​​The next-generation BraunAbility Wheelchair-Accessible Traverse Honors American Hero​

Retired United States Army Sergeant Nick Koulchar was deployed to Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom. While serving as a combat engineer and gunner with the U.S. Army Alpha Company, 40th Engineers, Task Force 1/6, his vehicle was attacked by an improvised explosive device. This attack resulted in Sgt. Koulchar having to undergo a double leg amputation above the knee. While the injury certainly changed this father of three’s life, it didn’t make him sedentary. Koulchar is active in hunting and weightlifting, is a 40-time marathoner, and is an accomplished handcyclist with the Achilles Freedom Team, composed of fellow disabled veterans.  

Sharp Automotive is proud to announce that Chevrolet gifted Sgt. Koulchar with a new wheelchair-accessible BraunAbility Chevrolet Traverse at the Country Music Association Awards in Nashville, TN, which aired live on November 19th. The event was attended by 100 soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, who watched as Country Music superstar Ella Langley welcomed Koulchar to the show and presented him with the surprise BraunAbility Traverse. 

Based in Winamac, Indiana, BraunAbility was recently honored by Forbes on its first-ever Accessibility 100 list for its accessibility conversions. The company had previously customized the Traverse for wheelchair accessibility, and the model was named Accessible Product of the Year for 2023 by Disability:IN, a leading nonprofit that advances disability inclusion in the business world. The 2024 redesign, however, enabled BraunAbility to leverage the model’s larger size. The BraunAbility Traverse given to Sgt. Ksulchar is a modification of the Chevrolet Traverse LT and will be available to customers in 2026 through BraunAbility’s nationwide mobility dealer network. The Traverse makes an ideal vehicle for the conversion due to its large 3-row size, best-in-class max cargo capacity, very large 17.7-inch center touchscreen, 11-inch digital driver’s display, and over 20 standard safety and driver assistance technologies. 

BraunAbility features include: 

• Fully lowered floor design with an integrated in-floor ramp, and a vehicle kneeling function for seamless entry and exit for wheelchair users 

• All-new BraunAbility glide door system with extra-wide, extra-tall opening (31 inches by 54.5 inches) for effortless access, with space for larger wheelchairs 

• First SUV with Wayfinder™ illuminated side entry ramp for enhanced visibility. 

• Designed for maximum wheelchair maneuverability, with generous interior space and removable front seats for flexible seating options 

“The BraunAbility Traverse showcases our advanced engineering and strong collaboration with GM, delivering accessibility without sacrificing Chevrolet’s signature design,” said Craig Schrimsher, President, BraunAbility. “With this product, we’re giving our customers more choices than ever – an SUV that uniquely fits their lifestyle and individuality.” 

The BraunAbility conversion is not limited to the LT; it can also be applied to the Sport Edition or the all-black Midnight Edition, both of which feature black wheels and black exterior trim. The models are assembled at GM’s Lansing, Michigan, assembly plant before being shipped to Winamac, Indiana, for the BraunAbility conversion.  

If you have someone in your family who is active despite being a wheelchair user, they may be interested in the BraunAbility Traverse. Of course, the regular factory-built Traverse is an excellent vehicle for families of all stripes and abilities, as you can see with a test drive at Sharp Automotive in Watertown, South Dakota.