it. It is very difficult to do that with a converted car or van that has been trough extensive conversion process such as a lowered floor, lift, hand controls, wheelchair tie downs, and other needed equipment. In my two pervious vans people were unable to pay what the van is worth (blue book value) plus fully loaded with the adaptive equipment even depreciated out. Not every van or car that you find online here or anywhere else might not meet your exact need, but check with a local conversion company to see what additional equipment might cost and have them check out the equipment to make sure that it is in good working order just as you would check the maintenance record and have a mechanic look it over of a car that you would normally buy..
Good Luck! Stay posted for October Newsletter! We will discuss Activities and Entertainment for that we as disabled people have or can do. If you have any suggestions or ideas send them to Newsletter@HandicappedVans.com
Sincerely,
Curtiss
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