Archive for WAV

Person Hoists: Everything you need to know

Are you or a loved one unable to transfer from a wheelchair to a car seat unassisted? Person hoists could be the solution. Before going to the time and expense of changing to a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), perhaps it’s time to look into the option of installing a person hoist in your existing car?

Adult person hoistHoists – helping with the heavy lifting

Person hoists are very similar to those used in the home, such as bath and bed hoists. The user sits in a sling (small, medium or large) and an electric motor raises them out of the wheelchair to lift them into the car seat. The hoists allow the user to travel in a standard car seat at the front of a vehicle, making them an excellent alternative to wheelchair accessible vehicles while, at the same time, reducing the cost burden.

Free Assessment service

However, it is important to note that this solution does not work for everyone, so it is vital that every client has had a full demonstration and assessment with us. This free-of-charge service enables us to determine whether a hoist will meet a customer’s needs and whether the vehicle being considered for the hoist will be suitable.

Click here for further information on our free assessment service.

Person hoistsAdult and child hoists

Adult hoists come with a standard lifting capacity of 17.5 stone (111 kg), but this can be upgraded to 23.5 stone (149 kg) if necessary. Hoists for children work in the same way as adult hoists but the slings are smaller. Slings for children are available in ‘Small’ and ‘Extra Small’ sizes.

Bespoke solutions tailored to your needs

We pride ourselves on our ability to engineer bespoke solutions to resolve complex problems. If you’ve previously been told something can’t be done, please contact us to discuss your requirements so we can look at your options with you.

More accessible wheelchair transportation

VB full air suspension for wheelchair accessible vehicles

Wheelchair users want to experience a sense of security, comfort and confidence when they are taken to their destination. Wheelchair transporters, therefore, want to be able to offer tailor-made transport. Ensuring the safety and physical comfort of their passengers is of paramount importance to these carriers. This is what the passenger ultimately considers to be the most important. So what’s better than wheelchair users who choose to travel with you – just because your vehicle has that extra bit of comfort?

The problem facing wheelchair accessible vehicles

No one likes to feel all the road humps and bumps while travelling. Since the weight distribution in a wheelchair-loaded vehicle is usually not optimal, the journey for both the wheelchair user and the driver can become significantly less comfortable. This non-optimal weight distribution also has further adverse effects on ride comfort: the original suspension on the rear of the vehicle can become “stuck” when the weight of the wheelchair cannot be optimally distributed. The vehicle may also normally be too high – or too low – or the vehicle may have a too high approach angle. This would make it even more difficult to optimally assist passengers and would cause even more inconvenience.

How can Ergomobility and VB Airsuspension help?

A constant ride height is therefore essential for both the driver and the wheelchair user. This is easily achieved with one of our products. When using our air suspension – and electronic ride height control to achieve a constant ride height – ride comfort increases significantly. This means the passenger feels comfortable and safe, as well as you as a driver. Would you like to know more about the matching products – such as VB-FullAir – for this category of vehicles?
Take a look at the product leaflets here.

Discover the many benefits of VB Airsuspension’s wheelchair vehicle solutions

For more information contact us on 01444 882 233, email info@ergomobility.co.uk. or fill in our online Contact Form.

What is a WAV and does your customer need one?

WAVA WAV, or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, starts out life as a standard vehicle before a specialist conversion company makes a number of structural alterations to allow a wheelchair user to access and remain in their wheelchair – as a driver or passenger.

These vehicles are not supplied through the standard Motability dealer network. They are only supplied through the converters themselves.

But does your customer need a WAV or not?

If your customer can transfer out of their wheelchair without too much discomfort and effort then a standard car fitted with adaptations could be the answer.

Adaptations may include:

Wheelchair/scooter boot hoists

Swivel seats

Person hoists

Transfer plates

Wheelchair roof top boxes

But we don’t expect you to know the answer to this question! We are always here to talk to your customer and, if necessary, arrange a demonstration and an assessment to ensure they get the right vehicle from you at the very outset.

Should you wish to talk to us about WAVs, or any other adaptations, you can contact us on 01444 882233

, info@ergomobility.co.uk or from our convenient contact page.

Does your Motability client really need a WAV?

WAV

Motability Dealerships regularly message us saying they have a client who would like to travel in a vehicle, sitting in their wheelchair.  They will typically have researched the internet and off the back of this have called their local dealership, asking for a particular vehicle to be converted into a WAV (Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle). ‘Chances are the Motability Specialist will spend time showing cars to their client, looking at the internet with them and pulling together prices.

It’s usually at this stage the Specialist calls us only to hear disappointing news…..

Motability will not allow a vehicle on the Standard Car Scheme to be converted into a WAV. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Mini Clubman or a full sized van that could be converted into a WAV. It’s not allowed on the Motability Scheme.

The reason why?

Motability have a WAV Scheme with a selection of Motability approved vehicles that have already been converted by Motability approved converters. If someone wants to travel in a wheelchair in a Motability vehicle it has to be purchased through the WAV Scheme.

So, if one of your clients is looking for a WAV, you could direct them to the Motability website, where they can find all the information they need…

But you can always call one of our team and ask us to get in touch with your customer.

There may well be other products your client is not aware of that would solve their accessibility issues, eliminating the need for a WAV altogether. You’d be surprised at how many people are unaware of the existence of swivel seats, sliding plates, wheelchair hoists, person hoists, etc. Any one of these, or a combination, would allow many of your clients to travel in the front seat of a standard car. A WAV is not their only option.

If, after all this, your client does need a WAV, we will always point them in the right direction.

Ergomobility Sussex
Units 1 – 4, Crosspost Industrial Park,
Cowfold Road, Bolney,
West Sussex, RH17 5QU

Telephone: 01444 882233

Ergomobility Thames Valley
Tylorstown,
Caversham
Reading, RG4 7XW

Telephone: 0118 321 8193

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Ergomobility is a trading name of Equivalent Engineering Ltd. VAT Registered Number 776341117
Company registered in Cardiff number 4321179 Registered office – Units 1 to 4, Crosspost Industrial Park, Cowfold Road, Bolney, RH17 5QU