Choosing the right vehicle to best suit your needs can be overwhelming. There’s a lot of information out there, and it can be hard to process it all and gain a strong understanding of the
available options. We strive to provide expansive information in a functional format. We hope the resources below can help as you begin your accessible vehicle journey.
The lists below provide an overview of what kind of wheelchair-accessible vehicle options are out there. These are the most common ones and come with a variety of ramp/lift options from different manufacturers.
*discontinued after 2020
If you already own a vehicle you would like to have converted, or plan to do a conversion in the future, you need to be aware of certain requirements. Requirements vary by manufacturer and can change from year to year. Things like trim package, hybrid motors, load level suspension, power doors and other factors all matter. Requirements may include:
**as outlined in the MAKES/MODELS section, other full-size vans and SUVs might also be options, but these four minivans are the most common.
Manufacturers are those who build (or rather, rebuild) vehicles to make them wheelchair accessible. This requires an intense overhaul of the vehicle and specialized process which can’t be sourced just anywhere. The two biggest players are BraunAbility and Vantage Mobility International, or VMI. We’ve listed other dealers throughout the country as well, with links to their websites for more information.
• Location: Winamac, Indiana
• Available Makes and Models:
• Location: Tucker, Georgia
• Location: Tucker, Georgia
• Location: Columbia, Kentucky
• Location: Raleigh, North Carolina
• Location: Richfield, Ohio
• Location: Westminister, Maryland
• Location: Phoenix, AZ
• Available Makes and Models
• Location: Battle Creek, Michigan
• Location: Tarzana, California
• Location: Savage Minnesota
• Location: Clearwater, Florida
• Location: Pinellas Park, Florida
Mobility Dealers refers to car dealerships specializing in wheelchair-accessible vehicles. They sell converted vans and other vehicles that may be sourced from various manufacturers and resell used vehicles. Some manufacturers also list inventory on their websites, so there is some crossover between this and the previous list.
If you are working with state or grant funding, it’s often required that you go through an approved mobility dealer to purchase a vehicle. For example, Medicaid waivers in the state of Missouri may allow you to access up to $10,000 for vehicle modifications. However, it requires working with an approved dealer for the purchase or conversion of a vehicle.
Since enGAGE Mobility supports Missouri families, we’re focusing on locations in our state or those with relatively close locations. This list is by no means all-inclusive of dealerships throughout the US.
• Location: Springfield, Kansas City, St. Louis, Columbia, and Cape Girardeau, MO
• Location: Fayetteville, AR
• Location: Lee’s Summit, MO, Bryant, AR, and Wichita, KS
• Location: Columbia, MO
• Location: Nixa and Kansas City, MO
• Location: Kansas City, MO
• Learn about a variety of options from BraunAbility, VMI and more with easy access to digital product brochures.
• Learn about pricing, features and more in this Consumer Affairs article.
• Take a more in-depth look at the benefits and disadvantages that come with each conversion type.
• For children using car seats, the installation of a Bruno Seat may make transfers in and out of a chair easier. This can be installed in the second row of a minivan.
• If you need to transport your chair outside the vehicle, one of the scooter lift options outlined in this Consumer Affairs article may be an option.
• Perhaps you have a short-term need for a vehicle or want to use one for a cross-country road trip. Maybe you want to “try before you buy.” Here are a few places that offer rental options.
