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#198006 - 03/17/11 09:52 PM Wheelchair van financing???
Army NCO
Junior Member


Registered: 03/17/11
Posts: 1
I am an looking for assistance in finding funding/grants for an assessable van. My daughter, 16, has spina bifida and is being fitted for her first power w/c. Up until now she has had a manual chair and we could fold it down into our van. We have a 2007 Uplander, but I am told a conversion kit is not made for it any more since chevy does not make mini-vans any longer. I am in the Army and I cannot afford to purchase a van outright. Just looking for any and all suggestions to assist in obtaining a vehicle.

Thanks in advance.
SGT E

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#198007 - 03/18/11 11:25 AM Re: Wheelchair van financing??? [Re: Army NCO]
anita
Member


Registered: 03/17/09
Posts: 155
I don't have any first hand information, but a quick search on google found an accessible vehicle company in Canada that lists your 2007 Chevy Uplander as one of the vans that they can convert, even though GM discontinued that product line. So it seems that it is still possible to do.

As far as I can tell from their website, they only have locations in Canada, but if you call them and explain your situation, they might be able to give you information and direct you to a source in the U.S.

Their site is: http://www.wheelchairvans.ca/wheelchair-accessible-vans/gm-chevy-uplander-wheelchair-accessible-van

and their toll-free number is: 1-800-561-9600

Good luck to you and your daughter!

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#198010 - 03/18/11 04:17 PM Re: Wheelchair van financing??? [Re: anita]
shakey56
Member


Registered: 03/31/04
Posts: 1889
Loc: where the wild roadrunners roa...
Where are you? Uplanders can still be converted. I looked at a couple of them last August with new conversions. There are different ways of converting also. Will she ride in her WC? If so, it will be expensive ($20k +) to lower the floor. The other option is looking for a good used converted van with lowered floor. There are many out there. I bought an 07 last year and saved abt $22k off the price of new.

If she will be riding in a passenger seat, just get a folding ramp like one of these:

http://www.sportaid.com/single-fold-wheelchair-ramp-with-carry-bag-6-x-30-by-drive-medical.html

http://www.sportaid.com/ez-access-suitcase-ramps-advantage-series.html

Then you can remove the middle or rear seat and put the chair in via the side or rear door. Cost to convert including tie downs should be well under $1000.
_________________________


Against logic there is no armor like ignorance.

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#199093 - 06/06/11 06:00 PM Re: Wheelchair van financing??? [Re: Army NCO]
ada12
Junior Member


Registered: 06/06/11
Posts: 1
Your local vocational office may be able to help you.
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#199101 - 06/07/11 01:39 PM Re: Wheelchair van financing??? [Re: ada12]
Johnboy 64
Member


Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
dcu financing financed handicapped equipped vans for up to 10 yrz. not sure if they still do. they were great with me
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#199102 - 06/07/11 01:45 PM Re: Wheelchair van financing??? [Re: Johnboy 64]
Johnboy 64
Member


Registered: 11/16/01
Posts: 15944
Loc: a nice place
here is direct link to the special loans https://www.dcu.org/loans_visa/index.html
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#199146 - 06/14/11 09:29 AM Re: Wheelchair van financing??? [Re: Johnboy 64]
LBrummett
Junior Member


Registered: 06/14/11
Posts: 3
What area of the country are you in? If there is a mobility dealer in your area I would start by contacting them. I have had experience with many dealers and most of them offer used converted vans. I know that a few of them also work with different local banks who understand the financial investment of buying a converted van and provide special financing. Hope this helps!
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