Alabama Handicap: BraunAbility Story - How a Global Leader Began in Indiana
From Humble Beginnings in Indiana to a Global Leader in Mobility Solutions
The Making of BraunAbility Review by Preview Auto
In a small garage in Winamac, Indiana, a young man with a vision forever changed mobility access for people with disabilities. That man was Ralph Braun, the founder of BraunAbility—a company now recognized as a global leader in wheelchair accessible vehicles and mobility equipment.
🚗 Humble Beginnings
Diagnosed with muscular dystrophy as a child, Ralph Braun faced limited mobility options. Refusing to let that define his future, he built his first motorized scooter at just 15 years old. Later, when his job required transportation, he retrofitted an old mail van with hand controls and a hydraulic lift—becoming one of the first to design a wheelchair-accessible vehicle.
🌍 Global Growth Rooted in Purpose
What started as a one-man solution grew into a full-fledged business by the 1970s. BraunAbility expanded its product line to include wheelchair lifts, accessible minivans, and full-size vehicles, eventually becoming the gold standard in the mobility industry.
Today, BraunAbility serves customers in over 70 countries and partners with major automotive manufacturers like Chrysler, Toyota, and Ford.
🛠 Innovation That Matters
BraunAbility continues to innovate with cutting-edge designs and advanced safety features. From side-entry and rear-entry conversions to specialty seating and hand controls, they offer complete mobility solutions tailored to individual needs.
💡 More Than a Brand—A Legacy
BraunAbility’s impact isn’t just mechanical—it’s deeply personal. Every vehicle represents freedom, independence, and dignity for people living with mobility challenges.
Even decades after its founding, the company remains deeply committed to accessibility, community advocacy, and innovation—all rooted in the spirit of one Indiana man who believed that movement is a right, not a privilege.
