Messiah College purchased a 2000 Dodge Caravan with Braun conversion in March 2006. The Office of Disability Services has sought such a vehicle for several years, primarily due to several of our students with disabilities being stranded from time-to-time when attempting to travel to or from the campus and local transportation hubs. Field trips and road-concerts have required the College to rent a lift-equipped van, sometimes having to rely on a vehicle designed as an ambulance. Feeling that students with disabilities deserve the same kind of access to scheduled or impromptu activities as able-bodied students, an accessible van was a priority purchase.

Drivers must be specially trained to operate the van. Not only is the van equipped with a power side-door and folding ramp, it has a unique “kneeling” feature which can lower the van an additional three inches to improve entry and exit. The lower floor means that ground-clearance is less, so drivers must drive more slowly over speed bumps. More importantly, persons in wheel-chairs must be properly secured for safety reasons. Potential drivers are trained in operating the van, but also in correctly securing a wheelchair using the straps and brackets provided. If attached improperly, damage could result to an expensive wheelchair or expose anyone in the van to needless risk of injury.

Students who use wheelchairs are encouraged to arrange for training of preferred drivers so that local trips to medical appointments, job interviews, or local stores can be made without long-term reservations. The College encourages use for personal reasons, but does charge the individual for such use at the standard rate for other College-owned cars or minivans. Use for sponsored academic events where attendance is required is charged to the sponsoring department.

Faculty and staff who find they have a need to transport a person in a wheelchair are encouraged to inquire about use of the vehicle. The size and configuration of the van allows for use by a wide-range of individuals. The unit blends right in with our fleet of cars and vans, allowing the person in the wheelchair the dignity of normal transportation. The College encourages a mixed group of students rather than the person in a wheelchair having to travel with just their driver. The van is equipped with a full back seat as well as removable driver and front passenger seats to allow more than one wheelchair-user or a mixed group of individuals. There are no hand-controls installed, so drivers must be able to use standard hand- and foot-controls.

Reservations can be made through the switchboard office in Eisenhower Campus Center. Training of drivers can be arranged through the Department of Safety or the Office of Disability Services. Reservations made 1-2 days in advance are encouraged but not required at this time.

The College has reserved the right to use the van as an alternative 5-passenger vehicle at times when students are unlikely to require access, such as during holiday closures or summer breaks and when other vehicles are not available. The van is limited to local, day-use only for those purposes. It is not to be used for hauling equipment or freight that might damage essential equipment related to use for students and others with disabilities.

Wheelchair Accessible Minivan Policy