New rules spark row
Paul Carter , July 2007
Courtesy of Disability Now.
New European Union (EU) rules concerning wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) could lead to increased costs and reduce choice for disabled people, it has been claimed.
Frances Leckie, editor of the website independentliving.co.uk, says some in the industry are concerned the new Wheelchair Vehicle Type Approval (WVTA) regulations may cause difficulties as, in order to achieve WVTA, a wheelchair in which a passenger travels is classified as a seat.
This could mean wheelchairs have to undergo rigorous crash testing before being approved for use in a vehicle.
She said: “If the legislation proceeds as currently framed, it does appear that the advantages of improved trading consistency and enhanced safety may be offset by higher prices and more limited choice for disabled drivers and passengers.”
But Linda Ling, chair of the Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Converters Association (WAVCA) said all WAVCA members were “committed to safety testing the wheelchair securing system, seatbelts and new seats to stringent standards”.
She said: “If we had not taken action, within a couple of years the only wheelchair passenger vehicles on the road would be expensive one-offs with no testing and no support from the main manufacturer.”
Malcolm Harbour MEP, the EU rapporteur for the legislation, said the rules allowed for flexibility.
He said: “The whole package of regulation on the table can and will be amended if it needs to evolve.”
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And here is the article.
http://www.independentliving.co.uk/wav/update.html
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