The Traveling Wheelchair

249 East Washington Street
North Attleboro, MA 02760
Phone: 508-643-0605
Toll free: 888-RIDE-AWAY
http://www.ride-away.com/

Since becoming disabled 22 years ago, my parents have always provided me with a full size wheelchair accessible conversion van. I use this van when I go out with my mom and dad; travel on vacations; transport my Beach Wheelchair to the beach; and when my community home van is in for service or repairs. Recently my parents sold my full size van for it was 10 years old. They decided to purchase a smaller conversion minivan because it would be better on gas and easier for my mom to drive for she always complained the full size van was way too big for her to drive :>)

My mom and dad chose to go to Ride-Away to look for a van for me. Ride-Away is America’s largest provider of used and new wheelchair accessible vans and adaptive equipment for persons like me with a disability. Ride-Away has over 350 accessible vans in stock throughout their 11 East Coast locations. The closest Ride-Away to me is in North Attleboro.

I’ve been to Ride-Away in North Attleboro before because my community home van was purchased there and we have brought it there for some service. Lee Sable, the Service Manager has been very helpful and always treated me with kindness and respect.

My mom first went to Ride-Away last week and spoke with Sarah Hogan, Mobility Consultant and Charlie Robillard, General Manager. She told them we are looking for a slightly used wheelchair accessible minivan with few miles; lowered floor; retractable Wheelchair Tiedowns and Occupant Restraints (WTORS) that are SAEJ2249 approved; a rear-entry for my wheelchair; rear ramp; and rear windows that open. Not all minivans have rear windows that open and because it can get hot sitting in the rear, I considered this a priority. Sarah and Charlie quickly found a slightly used 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA that was at their New Hampshire location. They had it driven to North Attleboro the very same day and mom later brought me back to see it.

Entering Ride-Away is easy for the entry doors are automatic with a simple push of a button. Once inside, we were warmly greeted by a nice receptionist. Ride-Away is very wheelchair friendly and accessible. Inside is spacious with plenty of room to maneuver my chair. The restroom is a large single restroom that is spacious, wheelchair accessible and fully ADA compliant.

Charlie Robillard, General Manager, Sarah Hogan, Mobility Consultant and Lee Sable, Service Manager kindly greeted me. They helped get my wheelchair into the Toyota Sienna Van. It has Viewpoint Mobility’s Vision conversion which is a rear-entry, lowered floor modification that is engineered to make minivans barrier-free.

Charlie, Sarah and Lee are all very knowledgeable and fully trained on ‘Transportation Safety for Wheelchair-Seated Travelers’.

I was very impressed with their knowledge of how to properly place my wheelchair in the van and apply the Wheelchair Tiedowns and Occupant Restraints (WTORS) safely on me. The WTORS equipment is all Q’Straint, which is one of the best. Transportation safety is especially important to my parents and me as you can read on my page for W/C Passenger Safety.

Charlie, Sarah and Lee kindly offered to let us take the van home for a night so I could see how I felt driving in it and show it to my dad. I felt so safe and secure driving in it!! I fell in love with it. My dad loved it too!

The very next day, my mom and dad decided to purchase the van from Ride-Away :>)

My parents asked if a rubber mat could be installed on the lowered floor where my wheelchair sits; for it saves on wear and tear of the carpet and is easy to clean. You can see the rubber mat in this picture. Lee did a great job installing the rubber mat and getting the van ready for us to pick up.

Lee told us ‘Operational Conversion Maintenance’ is recommended every 6 months for power equipment but only every 12 months for us because it is manual equipment. Ride-Away will send us a reminder in the mail in 12 months. Charlie and Sarah were great and did all the needed paperwork and even got the van registered for us.

Friday afternoon, my mom, Josh, my roommate, Kevin and Josh, my friends all went with me to pick my van. Charlie, Sarah and Lee were all WONDEFUL!! They spent a great deal of time explaining the warrantees and paperwork; making sure my wheelchair and WTORS were safely secured and perfectly positioned. Plus they showed my mom and friends everything they need to know about driving the van. They told us to call anytime we need any help or have any questions. Ride-Away has someone on call 24 hours / 7 days a week for emergencies.

I highly recommend Ride-Away to all who are shopping for a wheelchair accessible van and adaptive equipment. Their customer service is EXCELLENT!

I give Ride-Away FIVE STARS for wheelchair accessibility. I give Charlie, Sarah and Lee FIVE STARS PLUS for their understanding, sensitivity, respect and commitment to providing safe and accessible vehicles to the disabled. THANK YOU CHARLIE, SARAH AND LEE!!