Modifying your car to make it disabled-friendly
If you’re a disabled person, having access to a vehicle that’s modified according to your requirements can be enormously helpful. It’ll allow you to complete simple journeys yourself, without having to rely on the goodwill of others.
Of course, different sorts of disabilities confer different kinds of demands on the motorist. In some cases, you might elect to invest in a whole range of modifications, just to get the driving experience tailored exactly to your circumstances. Let’s take a look at some of the changes you might consider.
Modified Hand Controls
If using your feet isn’t an option, then you can equally well use your hands, instead. After all, if formula one drivers can change gears with paddles, then so too can you. In many cases, there’s a single lever for both braking and acceleration. Push it forward to accelerate, pull it back to brake.
Zero Effort Electronic Controls
If you find that the push-pull handles are a little bit too demanding, then you might substitute an electronic alternative. Drivers of every sort have been taking advantage of power steering technology for decades, and the same basic principles are at work with electronic controls. You might go for a trigger-finger acceleration and braking system, or one that’s fitted onto, or behind, the steering wheel.
Left foot accelerators
If you’re able to use your left foot, but not your right, then you might easily drive a standard automatic that’s been modified so that you can do everything with your left foot. You can either cover the original accelerator, or have it fold away so that another driver can use the car.
Steering Wheel Ball
A steering wheel ball is an inexpensive handle which is clamped to the wheel. With its help, you’ll be able to control the car with one hand while you change gears with another. It’s perfect for those who have limited movement in their arms. You can keep turning the wheel indefinitely without having to push down to maintain your grip! Make sure you pick one that’s sufficiently bulbous, so you can grip it easily.
Adding a Ramp or Loading System
For wheelchair users, actually getting into the vehicle can often pose the biggest challenge. For these individuals, boarding systems and ramps can be a godsend. You can simply wheel yourself up and into the driving position, and then use a remote control to close the boot behind you. Disabled vehicles of this kind tend to be modified vans or people carriers, as they provide enough clearance that you won’t bump your head on the way in.