Adaptations Guide
Introduction
Where previously a physically disability prevented one from driving, today’s assistive technology for drivers provides opportunities for most people with disabilities to drive.
For those who have a passion for motorcycles, a drive-from-the-wheelchair high performance motorcycle is now in mass production.
Certain vehicles can now be driven from the wheelchair, with high accessible remote control opening/closing doors.
The following is a short list of adaptations and equipment available to accommodate various disabilities and mobility difficulties. As there is such an extensive and ever increasing range of driver /passenger , adaptations /aids, contact an adaptation company or assessment company for further information and/or specific requirements. To view pictures or videos of adaptations go to the links page for a list of websites.
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Entering And Exiting A Vehicle
When choosing a vehicle check for low sills should this ease transferring. Three door cars have larger doors thereby allowing more space. Others prefer vehicles that are higher from the ground to assist entering and exiting. ( good advice is to research make and models before purchase).
Straps: to close the driver’s door or boot. Fitted between the driver’s door and dashboard to enable the driver to grab the strap and close the door once in the driver’s seat (works very well in 3-door cars with large doors). The strap is mounted between the floor and lid of the boot and is used to close the boot while sitting in a wheelchair.
Extra Handles: to make it easier to get in and out of the car. The handles can be positioned at various points in the vehicle as required.
Door Handle Extensions: for opening can be tailor made.
Pneumatic Boot Door Openers: are ideal for anyone who experiences difficulty opening or closing the boot or rear hatch. The opening/closing function is operated by a button or remote control. A pneumatic door opener has the benefit of allowing the boot door to be opened or closed manually, without increased resistance, by those with poor gripping ability or reduced mobility.
Electrically Operated Raising Seat: to assist lowering and raising of the body when entering and exiting.
Wheelchair Lifts: are used for high vehicles, such as minivans and MPVs, in order to lift people sitting in manual or power wheelchairs into the vehicle and transfer them to the driver’s seat or passenger seat efficiently.
Swivel Seats, Swivel Cushions: to ease turning the body.
Sliding Plates: fixed mounted sliding boards are used to reduce the risk of falling between the seat and wheelchair during transfers into and out of the car. Mounted on the threshold and easy to remove once in the car seat.
Seat Rail Extensions: which positions the seat further back than original position providing more leg space for those with difficulty with bending of the lower limb(s).
Seatbelt Grips: makes it easier to get hold of the belt. Once installed, the user no longer has to turn his or her body so much to get hold of the belt.
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Primary Controls
The Primary Controls include the accelerator, brake, clutch, gears , handbrake and steering.
Steering Wheel Spinners: to provide maximum control of steering, of various sizes and designs, to suit a persons grip, strength and mobility. Also including quick release for additional drivers who do not use them.
Tailored Made Power Steering: extra lightened power steering for anyone who experiences difficulty turning the wheel, and can be accompanied with a Mini Steering Wheel for anyone with reduced mobility. Please note that light power steering is not available for all models.
Foot Steering: a floor mounted disc for steering. For anyone without the use of both arms.
Hand Controls: can be mechanical, electrical; push/pull (forward/back); radial (up/down); floor mounted push/pull, and joystick operated, all suitably positioned to operate accelerator and brake.
Joystick: two way joystick for acceleration/brake and/or two way joystick for steering left/right.
Four Way Joystick: for acceleration, braking and steering.
Handbrake/Park Brake: electric handbrakes; handbrake extension and handbrake relocation. Also available are handbrake button release levers.
Gear Selectors: press button electric gearshift. Or gear lever extension.
Foot Pedal Extensions: for anyone with short limbs experiencing difficulty reaching the foot pedals.
Left Foot Accelerators: for anyone with reduced mobility and/or strength in their right lower limb.
Pedal(s) Guard: whereby a lower limb prosthesis, limb paralysis or involuntary movement may cause danger with the foot pedals a pedal guard should be fitted. These can be quick release to facilitate additional drivers of the vehicle.
Secondary Controls
The Secondary Controls include indicators, wipers, lights, horn, temperature controls, fan, heated rear window, etc.
Infrared/Bluetooth: secondary controls can be operated from the steering wheel spinner, or positioned in a more suitable position for the user.
Floor Switches: operating secondary controls by the lower limb(s).
Headrest Switches: operated by light touching with the back of the head.
Toggle Switches: attached to the hand controls for secondary control functions.
Switch Extensions: original secondary controls such as wipers, lights, indicators etc. can be extended out, or cross extended to be operated from the opposite side of the original fitting.
Some original secondary controls can also be relocated depending on make and model.
Air Switches: light to touch air switches for secondary controls can be located on arm rests, or positioned to suit a driver’s requirements.
