Welcome to WAVCA
The Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle Converters Association
WAVCA is the United Kingdoms trade association for manufacturers of Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs).
The UK market for WAVs is possibly the most advanced and vibrant market of its kind in Europe, supplying thousands of vehicles annually, and enabling wheelchair users and their families across the UK to enjoy the benefits of personal mobility and independent travel.
WAV Conversion manufacturing companies have been actively promoting improved mobility for wheelchair users for over 40 years. WAVCA members have invested heavily in the design, development and testing of vehicle adaptations to ensure the highest levels of functionality, usability and safety.
WAVCA is the representative body striving to help converters push standards forward and deliver uniform standards in the interest of wheelchair passengers and drivers. WAVCA actively engages stakeholders on all levels including government to ensure that the needs of disabled people are not overlooked when setting out transport policies.
Our Aims
WAVCA aims to encourage and promote the WAV industry in the UK and abroad and continue to improve the technical standards in our industry.
We achieve this by working closely with our customers, colleagues in the automotive industry, the Department for Transport and other government agencies.
These include major influencers like, The Vehicle Certification Agency, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, British Healthcare Trades Association, Motor Manufacturers, Wheelchair Manufacturers, key user groups, Motability Operations and The Motability Foundation.
Customer care and the quality & safety of wheelchair passenger carrying vehicles are of prime importance to us and we aim to promote best practice and
customer service standards in the marketplace by leading the development of PAS 2012.
Organisation
WAVCA is a Company Limited by Guarantee and is run by a Board of Directors voted for annually by the membership at the Annual General Meeting.
Board of Directors
Chair – Peter Facenna
Treasurer – Conor McElmeel
Board Members
Laurence Drake
John Daniel
Conor McElmeel
Ian Newton
​Phil Hind
David Vooght
Secretary General – Rob Hookway
First Engineer – Ian Hopley
Working Groups
WAVCA has an active Technical Working Group made up of volunteer engineers from Members Companies and Trade Partner Members.
Other Working Groups are created for various projects as required. Non-Members may be co-opted to assist in these projects.