What Driver Adaptations can be installed in Wheelchair Accessible Cars?

Modern wheelchair accessible cars or cars for disabled not only include ramps or lifts to aid entry into the car, chair restraints, lower floors for increased space and configurable seats, but also features to make driving the car possible for mobility challenged people. Many driver adaptations can be installed on a wheelchair accessible car to make driving as safe and enjoyable as possible, including:

• Customised Steering Wheels: The wheelchair restricted passenger may require a variety of customised features on the steering wheels on their cars. These include extra grip, steering wheel knobs, customised indicator, lights and horn controls. All driving controls on a car for disabled must be within easy reach of the driver. Often, lighter steering is also required to make driving as comfortable as possible.
• Hand Controls: Often the wheelchair restricted driver is not able to operate the accelerator or brake with their feet in the regular manner. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are therefore generally fitted with controls which allow the car to be driven solely with the hands.
• Adapted Controls: Driving usually requires the driver to use every one of their limbs to operate the car. Wheelchair restricted drivers, however, are not able to drive in this all encompassing way. Disabled cars feature many adaptations which allow those with physical disabilities to drive without putting undue strain on their bodies. These adaptations can include an alternate placement of gear sticks, hand brakes and ignition locks.
• Minor adaptations: For drivers with only minimal physical disabilities there are many small adaptations that can be made on cars for disabled to facilitate driving. These include the shifting of accelerators or brakes when use of one leg is restricted. Implementing minor adaptations in disabled cars ensures that a higher level of mobility is encouraged in those drivers that are able, producing a more natural driving experience.
• Safety Belts: Wheelchair accessible cars require a greater level of safety features than most vehicles. Wheelchairs need to be securely locked to the floor of the car, and both the driver and mobility challenged passengers need effective seat belts. In some cases, specialised safety belts and harnesses are necessary for extra safety. The driver’s seat in a wheelchair accessible vehicle, whether it is a wheelchair locked into place or an ergonomically designed permanent seat, needs to include all the restraints necessary for comfort and safety.

This is only a small selection of the many driver adaptations available for wheelchair accessible cars. When considering driver adaptations for your own vehicle, make sure that each feature adheres to your personal needs.