Mirrors
Additional mirrors can be placed in or on the vehicle to suit a person who has restricted neck or trunk mobility. A panoramic mirror(s), sometimes including exterior mounted blind spot mirrors, to enable safe observation at various types of junctions, lane changing and when reversing. Wide angle view cameras can also be fitted for reversing.
Caution should be exercised with the purchase and fitting of mirrors that reduce blind spot(s) and not eliminate blind spot(s).
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Wheelchair Loading
For stowage of wheelchair a three door car provides more space for drivers transferring and lifting the wheelchair into the car.
Wheelchair Roofbox: this is an electrical lift that lifts, folds and locks away a manual wheelchair on the roof of the vehicle. All is achieved from the drivers seat. The wheelchair is enclosed protecting it from the weather elements.
Electric Lifts: for loading of wheelchair or scooters into boots of vehicles.
For rear-side sliding doors an electrical easy loader is available to lift, return and store a manual wheelchair behind the drivers seat. The sliding door can also be electrically opened/closed.
Passenger Adaptations
Passenger adaptations vary considerably depending on the vehicle, the carers needs, the passengers mobility and strengths, finance, etc. Choose your adaptation company, and before making a decision on any particular type of adaptation arrange a demonstration and practice with the use of the adaptation yourself to avoid any unforeseen difficulties. Some adaptations may seem simple on a picture or whereby someone demonstrates them, but the advice is to experience the use of the adaptation before purchase.
Drivers Guide To Adapting A Vehicle
The following is a short simplified guide to adapting your vehicle. To assess and decide your most suitable options contact your local adaptation company or assessment company for further advice. Go to our links page, and view adaptation companies websites for a more comprehensive list of adaptations available. Alternatively adaptations may sometimes be tailor made to suit specific requirements.
Right Lower Limb Disability
Automatic transmission with a left foot accelerator and both hands on the steering wheel as regular.
Left Lower Limb Disability
Automatic transmission, or manual transmission vehicle with modified electric or servo clutch.
Right Upper and Right Lower Limb paralysis/weakness ( Right side hemiparesis)
Automatic transmission, left hand steering wheel spinner for steering, secondary controls can be infrared attached to the steering wheel spinner or headrest secondary control switch.
Left Upper and Left Lower Limb paralysis/weakness (Left side hemiparesis)
Automatic transmission, right side steering wheel spinner for steering, secondary controls can be infrared attached to the steering wheel spinner or headrest secondary control switch.
Left and Right Lower Limbs Disability
Automatic transmission, hand controls to operate accelerator and brake, steering wheel spinner to operate steering, secondary controls will be decided depending on type of vehicle and personal choice. e.g. Secondary controls can be operated from the steering wheel spinner or toggle switches on the hand control, or press switch on the headrest.
Upper Left Limb
Automatic transmission, right side steering wheel spinner with secondary controls attached, or floor mounted switches, or head rest secondary control switches.
Upper Right Limb
The same as above (left Limb) with the steering wheel spinner on the left side of the steering wheel.
Right or Left Hand Amputee
Secondary controls switches can be floor, door or headrest mounted. Steering Cup Spinner and handbrake adaptations can be tailor made to suit strength and mobility.
Both Upper Limbs Disability
Automatic transmission, accelerate and brake as regular. Steering can be operated from a disc mounted to the floor, and secondary controls can be headrest mounted, or above the accelerator operated by the toes. Options vary.
Reduced Strength and Mobility Upper Limbs
Automatic transmission, and the power assisted steering can be lightened further to the drivers required strength, depending on the make and model of the vehicle. A smaller steering wheel may be required whereby a person may have reduced mobility still experiencing difficulty after having the steering lightened.
Short Lower Limbs
Automatic transmission, accelerator and brake pedal extensions. Electric high rising seat if required.
Restricted Neck/Trunk Movement.
Panoramic mirrors interior and /or exterior fitted. Rear view camera(s) fitted to assist observation when reversing.
Drive From The Wheelchair Vehicles
Drive From The Wheelchair hi-tech adapted vehicles are also available for those who have difficulty or choose not to transfer. However there is a limited list of vehicles that are suitable for this hi -tech adaptation and prices can vary depending on a drivers needs, strengths and mobility. Contact an assessment company or adaptation company for further information. To view a comprehensive list of options visit www.paravan.de, or see our Links page.
For those who wish to feel the wind in their hair the Conquest is the world's first series-manufactured high performance motorcycle that can be driven from a wheelchair. The vehicle provides a level of performance and independence previously unattainable.
It is designed for people with disabilities from the waist down. Drivers can roll their wheelchairs onto the vehicle via an automated access ramp. All of the controls are hand operated
For more information visit www.martinconquest.com.
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