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Wheelchair and Wheelchair Van Rental
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Wheelchair and Wheelchair Van Rental
Wheelchair and Wheelchair van rental can make travel much easier for a wheelchair user. Wheelchair rental solves several problems for travelers:
Wheelchairs are often damaged during air travel by baggage handlers or shifting cargo. On international flights liability for damage to wheelchairs may be limited to under $1300
Wheelchairs built for one environment, may not function optimally in another enviornment. For example, in the USA and northern Europe most wheelchairs are built with 3 inch casters (front wheels) because these are more maneuverable. But in many countries casters are 5 inch or larger. The reason is that many in many countries streets and sidewalks may have holes, cracks and uneven surfaces that make wheelchairs unstable. Another example is that in some countries the doorways may be quite narrow and furniture may be placed more closely together. As a result, European wheelchairs are often narrower and shorter than those found in the US.
If your wheelchair or scooter is power operated, it may not work in other countries without some kind of adaptor. In the USA 110 volts is standard, but in much of the world 220 volts is standard. Before traveling check to see if your power wheelchair or scooter has a built in transformer. If not, you may need to take one with you. Further just about every country has its own standard of plug and power socket. A few examples are shown in the photo but plugs vary greatly from country to country.
If something on your wheelchair breaks you may find it difficult to get it repaired when traveling abroad as many spare parts will be difficult to find in foreign countries. If you do take your own wheelchair, take an emergency repair kit with you.
Renting a wheelchair solves all of these problems for you. The wheelchair you rent may not fit you as well as your own, but it will most likely fit the environment that you are traveling to as it was made to be used there.
Wheelchair van rental will give a wheelchair user mobility in foreign countries. Some developed countries have accessible public transport, but many countries do not. Having access to a wheelchair van or adapted vehicle means you will be freely mobile wherever you travel.
Before renting any equipment be sure to clarify:
Is there delivery or will you have to pick it up?
Is a deposit required?
Always do a thorough damage inspection before you accept delivery. Note any damage on the receipt before you sign it and make sure you keep a copy.
What do you do if the equipment breaksdown or needs repair?
If renting for a long term, find out about maintenance requirements.
What is your financial liability in case of loss or damage?
Is insurance covered in the cost or is it additional?
Are you allowed to take the vehicle or equipment out of state or out of the country?
Do you understand how to use it? If not, make sure you receive a users manual in your language.
For vehicles such as scooters and vans make sure you understand if the insurance covers liability, medical and collision damage.
Check the legal situation, as each country will likely have different requirements. If renting a vehicle will your drivers license be acceptable? Are there any other documents you will be required to bring with you?
Below are links to wheelchair and wheelchair van rental companies from around the world. As a rule we have avoided including travel agencies which supply equipment as they will generally act as 'go betweens' and increase the cost of the rental. However, in rare cases travel agencies are included. We communicated with some but not all of the organizations listed below. We can not be certain that the information listed on the websites is correct and up to date.
Australia
Wheelchair Van Rental Wheel About
Wheelchair Van Rental WheelAway
Wheelchair Van Rental Auto Rent
Wheelchair Van Rental Disability Hire
Wheelchair Van Rental Mini Cost
Wheelchair Van Rental Hire Mobility
Wheelchair Rental Wheelchairs To Go
Austria
Sports Car Rental Ferrari Vermietung
Wheelchair Rental Bstandig
Canada
Wheelchair Rental in British Columbia Health Linc
Wheelchair Van Rental in British Columbia Freedom Rentals
Cyprus
Wheelchair Rental Cyprus Disability Hire
Wheelchair Rental Paraquip
Wheelchair Rental Mobility Cyprus
France
Wheelchair Van Rental Libertans
Wheelchair and Wheelchair Van Rental PTITCAR
From Christophe MOLITOR: "My company PTITCAR offers rental of an adapted van with or without driver, rental of wheelchair, powerchair or motorized scooter. We can deliver the van or wheelchair to the airport or directly to a hotel."
