Approximately 5.5 million Americans are currently using a wheelchair due to short-term or long-term physical mobility issues. Their lives don’t just roll to a stop, though, and having reliable transportation is a must. This includes a vehicle that is easy to get in and out of so you can reach any destination.

At Westchester Toyota, we are often asked whether certain used vehicles, particularly the Toyota Sienna, can be made wheelchair accessible. This minivan’s interior is plenty spacious to fit a wheelchair, but in its standard configuration, getting the wheelchair and its occupants in and out can be a challenge. In this guide, we’re looking at ways to make the Sienna wheelchair accessible, the benefits of each option, and how to find a used Toyota Sienna for sale that doesn’t let being wheelchair-bound create a boundary to living your life.

The Toyota Mobility Program

The short answer is that yes, a used Toyota Sienna can be made wheelchair accessible. Toyota established its official Mobility Program in 2001 when it started offering a wheelchair lift for the Tundra pickup truck. Since then, they have added seven other vehicle models, including the Sienna, to the program while increasing the availability of mobility equipment. Accessibility conversions are available for new and used Toyota vehicles.

The most important item you need for any conversion is a wheelchair ramp. As part of the mobility program, Toyota works with two companies to supply wheelchair ramps and other equipment for Sienna minivans. BraunAbility offers the Rampvan in fold-out and in-floor configurations, while Vantage Mobility International (VMI) provides Access360 and E360 in-floor wheelchair ramps. Let’s look more closely at each setup to see which is right for you.

Fold-Out Ramp vs In-Floor Ramp

A fold-out van wheelchair ramp with side rails is the standard accessibility design that offers a strong, affordable way to add accessibility. The ramp lays flat when extended out of the vehicle, then folds against the van door when traveling. As part of the conversion, the stock floor is replaced with a purpose-built model that increases the door opening height and “kneels” as you open the ramp, lowering the angle so it’s easier to roll a wheelchair up and inside. The biggest drawbacks are that they reduce the interior space available and may block other controls.

In-floor wheelchair ramps have a newer layout where the ramp folds up for storage beneath the floor in a special compartment. They also “kneel” when opening. Many people like in-floor ramps because they leave more interior space for people and luggage. There are a few potential downsides, though. The side rails are lower so the ramp can fit in the compartment, and some have a floor-to-ramp transition plate that can be harder to navigate. In-floor ramps also cost more to install because more extensive floor and chassis reconfigurations are needed.

Side Entry vs Rear Entry

Although most Sienna wheelchair ramps are side entry, you can get a rear entry installation. The side-entry ramp has many advantages. For starters, it gives wheelchair users seating flexibility, allowing access to the front seating area as a passenger or driver. Side ramps also allow entry and exit directly to the curb or sidewalk and leave the cargo area available. On the other hand, they limit your options in traditional parking lots because the ramp needs so much space to the side of the vehicle. Even if you have enough room when getting out, another car can park too closely and prevent you from getting in. There may also be less room to maneuver inside the vehicle because of the fender well placement.

Rear-entry wheelchair vans solve the parking lot issue, letting you park anywhere. Users can also go directly into their seating area without turning, and installation tends to cost less than side-entry ramps. However, while they’re great for traditional parking lots, they can cause problems in tightly packed street parking. Also, the only way for the wheelchair user to get to the front seats is to remove all the other seating rows. Finally, while some automatic side ramps are automatic, rear ramps tend to be manual only, so the user must have a caregiver or partner with them.

Other Accessibility Equipment

Although ramps are the main way to make a used Toyota Sienna wheelchair accessible, they aren’t the only option. Here are the other adaptive equipment solutions that Toyota can arrange when converting a Sienna minivan.

• Hand controls: By installing controls for the accelerator and brakes on the steering wheel, people with limited leg use can still drive a Sienna, restoring some of their independence and freedom. Special steering devices and left-foot gas pedals are also available depending on needs.
• Rear wheelchair lifts: If a user wants to sit in a regular van seat, whether for preference or to increase total seating capacity, a lift can hoist the unoccupied wheelchair into the rear cargo area.
• Wheelchair restraints: Similar to truck bed tie-downs, these restraints strap the wheelchair in place so it doesn’t roll or slide around, improving safety while driving.
• Power swivel and lift seats: The BraunAbility Turny Evo Lift-up Seat is a special in-vehicle seat that rotates, moves outside the van, and lowers to the appropriate height to transfer occupants to a wheelchair or scooter.
• Hitch-mount carriers: If your Sienna has a tow hitch, you can get a wheelchair carrier installed that leaves the cargo space open when the weather is nice. The carrier will also raise and lower the wheelchair.

Toyota offers a needs assessment to determine what equipment you should include in your conversion. You can also work with the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists to explore solutions and receive training for the various equipment.

How Do I Get a Wheelchair Accessible Toyota Sienna?

Once you’ve decided what used Sienna you want, there are two options for getting it in a wheelchair-accessible design. If your local dealership is an authorized Toyota Mobility Dealer, they can arrange equipment installation by a conversion partner. If the nearest dealer is not a Mobility Dealer, the salesperson will help you find one in Toyota’s referral network. The dealership can also alert you to federal and state financial assistance that’s available to help defray the conversion cost.

For both, Toyota provides full order tracking so you receive regular updates and know when your wheelchair-accessible Sienna is ready. The van is delivered to the Mobility Dealer you specify for easy pickup. Your salesperson might even be able to find a used Sienna that already has some or all the accessibility features you need. The conversion partner provides a full warranty on their work and may offer other features to assist with your experience. For example, BraunAbility can add ramp lighting to assist at night and equip your Sienna with SmartSuite+, a diagnostic system that alerts you if the equipment needs maintenance or repair.

Order a Wheelchair Accessible Sienna from Westchester Toyota

Transportation for people with physical disabilities doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. By owning a used Toyota Sienna van equipped with mobility features, anyone in a wheelchair or scooter can get where they need to go and enjoy a greater level of independence. You also receive all the other benefits of a pre-owned Sierra, including excellent value and reliability on a versatile family vehicle.

Do you need a wheelchair accessible used Toyota Sienna for yourself, a client, or a loved one? Visit us or give us a call. We are an official Toyota Mobility Dealer and can arrange for any used Sienna to be converted to a handicap-accessible van. Like all vehicles, a wheelchair-friendly Sienna is part of our buying process that we’ve dubbed the Smart Way to Buy. We put customers first by ensuring they get the right vehicle within their budget while treating them with respect and integrity.