Sometimes it takes an unexpected event to unveil a very significant roadside safety need for drivers of personal Wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV).
When a friend drove his WAV vehicle to the local grocery store and returned to the parking lot to find that the van had a problem that required it to be towed back to the dealership…….. This situation put a spotlighted on the question of …………..How does the person requiring wheelchair transport find a ride home after their vehicle is towed back to the dealership for repairs? ………..
In this situation it was 20 degree weather getting dark out and he lived about 2 miles away from the location the van was towed away from. He drives a rechargeable electric wheelchair. He is unable to transfer into another vehicle from his wheelchair and lives in an area where there is no WAV Uber or Lift services and dealerships have no WAV response vehicles or plan that helps out in this situation!
He ended up driving his electric wheelchair back to his home. Thankfully the situation ended safely but truly reveled a HUGE NEED for SAFE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE for people driving independent WAV vehicles.
My hope and plan for helping to resolve this situation is to develop a non profit organization that will provide a solution for the individuals who drive WAV vehicles. By developing a WAV owners association that drivers of the WAV vehicles could join. The plan would be to build a national website where WAV owners can access if they find themselves in this sort of need. When you are stranded without a ride you would be able to type in the zip code where you are located and the website will locate other members or dealerships who choose to participate and also drive or own WAV vehicles in your surrounding area, providing a way for those who completely understand the situation need to provide help and assistance to each other. As a caregiver to those who drive and need WAV vehicle transportation I also plan on being an active part of the website and “response plan” responder. I would love to own a manual WAV van that I would be able to use to respond to help those who find themselves in need of assistance.
The development of this plan however not only will involve startup costs but also website building knowledge and abilities beyond what I am currently able to independently provide. If there is anyone out there who is willing to help with developing this plan through donating website building skills or help with financial assistance please reach out to me.
I have many years of experience driving and transporting people in many different types of WAV vehicles and trained in safety procedures and appropriately securing wheelchairs for transportation.
Please feel free to respond in the comments or contact me directly.
With Respect, Hope, Joy and Love, Carmela
Carmela Snelbaker 