Disabilities can arise as a result of defects in genetics, infection, drugs (or medications), exposure to radiation, or accidents.
Accidents are likely to occur and no one can predict the severity of injuries or even the damage they can cause.
Once you’re in this situation, you’re forced to adapt to the changes that have taken place – and this doesn’t leave out your financial state.
This brings to mind the idea of transporting your loved one in a wheelchair, which can be a bit of a hassle. Although, there are WAVs (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles) that work as taxis, investing in a modified minivan or WAV is a better solution.
This is because a wheelchair vehicle is comprised of lifts, ramps, and other unique functions that can help conveniently transport the disabled individual.
However, making such investment costs a lot and is most times always not affordable to the families of the disabled in need of the van.
What do you do in this kind of situation? How do you transport the disabled individual from one place to the other without hassle?
Fortunately, there are quite a number of processes through grants, foundations, government-assisted programs, and NGOs that can actually assist in getting a wheelchair van donated to you.
Table of Contents
- How Can I Get a Wheelchair Van Donated to Me? (Answered)
- Factors to Consider when Searching for Wheelchair Vans for Free
- Benefits of Getting a Wheelchair Van
How Can I Get a Wheelchair Van Donated to Me? (Answered)
Grants
A grant is a sum of money given by the government or other organizations for a particular purpose. There are specific grants that are designed for the purpose of donating cash to help families in taking care of their loved ones who are disabled.
You can convert this cash to get a wheelchair van. As a matter of fact, these grants may or may not have a stipulated time frame in which you have to apply.
As long as you can prove what you need the money for, the application process becomes the only barrier stopping you from obtaining the wheelchair van.
Related: How to Ship a Wheelchair
NGOs
There are non-profit organizations that provide assisted technological devices to help individuals with various forms of major or minor injuries that can be classified as disabilities. For example, some developmental disabilities would require adaptive technologies.
These organizations are run by different individuals who pool resources together to help the disabled and less fortunate in society because they know how hard it is for you to get these basic requirements on your own.
Some of them may require a lengthy application process to prove if you are truly deserving of getting the donation, and not someone else.
This is because the resources are quite expensive and may be limited. Therefore, you need to be specific and honest when turning in your application.
Foundations
While most foundations are set up and run by individuals who may have, at one time or the other, had similar disabilities (or kids with disabilities), some religious organizations may also be involved.
These individuals may still have family members or friends to whom the foundation is in honor, and this makes it easier to understand your plight – which is actually a beautiful thing as long as you are able to show that you cannot afford the vehicle on your own.
Examples of such foundations (especially for specified disabilities) are paralysis, stroke, spine injury, and multiple sclerosis foundations.
With the case of the foundations of religious organizations, it is best to be a part of their congregation for this particular type of donation. This is because it is an expensive donation (usually only less expensive donations are more general to the public) and, thus, may be restricted to only the inner circles.
The good thing is that they will all be aware that you are in dire need of this donation and you deserve it rather than an outsider to the congregation. Hence, you might not necessarily need to apply for this type of donation.
You are only required to be an active member of the congregation.
Related: How to Get a Wheelchair Up and Down Stairs (Complete Guide)
Government Assisted Programs (Differs in Each Country)
The government always has a number of programs set up to provide assistance and needs to its citizens, especially the less privileged and the disabled. A common type is the ‘National Funding with Grants and Loans by Disability or Injury Type’.
As daunting as the task may be, the government always tries to cover the entire span of the nation by spreading out the assisted programs state by state.
As usual, you will be expected to submit applications and sufficient proofs that you are disabled and you are in need of a WAV donation.
This is necessary because the government cannot be aware of each individual’s situation, so only realistic applications that meet requirements would be qualified.
Therefore, your application would only be successful based on how you present your case and how you are able to provide proof that meets the government’s requirements. You also have to meet their criteria for the disabled.
It is important to note that most of the government-assisted programs are carried out by the Department of Rehabilitation Services or the Vocational Rehabilitation Program Centres in each state.
There are other local organizations that may help in getting you a donated WAV such as the aging and disability resource centers, the centers for independent living, and many more – all depending on your location.
Related: How to Get a Wheelchair-Bound Person into a Car
Factors to Consider when Searching for Wheelchair Vans for Free
In light of the above, it is necessary to have the following at the back of your mind.
- Some grants might not be full and, thus, might only be enough for you to be able to modify your car to suit your disability needs. Alternatively, if you don’t get a full grant, you can go ahead to purchase a fairly used adapted vehicle from a vendor
- Most non-profit organizations might be specific to only certain locations. You have to find out if your location falls under the desired locations before applying
- A lot of the government programs are usually based on your health condition, level/severity of disability, your location, your age, and your standard of income
- Save to say that it is best to try them all because you might just be fortunate to be donated a WAV through one of these processes
Benefits of Getting a Wheelchair Van
- WAVs have flexible floor plans that are designed to accommodate the needs of the disabled
- Some models of the vans have raised roofs, power sliding side doors, and lowered floor options. They can accommodate your custom needs
- Most WAVs are crash tested and meet the standard set by every government’s disability act
