Driving/Transportaion
Driving is possible for persons living with a disability. Some folks are able to drive a car/van/truck without any modifications to the vehicle. Some people need a van with a ramp/lift to proved transportation to a family member who uses a wheelchair for mobility. Other folks are living with a disability and are able to drive with modifications to the vehicle.
Some modifications are:
Hand controls- instead of driving with feet using the gas/brake this is done by hand with an extra handle usually on the left of the steering column. Some are push/pull and some are twist (like a motorcycle).
Ramp/lift- This is on a van. It can be a larger van and that is usually a lift that comes out and down so the person can leave and get into the van.
A mini van has a ramp. It can be one that comes out from under the can or it can be one that folds up and then the door closes.
Drop van- A van that lowers down so the ramp is less steep to get into/out of the van. I have one of these and folks really get a kick out of seeing the van lower or go back up. Here in New Mexico we have folks that drive "low riders" or "cut downs" so I fit right in!
6 Way seat- A drivers seat that swivels so a person in a wheelchair can transfer into the seat. It goes up on a pulley system, turns around facing towards the windshield. The seat an go up and down as well as forwards and backwards. This is really cool and allows a variety of folks with disabilities to drive.
Hand control brakes.- An extra handle that allows a person with no use of their legs to set the barking brake using their hand. I have this but have never used it.
Automatic windshield wipers- The wipers come on when the windshield gets wet...this is the idea. I had major problems with mine. They would turn on/off when they wanted to- usually when it was bone dry outside. You cannot turn them on/off manually. So it was a mess and caused some weird looks at traffic lights with my wipers on squeaking and no rain outside. I can mine disconnected and I use them manually- this is a bit tricky as I have to take my hand off of the gas/brake.....
Lock downs- This secures the wheelchair in a fixed position. They are usually straps that have a ratchet style hook that is fastened to the wheelchair in the front (2) and then the back of the wheelchair (2). This takes a while to do each and every time the person needs to get in/out of the van. A quick lock can be used and is mounted under the wheelchair seat (only wheelchairs with a full back and head rest) and then on the floor is the quick lock. You pull your wheelchair up to the steering wheel and it locks into place. There is no drivers seat as the wheelchair becomes the drivers seat.
Below is a link to one of the many companies that makes accessible vans. I do not endorse any company. Each person needs to check into the companies and then chose the one that meets their needs.
