Adapting your vehicle :Cross Stitch – Disabled people
You can get your vehicle adapted so that driving is safe and comfortable and getting in and out of the car is easier. There are motoring accessories available for people with upper or lower body disabilities or both.
These accessories include:
- hand controls to operate the accelerator and brake
- steering wheel knobs that help you turn the wheel more easily and give greater control
- accessories to help you get in and out of your vehicle like wheelchair hoists, ramps and tail lifts
- cushions, covers and support
- adapted mirrors
- safety belts, seat belts and harnesses
- rotating seats
- people lifts
- wheelchair hoists
Ricability is a charity and has published a number of reports that look at the various types of adaptations available to help you drive. These include car controls, people lifters and how to get a wheelchair into a car.
The guides also contain details of suppliers who carry out adaptations.
If you have lost the use of one arm or have a weakened arm, you may consider adaptations including:
- a steering wheel knob fitted to the rim of the steering wheel
- automatic transmission
- direction indicators and the horn within finger reach or as foot controls, which you can operate without letting go of the wheel
- moving the handbrake to the right of the driver’s seat
- joystick steering
If you have an artificial limb fitted below the elbow you can drive a car using a special concave limb attachment. This is fitted over the steering wheel or the gear lever.
Even if you have lost the use of both arms, you can still drive with redesigned car controls. You could also try a foot steering system.
If you have lost the use of one of your legs or have reduced usage in one leg, the adaptations you may consider include:
- an automatic transmission car, which does not require the use of a clutch
- moving the accelerator on an automatic car to the left side of the foot brake if you have a right leg disability
- a semi-automatic clutch, which allows you to use a manual gearbox without clutch pedals
If you have lost the use of both legs, you may consider adaptations like:
- hand controls, especially with an automatic transmission
- steering assistance
If you get your car adapted or hire or buy an adapted car, it’s important to get good advice and training on using the vehicle.
There are accessories and adaptations that can make it easier to get in and out of your vehicle. This may be particularly important if you use a wheelchair.
You may be able to get into your car from the driver’s side, passenger side or rear. Your choice of entry will determine the type of adaptations you need for your vehicle.
For entry from the driver’s or passenger’s door, you need wide doors and preferably a sliding and swivelling aid.
Vehicle conversion specialists produce wheelchair accessible vehicles.
It can be difficult to transfer from a wheelchair into a car. You can use a board, lifting belts or leg lifters. There are also hoists and lifts to help you and your chair into the car. There are also specially converted cars or vans that you can drive your wheelchair into.
A dropped kerb may make it easier to get from your car to your house, if you have to park on the road. The following service lets you enter details of where you live and takes you to your local council website. Then you can find out how to apply to have a dropped kerb put in outside your home.
Please note that this service is only available for councils in England.