PERSONAL TRANSPORTATIO

NLec#14

INTRODUCTION Disable person needs equipment with

the degree of impairment and desired degree of independence in area of personal care, mobility, leisure, personal transportation and employment

Adaptive driving equipment is expensive and require maintenance

driving potential with the use of assistive driving equipment

Driving evaluation process start with assessment

VEHICLES FOR PEOPLEWITH DISABILITIES many ways to make transportation

easier for people with disabilities standard production vehicles can be

specially modified to enable the disabled person to drive the vehicle safely

sometimes new vehicles can be bought that do not require any modifications

Sometimes a vehicle needs to be modified to enable a disabled person to be a passenger

WHAT ARE REQUIREMENTS? determined with assistance from a trained

occupational therapist in conjunction with others who have comprehensive experience

few therapists who conduct driver assessment and training

occupational therapist can advise on the type of vehicle modifications necessary to compensate for any particular disability

choice of vehicle or the modification requirements should be made only after consultation with others

DECIDING IF MODIFICATIONS ARENECESSARY decision must then be made about whether to

modify, buy or manufacture the vehicle consider whether to buy a custom made

vehicle, to import a special custom made vehicle, to modify a standard vehicle, or just to make minor modifications to a standard vehicle

Minor modification would usually involve fitting equipment and accessories that have already been proven safe and functional

Before modifying your existing vehicle, consider choosing a new vehicle or another more suitable second-hand vehicle that is fitted with features which will reduce the modification you will require

Typically one may wish to source a vehicle with:

Auto transmission, with a lever

Good access features Power steering Electric seat Easy park brake operation ergonomic design Easy to operate control

buttons

MODIFYING A VEHICLE wise to get advice from prospective

modifiers Having decided what apparatus or

modification best suits your purpose need to discuss what you see as a solution

with associates, doctors, or organizations Find out what other products are currently

available in the marketplace it is usually prudent to review, and if

necessary refine, the conceptual design after further discussions with manufacturers, suppliers and the Department of Transport.

After modification, the vehicle owner is responsible for the vehicle’s continued compliance with safety and roadworthiness standards.

MINOR VEHICLE MODIFICATIONS can be carried out without specific

approval Such modifications include: fitting a properly designed steering

wheel fitting additional grab handles fitting roof racks to carry a wheelchair fitting lifting and storage equipment

MAJOR MODIFICATIONS require the approval of the Department of

Transport Unauthorized vehicle modifications can

lead to: a compliance notice (“yellow sticker”) a loss of third party insurance privileges

in the case of an accident being sued for causing injury or damage

to others and/or their property refusal by insurance companies to insure

the vehicle until the modifications are removed

These modifications may include: stretching the vehicle; altering the vehicle roof; performing seat modifications assist getting in and out of the vehicle; installing wheelchair racks or carriers mounted

at the rear of the vehicle; installing hand controls; installing foot pedals and pedal brackets to

enable pedals to be operated with just a left foot;

installing special seat belts; installing special restraints for wheelchairs that

are to be occupied by disabled passengers.

MODIFICATION PROCEDURE

DEVELOP THE CONCEPT Decide what apparatus or modification

is required Discuss the concept with associates,

doctors, or organizations Find out what similar products are

currently available in the marketplace Assess the safety requirements Consult the Vehicle Safety Branch Redefine or refine the conceptual

requirements.

DECIDE WHETHER THE CONCEPT IS REALLY PRACTICAL Can the apparatus or modification be made

at a reasonable price? From what materials? By whom? Produce preliminary sketches Obtain the advice of a consulting engineer Produce sketch plans and/or a brief

specification for its construction Obtain a budget price to develop and/or

produce the item Refine or redefine the conceptual

requirements if necessary

LIFTS Lifts may be

external or internal depending on the size of the vehicle and personal needs and can be mounted on the side or rear of the vehicle.

Lifts may also be automatic or semi-automatic.

AUTOMATIC LIFT provides powered lifting and folding

motions. It is possible for a person with a disability to operate this type of lift without assistance. On average, fully automatic lifts cost about $500 more than semi-automatic lifts.

SEMI-AUTOMATIC LIFT provides powered lifting and lowering

motion. However, the platform must be manually folded and unfolded on a semi-automatic lift.

CATEGORIES OF WHEELCHAIR LIFTS Platform Lift Rotary Lift / Swing Lift Hoist Lift Under Vehicle Lift

PLATFORM LIFT

common type of lift required on public

transportation flat surface platform can fold to a

vertical position outside of the van

usually lift larger and heavier loads

take up more space, weigh more

ROTARY LIFT / SWING LIFT swings out on a post and

lowers to the ground rotary motion takes up floor space in the

vehicle and cannot handle some larger and/or longer wheeled mobility aids

does not block the door does not require as much

parking space only used on personal vehicles

HOIST LIFT has an arm and straps wheeled mobility aid is

attached to the arm by the straps and is hoisted into the vehicle

not as common for lifting an individual seated in the mobility aid

frequently used to lift the unoccupied mobility aid into the vehicle

UNDER VEHICLE LIFT