A wheelchair-accessible van provides self-reliance and independence.
Buying a wheelchair accessible van is expensive. If you already own a van, accessible conversions can cost between $12,000 to $16,000. Most people cannot afford to convert or buy a new van. It's possible to finance a wheelchair-accessible van, but if you have a fixed income, it's cost-prohibitive. Non-profit organizations and private foundations have grants available for van conversions, adaptive driving equipment and wheelchair-accessible vans.
Weber Foundation of Helping Hands Grants
The Weber Foundation of Helping Hands was founded in 2000. It helps individuals and families in dire need or in catastrophic situations. The foundation provides direct financial assistance to individuals and families, and it has awarded grants to individuals to buy wheelchair-accessible vans. Foundation grants are limited to residents of Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Weber Foundation of Helping Hands
P.O. Box 760863
Melrose, MA 02176
theweberfoundation.com
Travis Roy Foundation Grants
The Travis Roy Foundation, established in 1997, seeks to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries and to fund research into a cure. A portion of the money raised by the foundation goes toward adaptive equipment. Grants are awarded to paraplegics or quadriplegics paralyzed because of a spinal cord injury. Grants are available for modifications and conversions. They are disbursed directly to suppliers of the desired equipment or modifications.
Travis Roy Foundation
Hemenway & Barnes LLP
60 State St., Eighth Floor
Boston, MA 02109
617-619-8257
travisroyfoundation.org
Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation Grants
The Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation's mission is to enhance and strengthen the lives of individuals with neuromuscular diseases and provide resources to help them succeed. Grants cover wheelchairs, specialized driving equipment, hospital beds, van lifts, home ramps and shower chairs. The program may provide the product, help locate it or help fund it. The foundation's Miracle Dreams for Families program helps client families with larger items.
Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation
7220 U.S. 31 South
Indianapolis, IN 46227
800-544-1213
mdff.org
Tags: Dystrophy Family, Dystrophy Family Foundation, Family Foundation, Foundation Helping, Foundation Helping Hands, Helping Hands