Adapted Vehicle Rental Europcar
"Europcar has made 15 specially equipped Volkswagen Golfs (automatic gear-box, manual braking and accelerator controls) available to people with limited mobility. These cars are available at Roissy Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports (personal service). Branches also have specially adapted minibuses available for a minimum 3 days rental. Bookings by simple prior reservation, 72 hours in advance"
Adapted Vehicle Rental Holiday Cars
Germany
We have been informed that many shops that sell disability products, 'Sanitätshäuser' in German, will rent wheelchairs. Click here to find a few German Sanitätshäuser listed by Bundesland, or state. The challenge will be to find one that can communicate with you in a language other than German. Below are some companies which rent wheelchair vans in Germany:
Wheelchair Van Rental in Frankfurt and Munich Accessible Van Rental
Wheelchair Van Rental in Munich Sander Auto Rental
Wheelchair Van Rental in Hamburg Koester Altona
Wheelchair Van Rental in Berlin Reha Mobile
Wheelchair Van Rental in Chemintz Czernig
Wheelchair Van Rental in Chemintz Rollitrans
Wheelchair Van Rental near Heidelberg Baumann Reha
Greece
Wheelchair Van Rental Avance Car Rental
Hungary
Wheelchair and Wheelchair Van Rental Handicapeer
Ireland
Wheelchair Rental Advance Electrical Mobility
Wheelchair Rental MMS Medical
Wheelchair Rental Open Door
Israel
Wheelchair Van Rental Orthopedit
Italy
Wheelchair Rental Accessible Italy
Wheelchair Rental Accessible Italian Holiday
Netherlands
Almost every Dutch company will be able to communicate with you in English. Just find the contact us page and write for more information.
Wheelchair Van Rental Bierman
Wheelchair Van Rental Lobbes I wrote to Peter and he said "I am the first rental company that only have adapted cars for rent. I’ll see my customers as kings and queens"
Wheelchair Rental Breugel
Wheelchair Rental Revacore Their site is only in Dutch. But I wrote to them and they assured me that they rent wheelchairs and scooters. They will deliver at an extra charge.
New Zealand
Wheelchair Van Rental Galaxy Autos
Adapted Car Rental Big Save Rentals
Portugal
Wheelchair and Wheelchair Van Rental Wheeling Around the Algarve
Wheelchair Rental Mobility Abroad
Wheelchair Rental Accessible Portugal
South Africa
Wheelchair Rental Mobility Zone
Adventure Wheelchair Rental Get Motivated
Spain (including Canary Islands)
Sol Mobility a Gran Canaria Mobility & Disabled Services Provider for holiday rental and repairs of wheelchairs, mobility scooters and all other disability equipment in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands.
Lero offers rental and sale of devices for people with limited mobility as well as pick-up service for travellers and outings with specially equipped vehicles on the island of Tenerife.
Wheelchair Rental Eurocare Mobility
Wheelchair Rental Mobility Abroad
Wheelchair Rental Orange Badge
Wheelchair Rental Gero Shopper
Wheelchair Rental Costa Del Sol Mobility Services
Wheelchair Rental Island Mobility
Wheelchair and Wheelchair Van Rental Wheels on Holiday
Switzerland
Wheelchair Van Rental Mietauto
Wheelchair Van Rental Mobil Center Von Rotz. The website is only in German, but I wrote to Mrs Von Rotz and she assured me that her company rents wheelchairs, scooters and wheelchair vans. They can also pick up customers at airports if required.
United Kingdom
Fred Walton offers sale and rental of wheelchairs throughout the UK.
Adapted Vehicle Hire now has the largest and most diverse fleet of adapted vehicles in the UK.
Eddie Manning offers London Wheelchair Rental and/or a London transfer service. He can meet arrivals at Heathrow airport, with wheelchair for rent.
Wheelchair Rental throughout the UK Just Mobility
Wheelchair Rental Brigend Wheelchair Hire
Wheelchair Rental Direct Mobility
Wheelchair Rental City Mobility
Wheelchair Loan Red Cross
Wheelchair Van Rental Scoot
Wheelchair Van Rental Wheelchair Travel
Wheelchair Van Rental Autobility
Wheelchair Van Rental Thorntrees Garage
USA
Wheelchair Rental in Orlando Fla Care Medical
Wheelchair Rental in Orlando Fla Walker Mobility
Wheelchair Rental in Washington DC Area Zask Medical
Wheelchair and Wheelchair Van Rental in Florida Medical Travel
Wheelchair Van Rental in Florida Rainbow Wheels
Wheelchair Van Rental in Florida Discount Mobility
Wheelchair Van Rental in Hawaii Access Aloha
Wheelchair Rental Rent A Wheelchair
Wheelchair Van Rental Accessible Vans
Wheelchair Van Rental Wheelchair Getaways
Wheelchair Van Rental Wheelchair Van Rental
World-Wide
Hertz offers vehicles fitted with hand controls that are suitable for customers that have a lower limb disability but full use of the upper body. The service is available at most USA and Canadian locations, major gateways in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Spain, and all locations in the UK with no minimum keep. The service is also available at more remote European locations on rentals of five days or more.
Avis announced a service called 'Avis Access'. According to their press release, the autos include: Transfer Board, Swivel Seat, Spinner Knob, Panoramic Mirror, Hand Controls. They also offer Accessible Buses Service with ramps or lifts. Oddly, Avis Access is not mentioned on the Avis website. Contact Avis for more information.
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