Motability Scheme for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles
Author: Ian C. Langtree - View Credentials
Published: 5 Mar 2014 - Updated: 30 Dec 2024
Publication Type: Informative
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - Related Content
Synopsis
Information regarding the Motability Scheme for purchasing or leasing a wheelchair accessible vehicle in the U.K..
Topic Definition
- Wheelchair Accessible Vans
Wheelchair-accessible vans have been modified by increasing the internal size of the vehicle and equipping it with a means of wheelchair entry, such as a wheelchair ramp or powered lift. There are two types of entry configurations: side-entry and rear-entry. The entry location impacts wheelchair seating positions, parking options, the ability to accommodate other passengers, and storage availability. Modifications fall into two categories; the first is where the individual in a wheelchair is the driver, and the second is where the individual in a wheelchair is a passenger.
Overview
If you or someone you love has a disability, it's important to be informed of all the mobility options available. The Motability Scheme is a government-funded program that allows those with disabilities to exchange part of their benefit for an accessible vehicle. You will be eligible to join the Motability Scheme if you receive the Higher Rate Mobility Component of Disability Living Allowance, the Enhanced Rate of the Mobility Component of Personal Independence Payment, the War Pensioners' Mobility Supplement, or the Armed Forces Independence Payment. More eligibility information is available online.
What is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?
A WAV or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle is a standard car that has been specially converted to accommodate a wheelchair, in a passenger capacity or as a driver.
These vehicles vary in size and design but they have all been modified to give the greatest comfort and ease of access to wheelchair users.
A WAV will include a built in ramp or lift, tie downs for the wheelchair, conversions to allow comfortable headroom and access from the side or the back of the vehicle.
Leasing a WAV Through the Motability Scheme
You can lease a brand new Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle through the Motability Scheme and this includes a five year agreement and a mileage allowance of 100,000 miles.
The Motability Scheme means that you don't need to worry about insurance, servicing or maintenance as these are all taken care of as part of the package.
You can nominate two named drivers; get free RAC breakdown assistance and tire and windscreen replacements at no additional cost.
Choosing Your Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle
There are hundreds of dealerships in the UK that operate as part of the Motability scheme, so choose one that offers a comprehensive range of vehicles that best suit your individual requirements.
When deciding on the best kind of WAV for you, it's important to:
- Consider the size of your wheelchair and how much space you think you will need. It's also advised that you take into account the number of passengers that regularly travel with you and the amount of luggage you will take on long and short journeys.
- Consider the kind of journeys you will be making and how often you will use your vehicle, because this will determine the kind of WAV you should choose.
- It's also a good idea to test drive the WAVs you're interested in before committing to a make and model.
Related Information
- Free Wheelchair Vans From All Things Possible
- Grant Writing for a Wheelchair Van
- Vocational Rehabilitation: Purchasing a Wheelchair Accessible Van
- Rear-Entry and Side-Entry Wheelchair Conversion Options for Minivans
- Selecting the Right Wheelchair Van
- Wheelchair Accessible Van Rentals for Persons with Disability
Author Credentials: Ian C. Langtree is a writer, editor, and the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, which he established in 2004 as one of the longest-running independent resources for disability news and information. Over more than two decades, he has written and edited thousands of articles on disability rights, health, accessibility, and assistive technology. Drawing on a global perspective shaped by extensive travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed advocate of the Social Model of Disability, the framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that focuses on removing societal barriers rather than on individual impairments. His writing is grounded in that framework and in a lasting commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.