What is a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle?

BraunAbility wheelchair accessible vehicles are manufactured to offer ease of access for wheelchair and scooter users. In an accessible vehicle, the floor has been extended and the vehicle equipped with a lightweight ramp for a low-grade incline, making for an easy entry and exit. Accessible vehicles are available in side-entry or rear-entry designs. See our Shopping Tools page for more information on accessible vehicle types.

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles: Compare Your Options


side entry wheelchair van
rear entry handicap van

Side-Entry Wheelchair Vans

  • Extra room for maneuverability because some or all of the floor has been lowered
  • Owners can typically drive or ride in the first row from their wheelchair (except for CompanionVan)
  • Owners can also ride securely in the second row from their wheelchair
  • Good fit for communities with plenty of handicap or parallel parking due to ramp deployment

Rear-Entry Wheelchair Vans

  • Wheelchair users ride from the second row to the rear via a central channel
  • Offers ample ground clearance because most of the van’s floor has not been lowered and the rear is slightly elevated
  • Best suited for wheelchair users with a caregiver as this conversion can't be operated independently.

Standard Height vs Extra Tall Handicap Vans

standard height
Extra Tall - XT - Height

Standard Height Vans

  • Between 52.5'' to 55'' from floor to top of opening at the doorway’s ramp entrance

Extra tall (XT) Height Vans

  • Over 55” from vehicle floor to top of door opening at the doorway’s ramp entrance

Foldout Ramp vs. Infloor Ramp Wheelchair Vans

handicap van with foldout ramp
handicap van with infloor ramp

Foldout Ramp

  • Can easily deploy over curbs, making for easy entry and exit
  • Allows wheelchair user to manually push and deploy the ramp in case of emergencies
  • Less debris is collected in the ramp track system resulting in less overall maintenance 
  • The ramp must be deployed for entry or exit through ramp doorway

Infloor Ramp

  • No ramp deployment required for entry and exit through ramp doorway
  • Ramp concealment keeps the interior appearance closer to that of a standard minivan
  • High curbs may be a challenge during deployment
  • Ramp maintenance is generally more frequent because the ramp tends to collect more debris and moisture

Manual Ramp vs Power Ramp Wheelchair Van

manual ramp wheelchair vehicle
power ramp handicap vehicle

Manual Ramp

  • Offered on some BraunAbility wheelchair conversion types
  • Ideal for users who will always travel with a companion who can access the ramp easily
  • Cost-effective mobility option
  • Available on both side- and rear-entry vehicles

Power Ramp

  • Provides exceptional convenience
  • Allows a wheelchair user to operate the vehicle independently
  • Key fob remote opens the door, deploys the ramp and activates the kneeling feature

BraunAbility has the broadest line up of wheelchair accessible vehicles in the mobility industry.


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