Turning the everyday cars used by the able-bodied into is nowadays a well tried and tested process, carried out by numerous expert companies across the country. It is certainly a process not to be undertaken by the amateur, not least because of the safety implications involved. For when converting a base car into a disabled vehicle, safety and comfort is paramount.

Firstly, the term 'base' is often encountered when talking about disabled vehicles, or as they are more commonly called, wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs). The base vehicle is simply the starting point, the commercially available version of the car or van that can be bought from any local garage or car dealer's showroom.

When a base vehicle shows potential for conversion into a WAV, a rigorous process of evaluation takes place. Every aspect of the vehicle is examined, from road holding and engine performance to the amount of available space inside for both wheelchair user and passenger alike.

Whatever the car or van chosen for conversion, WAVs tend to have very similar features, not least a means of easily entering and exiting the vehicle by the wheelchair user. This is usually accomplished by the fitting of a ramp at the back which can be deployed quickly and without fuss. The ramp's angle with the ground should be as shallow as possible, an important consideration not only for the disabled person, but also for any carer who might have to push the wheelchair user aboard.

A shallow angle is most often achieved by lowering the actual floor of the WAV itself. The floor may have to be strengthened, or even removed altogether and replaced by a purpose-built composite or steel tub. However, it should be noted that that is not always the case. Depending on the design of the vehicle, it may be more practicable to increase the height of the roof instead to allow the disabled person sitting in a wheelchair enough headroom to travel in comfort.

As well as a ramp, disabled cars can also be fitted with a lift or turning seat to help the wheelchair user get in and out. The vehicles suspension might have to be strengthened, along with the floor, in order to carry the extra weight of the wheelchair, and the petrol tank may have to be changed or modified to increase the amount of room available inside. The WAV will also be fitted with a wheelchair restraint system, to lock the wheelchair securely in place.

It all depends very much on the individual circumstances of the disabled person and their family. Seating arrangements and the number of passengers to be carried at any one time could well be a crucial factor in the choice of vehicle. There are a range of models available which offer the ability to increase or decrease the number of seats in the back depending on the type of journey being undertaken and the amount of equipment and luggage to be carried.

If the wheelchair user is also the driver, a number of adaptations can be incorporated to help make the experience an easy and enjoyable one.