A new exhibit showcasing transportation options for people who are physically challenged debuts at the Detroit auto show this year. This new feature will be located in Cobo Center’s Michigan Hall and will allow visitors to experience vehicles and accessories that have been adapted to meet a variety of needs.

"Living with a disability doesn't have to mean the end of personal mobility," says Bill Perkins, chairman of the 2012 North American International Auto Show. "Today, there are so many more options for those who are physically challenged than there were just a few years ago."

A Toyota Sienna equipped with the auto-access seat will be on display, as will as a number of examples of cars that have been retro-fitted with equipment (ramps, lifts, alternative steering, braking and acceleration options for drivers with disabilities) to make them more accessible for people with various physical challenges.

"So much has changed to improve mobility for disabled individuals in recent years," said Joe Rohatynski, a spokesman for the Detroit auto show. "The auto show committee saw the need to get people with physical disabilities in touch with products that could make their lives easier and developed the mobility-center exhibit."

In addition to the Toyota Sienna, the following companies will also be sharing their mobility products and services in the mobility center: AutoAbility Michigan, Chrysler Mobility, Creative Mobility Group, Detroit Scooter Salon, GoShichi and Vehicle Production Group.

Located in Cobo Center’s Michigan Hall is the NAIAS Mobility Center, where we saw the first vehicle from the Vehicle Production Group. The MV-1, an acronym for Mobility Vehicle 1, is a purpose-built van designated to accommodate wheelchairs. A ramp on the side of the vehicle can deploy at a short or long distance and can carry up to 1,200 pounds. When not in use, the ramp folds into the base of the vehicle.

A demonstration from VPG showed how a wheelchair can be maneuvered up into the vehicle and then the front passenger seat location; it is secured to the floor by anchors. Inside, the MV-1 can comfortably seat five, and it's powered by a Ford-supplied van powertrain that can be ordered with either a gasoline or compressed-natural-gas fuel system. If wheelchair accessibility doesn’t apply to you, VPG says buyers are finding other ways to use the MV-1 like transporting large medical or office equipment.

Vehicle Production Group's new MV-1 is a van with an automatic side-entry ramp as well as anchors and space to house a wheelchair in the front-passenger space.

You can find more coverage of the Detroit auto show at autoweek.com.