Until just a few years ago, life was more complicated for anyone who relied on a wheelchair or power scooter to get around town. You probably had to call for public transportation or rely on a family member or a friend to help you get into a vehicle … and then load your wheelchair or scooter into the trunk or back of the van. Such a major production!

When going out for a meal or just to the routine shopping became a major exercise in logistics, most people found it to be more hard work than it was worth and spent far too much time sitting at home. It seemed the only time they got out was when there was no choice such as doctor’s appointments, or if someone was willing to help with your mobility. Sometimes, a spouse was capable of helping with the heavy lifting, but it put them at risk for such things as back problems, etc. For most physically challenged people, limited mobility made day-to-day activities frustrating and wearisome.

Mobility has changed greatly over the years as advanced technology effectively addressed the needs of those with mobility issues. Gone are the days when the only vehicles that featured lifts capable of dealing with wheelchairs and power scooters were the ones provided by the city or the state, and only available at certain times of day. The earliest models were built around full size vans using large, heavy duty hydraulic lifts that took up a huge amount of space on the inside. While these vans definitely helped restore mobility, they were very expensive and, due to their size and weight, were expensive to drive from a gasoline standpoint.

It is a new day! Have you taken a very close look at the latest in mobility vans? Do you know where you can turn to improve your mobility at a price you can actually afford?

With a little research, you are going to find that there are companies like The Mobility Resource, that are now providing a range of different products aimed specifically at helping those who have limited mobility or have none at all.

To start, we offer swivel seats that can be installed in most vehicles to make it much easier for anyone with limited mobility to get in and out with minimal assistance. If you are not able to use this type of seating, there are a number of different wheelchair and scooter lifts to choose from based on your needs and the type of vehicle you are planning to use. For those who are just looking for a simple way to lift and store their scooter, there are relatively inexpensive outside lifts too.

If you are more interested in remaining in your wheelchair while travelling, the most popular choice today is a wheelchair accessible minivan. The floor has been lowered to provide the interior height to allow a person to roll into the van while in their wheelchair. No transferring is required. The person and the wheelchair can be secure safely in the vehicle for comfortable travel anywhere. If desired, special transfer seats are available allowing easy transfer into an automotive seat for the ride. All transferring is done inside the vehicle, away from the elements outside.

Minivans can be the ultimate choice for a mobility vehicle as they are much easier to drive, easier to find parking spaces and more importantly, given today's high cost of fuel, are far more affordable to drive. To learn more about your options, visit us at The Mobility Resource. Through our nationwide network of dealers, we offer a full range of lifts and vans and will help you make the right choices for mobility.