BraunAbility

BraunAbility is an American manufacturer of wheelchair accessible vans and wheelchair lifts based in Winamac, Indiana.[1] The company was founded by Ralph Braun, who had spinal muscular atrophy. Braun designed a wheelchair lift and steering controls, which allowed him to drive a 1970 converted full size Dodge van.[2] He began converting vans to sell to others. As sales grew, Braun was able to acquire Independent Mobility Systems. [3] IMS had previously been the largest manufacturer of wheelchair minivans. [4] Braun also acquired the Viewpoint Mobility line of wheelchair minivans. [3] Company sales have grown to $200 million per year.[2]

A 2002 crash test of a Braun Entervan resulted in fuel leaking from the fuel tank. [5] This test failure resulted in manufacturers placing a greater emphasis on safety. Some manufacturers provide information and videos about their vans' crash test results. Some manufacturers have focused on designs with ramps in the rear of the van, since this involves less cutting of the unibody.

BraunAbility makes vans that have side entry ramps, as well as models with rear entry ramps. Vans are available with powered ramps, or with manual ramps for people on a smaller budget. Vans are sold through a network of over 200 dealers in the United States. BraunAbility products are also sold in many countries in South America, Europe, Africa and Asia.

The company has contracted with Nissan to convert Nissan NV200 vans to wheelchair accessible taxis for New York City's "Taxi of Tomorrow" program.[6] The design has however been criticized as unsafe by disability advocacy groups.[7]

References

  1. ↑ The Indiana Economic Development Corp. (2013-08-12). "Wheelchair Vehicle Manufacturer Growing in Indiana - Newsroom - Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick" (Press release). Insideindianabusiness.com. Retrieved 2015-04-27.
  2. 1 2 "How I Did It: Ralph Braun of BraunAbility". Inc.com. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  3. 1 2 MT Staff Writer. "Manufacturing Today - The Braun Corp.". manufacturing-today.com. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  4. ↑ "Independent Mobility Systems - Rampvan - Transfer Seat - Liftvan". imsvans.com. Archived from the original on 2 February 2001. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  5. ↑ 2002 Braun Entervan (Dodge Grand Caravan) Fuel Integrity Rear Impact. YouTube. 2 August 2010. Retrieved 12 April 2015.
  6. ↑ Melanie Csepiga (2015-01-03). "BraunAbility filliing big NYC order". Nwitimes.com. Retrieved 2015-04-25.
  7. ↑ Pete Donohue (2015-04-16). "EXCLUSIVE: Advocates say new taxis come with design flaws". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2015-04-25.

External links

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