Vehicle Modifications Provide Independence

People love the flexibility of personal motor vehicles to travel where and when they want without having to schedule in advance or wait at bus stops. Persons with disabilities need the flexibility of motor vehicle transportation as much as anyone else; however, they may require vehicle modifications to accommodate their needs. Today, there are a number of adaptive equipment selections designed for vehicle access, steering, secondary controls, brake/accelerator systems, safety, and driver position needs.

For wheelchair and scooter users, lifts can be installed that raise the driver and wheelchair or scooter together, or just the mobility aid alone so that it can be stored during trips. Adjustable power seats that swivel allow occupants comfortable entry and exit and facilitate wheelchair transfers. Strategically located handles and grab bars provide additional positioning assistance. Automatic door openers, power locks and power window controls can compensate for fine-motor difficulties.

For individuals in wheelchairs who prefer to remain in their wheelchairs while driving or riding, tie-down devices are required to keep the chair securely in place while the vehicle is in motion. Some tie-downs are manually operated, using belts to hook the wheelchair frame to a floor-mounted track. There are also power lockdown devices that allow the individual in a wheelchair to drive directly over an automatic latching mechanism which grabs the lower part of the chair frame and secures it in place.

For those with limited upper body or head movement, wide-angle and spotting mirrors can be used to increase range of vision. They can be located both inside and outside the vehicle. As well, customized seat cushioning, while used primarily for support and stability, can also raise the occupant up to provide an improved field of view.

Adaptive devices are also available to assist drivers with hearing loss. For example, enhanced turn signal reminders blink and sound an increasingly louder tone until the signal is turned off. A siren detector will flash red lights whenever its microphone detects an approaching emergency vehicle siren and automatically stops when the siren is out of the microphone's range. The decision to install special equipment and the task of identifying the adaptive equipment needs may be made by a trained evaluator, a vehicle dealer, or the consumer.

Reprinted with permission from the August 2003 Assistive Technology Key (Vol. 8, No. 4.), published by the North Dakota Interagency Program for Assistive Technology.