"I stow my powerchair and drive from a standard driver’s seat

Colin, a retired teacher from Plymouth, recently took delivery of his first wheelchair accessible vehicle (WAV) – our Ford Connect WAV. Here, he shares how driving his WAV has transformed his life and given him back his independence.

“My wheelchair accessible vehicle from Sirus has completely transformed my life. Instead of a Drive From Wheelchair vehicle, I have a Ford Connect rear passenger WAV. I stow my powerchair in the back and drive from a standard driver’s seat using bespoke driving adaptations. Now I can get out and about whenever and wherever I want without needing my wife or children to lift my wheelchair in and out of the boot.

Before My Sirus Vehicle

Previously I had a Toyota RAV 4 hybrid and used a 25kg folding wheelchair, which my wife had to lift in and out of the boot. The weight began to become too much, so we rarely went out. We started looking for a wheelchair accessible vehicle in 2023 as my new powerchair was arriving in February 2024.

rear passeger wav

Space for six people

There’s plenty of room in the back for my sons, and when I took my parents out, they mentioned how smooth and comfortable the ride was. The seating flexibility is perfect for us and meets all our needs. If I don’t want to drive, I can travel in the rear and we have space for six people. It’s lovely having the flexibility to choose depending on the situation. If I have a particularly large load I put my folding wheelchair in the rear and have a massive boot!

Ford Connect

I love the Ford Connect because it looks and drives like a car—I didn’t want a large van, as it would be difficult to park, especially in some of the busy car parks on the south coast. I’ve always liked the Ford brand, and the Connect is very easy to drive.

Driving Adaptations

My vehicle has a 13-way Lodegsons control, a left foot flip accelerator, and a steering ball, which enable me to drive. I’m particularly grateful for the reversing camera that Sirus installed, as I have a steep driveway and often face inconsiderate parking.

Freedom and Independence

Since receiving my Sirus wheelchair accessible vehicle, I’ve regained my freedom and independence. Previously, I couldn’t go out alone because my wife or one of my sons had to accompany me to lift my wheelchair. Now, I can just hop in the car and go wherever I like—and even act as a taxi for my four sons! I also have a season ticket for Plymouth Argyle, so now we can drive there as a family.

Sirus Service

I’m really happy with the service I received from Sirus. The car arrived quickly and had a wide choice of colours. After waiting since July last year for a different, larger vehicle, I was amazed that Sirus delivered my new car in just eight weeks.

I’d like to personally thank Fiona for all her help. She’s been fantastic—she kept me updated on the car’s progress, explained everything clearly, and always got back to me right away. I’ve already sent positive reviews to Motability, and I hope the delivery driver passed on my thanks for the excellent service.

Thanks again for helping me get my vehicle so quickly. I can already see the benefits of having this car and the freedom it provides with my new powerchair”.

Find out more about our Ford WAV and book a free home demonstration.