At the recent Disabled Drivers Motor Show & Conference 2016 in Dublin, there were a range of companies showing interesting products that would make you believe that driving is open to much more people that you may think.
Driving your own car does have its benefits. The main one being that you have reliable transportation to get to your job, school or to do other various activities. You will also have space to hold your items and will be protected from the weather. For anyone with a disability or drivers who are experiencing changes in their vision, flexibility, strength, or range of motion there are various alterations that you can make that will optimize your driving performance and safety.
Anyone looking to add adaptive vehicle devices to their vehicle will benefit from a driving assessment. Typically an occupational therapist will recommend equipment and a Vehicle Adaptor.
The Disabled Drivers Association of Ireland (DDAI) and the Irish Wheelchair Association both provide useful Information for choosing the right vehicle, the Irish Tax relief scheme, and Adaptations & Equipment that can be obtained.
Choosing the right vehicle is important as small differences in the shape and size of such things as doors or seats can make a big difference to how easy it is to get in and out of a particular car.
The Drivers and Passengers with Disabilities – Tax relief scheme are open to persons who meet the specified medical criteria. Relief in respect of Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and Value Added Tax (VAT) may be obtained.
People may require their vehicles to be modified in order for them to drive or to be carried as a passenger. Adaptations can be made to a vehicle to meet the needs of drivers and passengers with disabilities.
Diver adaptations that are frequently fitted include:
- Hand Controls which allow people to operate the accelerator and brake pedals with their hands
Hand controls for accelerator and brake.
There are a range of hand controls to suit the needs of the driver. Such as standard push pull hand controls radial hand controls and the carospeed hand controls which can incorporate the auxiliary switches and cruise control.
The Brig-Ayd Electric Trigger Throttle and Brake Hand control is a push/pull hand control system. It allows users to control the throttle via a trigger incorporated in the handle of the controls, with just a few grams of force. The brake is operated by pushing the handle down; this gives light and responsive control of the vehicles brakes.
Guidosimplex Mechanical brakes
This Guidosimplex Long Arm Brake Lever allows the driver to apply breaks to the vehicle. Manufactured from aluminium and coated with embossed rubber, the brake lever is also fitted with buttons which activate both the horn and a locking system.
Guidosimplex Gas Ring
The Guidosimplex Over Ring provides a light acceleration control. The accelerator ring can be fitted to most vehicles. A simple push to accelerate, allows both hands to be kept on the steering wheel while driving. Quick Release version also available. Does not compromise steering wheel airbag.
Also an under ring version mounted directly underneath the steering well. This solution allows the end user to accelerate by simply performing a rotary movement (Clockwise and/or Anticlockwise) whilst keeping both hands on the steering wheel.
Guidosimplex Hand Held acceleration system
The Guidosimplex Satellite provides another option for vehicle acceleration. It is suitable to be fitted to most vehicles and is offered in either fully electronic or electro-mechanical versions. Since the unit is hand-held, all functions, such as air bag and secondary controls mounted on the steering wheel, are retained for use. The power to the Satellite accelerator is also cut when the brake is applied.
- Adapted controls that facilitate the use of gear stick, hand brakes and car keys
Push Button Start
Not every Car model comes with Push Button Technology so for drivers who may find it difficult to use an engine key start, this simple push button start facility can be fitted.
For assistance selecting Drive, Park or Reverse with an Automatic Gear Shifter, then a personalized modification to suit a particular needs can be fitted.
GEARSHIFT EASY RELEASE http://www.jeffgosling.co.uk/Documents/GSER_a4web.pdf
EASY RELEASE GEARSTICK http://alfredbekker.com/portfolio-view/easy-release-gearstick/
- Left foot accelerators which facilitate people who cannot use their right leg
- Steering balls which facilitate steering wheel grip
Steering Aid/balls
There is a wide range of steering aids to suit all vehicles and also the needs of the driver. The steering aids range from a standard steering ball through to a steering aid that incorporates an infra-red system which allows the user to operate the auxiliary switches such as lights wipers of the vehicle from the steering aid. The steering aids can be used independently or in conjunction with driver hand controls.
