Where Have All the "Two-Doors" Gone?
By PN: Paraplegia News, Vol. 58, No. 4, pp. 46-49Publication Date: April 2004
Article discusses the Honda Element, which is described as an excellent van/sport utility vehicle for people who use wheelchairs. The vehicle has no center doorposts, so the user can put a wheelchair in without even having to fold it first. The seat height was a concern for one user, who consulted a vehicle modification shop called Dynamic Designs to make some necessary changes. The springs were removed from the suspension and replaced with airbags so that the vehicle could be lowered to a 24-inch height for seat entry, and raised back to the original height for driving mode. The lift/lowering of the vehicle is accomplished via computer controls as well as compressors. Armor All multipurpose protectant was applied to the water-resistant seats so that the user could easily slide across, and a higher center console was installed to support heavier loads during transfer. The hand controls are all push/pull devices, and a remote starter allows for simple starting and engine shutdown. People who are interested in said vehicle modifications are encouraged to contact Dynamic Designs via the Internet at http://www.dynamicdesignsLI.com.
Published by: PVA Publications (Website:http://www.pvamagazines.com)
Paralyzed Veterans of America (Web Site: http://www.pva.org )
