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Glossary
| Below is a glossary of terms used to refer to equipment and fittings in vehicles that have been converted to take wheelchairs :- |
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WAV = wheelchair accessible vehicle |
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Ramp
The most common type of ramp for wheelchair access is usually at the rear of the vehicle where it is bolted on to the floor and consists of either one or two pieces of strong steel sheeting, which fold down to rest on the ground when uploading the wheelchair and which stand vertically when the vehicle is in motion. |
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Lowered Floor
A lowered floor is one in which part of the floor of a standard production vehicle has been removed and replaced with a modified part, so as to be closer to the ground. This makes the gradient between the ground and the floor of the vehicle smaller and thus helps with ease of access to the vehicle by the wheelchair user. It also enables a shorter length ramp to be used and increases the headroom.The lowered floor is a common feature in the smaller class of disabled access vehicles such as the Renault Kangoo and Citroen Berlingo and also some of the medium class such as the Citroen Dispatch, Fiat Scudo and Peugeot Expert. |
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Floor Lowering Systems
These are usually hydraulically operated and can further reduce the height from the ground of a vehicle, which already has a lowered floor. An alternative lowering system is sometimes provided by air suspension. These systems are not in place of a lowered floor but are an addition that further enhances wheelchair accessibility. |
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Wheelchair Lift, also referred to as a Chair Lift orTail Lift
This is an hydraulically operated platform that is fitted to a frame at the rear of the vehicle that lowers to ground level to accept the wheelchair and then rises to the level of the vehicle's floor. It is simply a matter of pushing a button on a hand held remote control to activate the lift and it makes the task of moving the wheelchair into the vehicle very simple. The most well know make of chair lift is the Ricon. |
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Winch (usually supplied with a hand held remote control)
An electrically powered motor with webbing or very strong cord wound around a drum. The webbing or chord, to which is attached two straps, can be unreeled from the drum, (using the remote control to activate the motor), to reach past the unfolded ramp and then the two straps can be attached to the front legs of the wheelchair. This can then be drawn up the ramp and into the vehicle. |
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Wheelchair Restraint Belts / Wheelchair Occupant's Safety Harness
These are nearly always supplied with a wheelchair accessible vehicle. They are usually a set of four belts of webbing with tightening buckles that are anchored to the floor at one end of each belt. The free ends are attached to the four legs of the wheelchair and then tightened. In this way the wheelchair is kept stable while travelling. Most wheelchair restraint systems are either manual, semi-automatic or electrically operated. In the last two, the belts are retractable and self- tensioning.
The wheelchair's occupant also needs security within the chair when travellingand this is provided by a lap and diagonal inertia reel seatbelt with double buckle system, which allows a correct fit around the wheelchair.
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Headroom
This is the distance between the floor and the roof, measured within the vehicle at a point where the wheelchair is positioned for travelling.
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High Roof
These are fitted to some vehicles and offer an alternative way to gain extra headroom than that provided by a standard production model. As high roofs are not usually fitted to a vehicle with a lowered floor, there is a steeper gradient between the ground and the floor of a high roof vehicle than when the floor has been lowered. An electrically powered winch with extending belts that attach to the front legs of the wheelchair and facilitate the loading of the wheelchair into the vehicle, is often used to compensate for the gradient of the ramp. |
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Why Norwich Union Direct?
Remember, if you do have to make a claim, you will benefit from Norwich Union's Clubline claims service, where you can be sure that they'll be there when you need them, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
You could also benefit from:
- Up to 70% No Claims Discount
- Legal expenses cover
- Protected No claims Discount
- Competitively priced car breakdown cover
- Courtesy Car
- Innovative Physiotherapy Cover
- Three-year accident repair guarantee through an approved repairer network.
- Foreign use and European breakdown cover.
Should you wish to take advantage of the
Norwich Union Direct annual Insurance policy,
it would be activated from day 8.
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