How to Choose the Correct Wheelchair Van Hand Controls

If you are looking for a wheelchair van to drive yourself, it is essential that you find a van that is tailored to your needs and requirements. Accessible vehicles can be fitted out with a wide variety of different hand controls and adaptations to make achieving independence easier for people of all physical abilities. When choosing hand controls for your wheelchair van it is important to be fully informed of the possibilities and choices available to you, so as to ensure that your driving experience is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

Hand controls can be installed in wheelchair vans to replace the accelerator and brakes, thus allowing drivers with limited use of their legs and feet to take complete control of the vehicle. These controls which are operated by hand also free up space in the wheelchair van, making it much easier for mobility challenged drivers to enter and sit comfortably in the driver's seat. Hand accelerators and brakes are available in a wide price range, but it is important to ensure that your hand controls are of the highest quality and are installed in your accessible vehicle securely and safely.

Hand controls are available for wheelchair vehicles to suit all types of ability and disability. Whether you simply cannot use one hand, or have a wider paralysis, an experienced accessible vehicles manufacturer should be able to find a solution that is intuitive and comfortable. Remember to explore all of your options before making a decision and to consult with a wheelchair van expert to get the best results.

All of your hand controls should be installed in your accessible vehicle at a safe and comfortable distance from the driver's seat. Secondary controls should also be installed in the wheelchair van so that they do not interfere with the ease of use and performance of other features of the vehicle. All hand controls designed for use by the mobility challenged should be appropriately sensitive and not require great strength or pressure.

If you need a number of different hand controls in your wheelchair van, considerable attention should be paid to the design and interaction of the different controls. Different controls should be placed in close proximity to each other, to ensure that driving response times are not impaired by the adaptation. You might consider, for example, using a single handle to control the brakes and accelerator, with switches attached to control indicator lights.