A fifth WAV, built around Alison: Volkswagen Caravelle conversion

Alison Lapper MBE is an artist, television presenter, speaker and patron of the Gig-Arts charity. She recently took delivery of her fifth wheelchair accessible vehicle from our Hemel Hempstead workshop.

About Alison

Born with no arms and shortened legs, Alison was institutionalised at six weeks old and spent the next 17 years at Chailey Heritage in Sussex. At 19 she obtained a driving licence and her own flat, and began living her daily life independently. She now speaks to audiences ranging from the Royal College of Midwives to local voluntary groups. Get in touch if you would like to arrange a talk with Alison.

Alison's new Volkswagen Caravelle needed to give her the same ongoing independence her previous vehicles had — with everything reachable, repeatable and calibrated to her.

What we did

The Volkswagen was first converted by our WAV partners, who lowered the floor to make the vehicle wheelchair accessible. Our team then carried out the Stage 2 driving adaptations in our Hemel Hempstead workshop, setting up and calibrating each system around Alison's reach and strength.

Adaptations fitted

Joysteer drive-by-wire steering system

Bever electronic brake and accelerator

Custom shoulder steer, shaped to Alison

Electronic handbrake and Paravan gear shift

Push-button ignition start/stop

Specialist seat belt system

"After five vehicles, they know exactly how I drive — everything is where I need it."

Every system was road-tested and signed off with Alison at the controls before the Caravelle left Eastman Way.