Brig-Ayd Controls Ltd is the manufacturer and suppliers of a range of quick release steering aids for use by disabled drivers. These steering aids can be used in conjunction with hand controls or on their own to aid the steering control of cars, vans, and trucks. The design incorporates a simple to use release mechanism that can be operated with one hand to remove or refit the handle section of the device to the steering wheel. They are designed to fit modern wheels and do not affect the operation of the vehicle’s airbag. These steering knobs come with a range of grips such as a ball, mushroom, tee, and peg.
For drivers with a higher level of physical disability, a variety of high-tech adaptations are now available which include joysticks for braking and accelerating.
Passenger adaptations included:
- Swivel seats
Autoadapt Swivel Base
The Autoadapt swivel base in conjunction with the original vehicle seat. It can also be used with the BEV, Compact and Recaro seat. The swivel comes as either manual or electrical operation.
The Turnout is a swivel seat designed for those who find it difficult to enter a vehicle or make a transfer from the wheelchair. Installed as a layer between the vehicle’s floor and the car seat the Turnout enables the car seat to be rotated facing outwards.
- Passenger lifts and chair hoists
Carolift 40 Boot Hoist
The carolift 40 Boot Hoist is suitable for most standard self-propelling wheelchairs. The flexible elbow joint on the boom allows the user to lift the wheelchair from the pavement and by bending the boom allow the wheelchair to be put into a narrow boot opening. The carolift can then be stored by lying the hoist down or by making it quick release.
- Ramps and lowered floors
The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) maintains a Register of all Licensed Adaptors
Useful links
General Information
The Revenue Commissioners (Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme),
2016 VAT & VRT Update for all Disabled Drivers and Passengers: click here to see the updates to VAT & VRT Scheme »
Car adaptions
Register of all Licensed Adaptors
Hire
Shopmobility, Shopmobility is a scheme which lends manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, and powered scooters to members of the public with limited mobility
Sales
Wheelchair Cars Ireland, Wheelchair accessible vehicle showroom
Hello, I have a 16 year old daughter who is learning to drive and needs some adaptive equipment. She is having a difficult time using the shifter between the seats. It is a Subaru Impreza and the button on the front side of the shifter, would you have any suggestions on what we could do for her?
Thank you
Laurie R
Hi Laurie,
I am not that familiar with the Subaru Impreza, but you could have a look at the GEARSHIFT EASY RELEASE http://www.jeffgosling.co.uk/Documents/GSER_a4web.pdf or the EASY RELEASE GEARSTICK http://alfredbekker.com/portfolio-view/easy-release-gearstick/
Regards,
Sean.
Hello I am trying to convert my van so that I can drive it as a handicapped person but it is a van that has a doghouse in between the two front seats do you have any suggestions as to how I can turn it to where I can fit my wheelchair in the drivers position or the passenger seat because me and my partner both are in a wheelchair
Hi Terri,
There are various hoists available to store a wheelchair within your car, in the car boot/trunk http://caradaptations.co.uk/adaptations/lifting-scooters-and-wheelchairs/boot-hoists and within a roof box on top of your car or van http://www.rica.org.uk/content/stowing-wheelchair-boot-or-roof. You should try and take your van to a company that does mobility car adaptations. In Ireland a few examples are OC Cars & Mobility Ltd, Motability Ireland Ltd and Par Fit Limited. If your not within Ireland try doing a search for mobility car adaptations within your area.
Is the following statement generally correct? When making hand connections at the brake and accelerator they need to be made as to not interfere with normal and safe operation of the vehicle by able-bodied people? (More than once I have encountered installations where the rod coming down to the accelerator is positioned where it interferes with able-bodied drivers movement of their foot from the accelerator to the brake.)
Hi Mark,
That’s a good question. I don’t know if I am really qualified to answer it, but I will give you my personal opinion.
This could depend who is/are the intended driver(s) of the car. If the only driver is a disabled user which the adaptations have been installed for then the priority should be an adaptation that will make driving safe for this driver. Ideally the adaptation will not interfere with normal and safe operation of the vehicle by able-bodied people but some adaption equipment will interfere with able-bodied drivers.
If it’s a shared car where both a disabled and able-bodied person drive the car then the adaptation should consider both drivers. Either way a risk assessment should be carried out to
Identify the hazards.
Assess the risks.
And to Put control measures in place.
Here is a link to an online risk assessment tool that is free to use.
https://besmart.ie/