Custom Sprinter Wheelchair Conversion Van Can Also Be Used as a Camper

Recently we filmed a video with Luc showing how his Dodge Sprinter conversion van can be used as both a wheelchair passenger van and a camper alternative to an expensive and gas-guzzling motor home. The van is equipped with a wheelchair lift and an EZ-lock system to securely lock a wheelchair in the passenger side of the van. The van has a few basic camper facilities such as a microwave, a refrigerator, a sink, a water tank with an external water hookup for refilling at a campground, a ceiling fan, storage cabinets, window shades,  110V electrical power outlet and two solar panels on top of the roof to keep the batteries charged. There is room for two people to sleep in the back of the van and a ceiling lift makes it easy to do transfers between a wheelchair and the bed.

Luc and his wife have two dogs that can safely come along for the ride because there is room underneath one of the beds to secure two dog crates. The Sprinter van is quite a bit larger than standard minivans, which leaves Luc some room to maneuver around in his wheelchair, something he hasn’t been able to in any other van.

Watch the video below to check out the interior of the conversion van and the wheelchair accessible features. And for more information read our earlier article about Camping in a Dodge Sprinter Van.

Free Wheelchair Mission Has Given Away Nearly 500,000 Free Wheelchairs to Those in Need

Free Wheelchair Mission was founded in 1999 by Don Schoendorfer, who has a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, after he was inspired by the sight of a physically disabled woman in Morocco crawling across a dirt road. It certainly adds a challenge to life when you have a mobility disability. But setting that aside, the people who are physically challenged living in the more developed countries – like myself – may in some regard consider themselves lucky compared to those living in the poorer countries where access to the most basic wheelchair is practically non-existent. Read more

Wheelchair or Tank?

I’m not sure whether this should be classified as a wheelchair or a tank… take a look and let us know what you think!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsyDqlRrSWE&feature=fvsr

Miss Wheelchair USA 2010 – A Role Model for Women with Disabilities

Phaedra Marriott-Olsen has been crowned Miss Wheelchair USA 2010. The Miss Wheelchair USA competition is very similar to the traditional Miss USA contest.  “The largest difference is that we did not do a swimsuit competition,” Phaedra said.  The contestants are judged on appearance, their accomplishments and goals. One of the major differentiators is that they are also judged for the work they do as leaders in the field for women with disabilities. The goal of the Miss Wheelchair America pageant is to promote glamour, self-confidence and community service. “Society just doesn’t think women in chairs are beautiful and the reality is we’re pretty amazing,” Phaedra said. Read more

A Helpful Disability Resource

Have you heard about the National Organization on Disability? If not, you are missing out an important resource to help you live life to the fullest as a disabled person. Founded in 1982, the National Organization on Disability is supported by grants from such notable organizations as the Ford Foundation, Lockheed-Martin, UPS, and the American Red Cross, just to name a few.

The mission of the National Organization on Disability (NOD) is to expand the participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women, and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. Our current focus is on improving employment prospects for America’s 33 million working-aged Americans with disabilities.

Although many of the programs of NOD are far-reaching and have impact at the state level, they still have plenty or resources to help the disabled. If you have a few minutes, take a look at what they have to offer.

National Organization on Disability

A Factory Built Wheelchair Accessible Van

Anyone who has had to purchase a wheelchair accessible van, ramp van, or a lift van knows how expensive the customization can be. Taking a factory made van, lowering the floor, and installing a ramp is a labor intensive process. Nearly all of these vans are customized by relatively small specialty shops, and while these shops often do great work, factory support isn’t there if something goes wrong.

So we were excited to see that the first factory built wheelchair accessible van will be available soon. Dubbed the “MV-1″, and looking like a cross between a truck and a minivan, this new vehicle could prove to be very useful.

Wheelchair Pride has a nice story on this great new vehicle – you can see their article here for more information.

Obama Addresses ADA’s 20th Anniversary

President Obama addressed a ceremony honoring the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, calling it “one of the most comprehensive civil rights bills in the history of this country.”

The law requires buildings, transportation facilities, and commercial facilities to be accessible to the physically challenged and guarantees employee rights for people with disabilities.  President Obama said that the ADA has served to “tear down the physical and social barriers” and stressed “not dependence, but independence”. The President also signed an executive order designed to improve enforcement of the ADA. Read more

More Extreme Wheelchair Stunts with Aaron Fotheringham

Aaron Fotheringham has taken a fact of life for him – being in a wheelchair – and converted that into something that can show others the power of resilience. In the first 20 seconds of this video, Aaron falls or crashes several times. It’s not the crashes that are important, though. It’s that he gets back up, keeps trying new tricks, and has almost single-handedly created the extreme sport of hardcore sitting.

We think Aaron is great and hope he keeps trying tricks and keeps living his dream.

Celebrate Ed Roberts Disability Rights Day

UC Berkeley may be one of the most accessible, disabled-friendly universities in the United States. Much of that is thanks to one man, Ed Roberts.

Roberts, who became a quadriplegic after contracting polio as a teenager, was admitted as a student in 1962 to the Berkeley campus. He immediately found difficulty in obtaining campus housing, however, as campus housing officials refused to accommodate the 800-lb iron lung he had to sleep in. Read more

T-shirt Designer with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy in the News

Jared Aronson, founder of Madhouse Tees, is a T-shirt designer living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. But, he doesn’t want to be perceived as the disabled guy in a wheelchair using a breathing tube. Jared is an artist who has been drawing since he was a young child. And even though drawing became more and more difficult over the years as paralysis gradually overtook most of his body, Jared kept drawing new T-shirt designs on his computer using only his thumb and a mouse. Read more