Hand Controls Driving

The introduction of new technology continues to broaden opportunities for people with disabilities to drive vehicles with hand controls and adaptive automotive products and devices.

As we're all unique, one specific product rarely suits the needs of everyone. This is true when it comes to mobility vehicles as every person with a mobility issue has individual requirements and will need specific features to make them feel confident and comfortable when they drive.

In recent years, technological advances have introduced automotive adaptive devices which either reduce the physical effort required to control and/or operate a vehicle or alter the way in which driver control initiatives are applied to the vehicle control systems. These adaptive devices provide the possibility of driving a vehicle for many drivers with disabilities.

There are two main types of automotive adaptive controls, those that provide an external source of power to actuate existing vehicle controls and those that modify OEM components to alter the operation of vehicle control systems. Generally, these are referred to as servo-type motion control systems and reduced effort or zero effort control systems, respectively.

Adaptive vehicle control products are commonly prescribed by rehabilitation centers and installed by mobility equipment dealers and installers who specialize in vehicle modifications for persons with disabilities, seniors, and persons who have a need for greater mobility.

Driver rehabilitation specialists perform comprehensive evaluations to identify the adaptive equipment most suited to your needs. They assess the type of seating needed and the person’s ability to exit and enter the vehicle. They provide advice on the purchase of modified vehicles and recommend appropriate wheelchair lifts or other equipment for a vehicle you own. The use of wheelchair car and van hand controls usually requires the driver to take and pass a special training class which educates on the nuances of driving with the controls.

The costs associated with modifying a vehicle vary greatly. A new vehicle modified with adaptive equipment can cost from $20,000 to $80,000. Therefore, whether you are modifying a vehicle you own or purchasing a new vehicle with adaptive equipment, it pays to investigate public and private opportunities for financial assistance. There are however programs that help pay part or all of the cost of vehicle modification, depending on the cause and nature of the disability.

Other adaptive vehicle controls include:

Car adaptations for the disabled include hand controls that are designed to correspond to the natural hand-arm movement of the driver: pull the control back, push down, or use a twist grip to accelerate, push it forward to brake. There are many hand controls available such as an easy use handbrake which is ideal if you find squeezing and pulling the handbrake lever difficult.

Left foot accelerator adaptations for automatic vehicles provide an accelerator pedal to either side of the brake pedal. The left foot accelerator consists of two hinged pedals connected by a cable or mechanical rods. They are set up in such a way as to ensure it is only possible to have one of the pedals down at any time.

Extended indicator arms for ease of use operating a vehicles turn signal.

Steering wheel spinner knobs and devices for one hand control of the steering wheel for vehicles with power steering. Sure Grip hand control users use a push/rock style of driving with products specifically designed to give drivers the benefit of controlling a vehicle with both hands on the wheel for a safer, smoother driving experience.

Swivel Seats - Among other advantages, swivel transfer seats provide drivers with disabilities the ability to easily transfer from their wheelchair in the center section of a van to the driver position. The swivel seat base is usually electronically controlled using actuators and gears that slide the seat backward and forward, and there are swivel up and down controls.

Turny/Turny Orbit - This revolutionary system for higher vehicles provides easy access to an automotive seat. The seat rotates, comes out of the vehicle, and lowers toward the ground, eliminating the climbing and twisting normally required to enter a higher vehicle.

Reduced effort braking systems, gas or brake pedal extensions and many other adaptive vehicle solutions for drivers with restricted capabilities or prosthetics.

Portable hand controls are available for the paraplegic or amputee with a need for a car or van hand control that can be conveniently carried as luggage. Portable hand controls install in an automatic transmission vehicle in minutes. These hand controls are designed for use by individuals with normal upper body strength and coordination. Hand motions are pull to accelerate, push to brake. As with all hand controls, power brakes and steering are a must.

One option available for some drivers is to install electronically assisted hand controls. This technology has revolutionized how people in wheelchairs approach driving. EMC offers two types of controls. Primary Controls manage gas, brakes, and steering while the Secondary Driving Controls manufactured by EMC are designed to operate vehicle functions other than Gas, Brake and Steering.

Transporting a Wheelchair

If you use a wheelchair then it's likely that you'll need to store the chair while you're driving so you can use it at your destination. Modifications which could make the process easier including installing a ramp to the rear of the car to make loading the wheelchair into the rear space much easier.

Other alternatives include rear hoists which can lift wheelchairs into the back of most cars and will give you more independence as you may not need others to help lift the chair with you. If space in the rear of your car is limited you could decide to have a rooftop hoist and storage solution installed. These gadgets mechanically lift a manual wheelchair up from ground level and securely store it in a storage rack unit on top of your car. When you get to your destination your wheelchair can simply be lowered again at the touch of a button.

View videos of Adaptive driving products and demonstrations

Further Information Regarding Hand Controls Driving

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Adapted Vehicles Driving for the Disabled
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