Universal Motion, a Canadian company based out of Toronto, is working to make vehicles more accessible. (Photo courtesy of Universal Motion)
Canadians love getting out onto the road. For most travellers, key considerations that arise when planning a road trip usually boil down to:
- what destination to choose;
- distance of the journey;
- number of passengers;
- the condition of the vehicle;
- gas prices;
- the cost and location of hotels;
- and the best restaurants to visit.
But for tourists who are dealing with physical challenges there are other things to take into account. Are hotels, restaurants, and attractions along the route accessible and available? Are there convenient places to park?
There’s no reason not to get adventurous in a 2023 ARGO ATV, a wonderful vehicle for having fun or getting work done. (Photo courtesy of Universal Motion)
Another consideration — does my vehicle address the needs of the travellers? According to Statistics Canada, findings from the 2022 Canadian Survey on Disability (CSD) showed that 27% of Canadians aged 15 years and older, or 8 million people, had one or more disabilities that limited them in their daily activities. Motorists and passengers with physical challenges may find themselves requiring custom-made vehicles.
Universal Motion President Marco Ferrara, an avid traveller who has been a quadriplegic since 1984, has a mission to make it easier for people to enjoy adventures on the road. He is dedicated to providing viable and thorough solutions to passengers or drivers dealing with mobility problems. We met Ferrara at the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto where he explained that his company is one of a handful that has a Transport Canada-approved National Safety Mark.
Universal Motion offers an extensive variety of conversions and products to make transportation easier for physically challenged individuals, infirm senior citizens, and family members. Providing wheelchair-accessible transportation solutions to the private market and small-vehicle-commercial-transportation market, Universal Motion develops highly customized options for people’s transportation and driving needs. That service extends beyond wheelchair-accessible vans to a wide array of vehicles, including trucks, cars, convertibles, off-road vehicles, and recreational vehicles.
For motorists who require extra care, Universal Motion says it is possible to install foldout beds and a working washroom with a shower. (Photo courtesy of Universal Motion)
“We take pride in the design, manufacture, and supply of mobility products for those of us who are physically challenged, as well as their families,” Ferrara said. In addition to his involvement at Universal Motion, Ferrara sits on the Licensing Commission Advisory Board for the Metro Toronto Accessible taxi program and is past director of the Canadian Paraplegic Association. “We have also customized and made accessible coaches and Winnebagoes, and also just regular vans that are set up with sleeping arrangements and access into the vehicle.”
Ferrara said Universal Motion also has rental vans available for people with mobility issues who would like to go for a road trip.
“We had one gentleman who couldn’t travel and needed someone with him so we built a full-size van with a foldout bed in the back, shower, washroom, and sink for any problem he may have had during his trip. That way he was able to travel across Canada and back because he always had access to maintain his needs,” Ferrara said.
The 2022 Mercedes Benz Metris is a vehicle built for accessible travel. (Rod Charles photo for Vacay.ca)
Among the assisted-mobility vehicles that were on display at the Canadian International AutoShow:
- 2020 Toyota Sienna Hybrid XLE W
- 2023 ARGO ATV
- 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Limited
- 2021 Ram 1500
- 2019 Chrysler Grand Caravan
- 2023 Chevrolet Traverse
- 2018 Dodge Challenger, Polaris Ranger X
- 2023 Mercedes Benz Metris
Ferrara, who has driven across the country, says most often people buy accessible vehicles that are already in stock but sometimes customers do own a vehicle that can be converted. In cases where that isn’t possible they can sometimes work with the car owner to trade in their vehicle for one with accessibility features.
The 2021 Ram 1500 includes a boom that makes it easy to lift a wheelchair next to the driver’s seat. (Photo courtesy of Universal Motion)
Ferrara said everyone should be able to enjoy travel, adding if you desire to get on the road and see the great things the world has to offer there is no reason for anything to slow you down.
“My best trip was a driving holiday across Europe. I shipped my Dodge Challenger — over 600 hp — to Italy, where my cousin, an officer in the Italian army, helped get it through customs,” Ferrara said. “We picked it up and drove to meet my brother Justin, who was on sabbatical in the hills of Alessandria. I also reconnected with my Italian family in Genova and Turin, cruising the Autostrade at all speeds, and visited the vineyards in the Monferrato region. After a week, we drove to Holland to see my maternal Dutch family, exploring windmills, the Delft China market, and the Rembrandt museum. We even strolled through the famous red-light district in Amsterdam. The final leg of the journey took us to Hjo, Sweden, where I delivered the car to its new owner, a friend of mine. From there, I flew home, leaving behind the vehicle and taking with me the memory of an unforgettable adventure.”
MORE ABOUT UNIVERSAL MOTION
Address: 31 City View Dr. Etobicoke, Ontario (see map below)
Phone: 1-647-954-5234
Email: info@universalmotion.com
MORE ABOUT CANADIAN INTERNATIONAL AUTOSHOW
Dates: February 14-23, 2025
Notable: The Canadian International AutoShow features more than 650,000 square feet of exhibits, displays, and attractions spanning the North and South Buildings of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre on Front Street and Bremner Boulevard.
Website: www.autoshow.ca
