A knowledgebase for everything concerning accessibility in and around cars.
We know pretty much everything about accessible vehicles and car adaptation. This is the place where we share our expertise with you. Find out what is possible and what kind of solution could be useful for a person with a certain type of disability.
Vehicle adaptation in 4 simple steps
While being old is not a disability, it can certainly make an impact on your flexibility, strength and overall ability to move. The good news is that the solutions that make a vehicle more accessible aren’t necessarily only for people using wheelchairs. They can be just as helpful for seniors where limited mobility prevents them from being truly independent.
So, you’ve read everything there is to find on vehicle adaptation. You have a pretty good idea of what solution you want. Now all you want to do is go to a webshop, fill your basket with the vehicle adaptation stuff you need and click buy. Well, unfortunately for you, things are not that easy. And for good reason too.
When you’re first out looking for an adapted vehicle you might not consider safety as an issue. Maybe you’re thinking: “It’s built into a car, it has to be safe!”. Unfortunately, that is not at all the case.
You can adapt your car to all sorts of abilities and needs. Here are some of the more common ones that don't really fit into any of our other categories.
Neither people nor wheelchairs should ride unsecured in a vehicle. In other words, wheelchair tie-downs and seat belts have a vital job to do in an adapted vehicle. While not always necessary, a postural belt can be just as important providing support and means for safe and comfortable seating.
If you want to get inside your car while seated in your wheelchair you have two options, a ramp or a wheelchair lift. What solution that will work best depends of course on your car and your abilities.
I often drive with our family to our summer house on the west coast. It is our favourite place and driving there is something I very much enjoy. It’s such a great feeling to be behind the wheel.
There are all sorts of solutions, from helping the child stay safely seated to sparing the parents backs from heavy lifting.
Roll in via the ramp, buckle up (that goes for both you and your wheelchair) and you’re ready for departure.
If you use any kind of mobility aid, there's the issue of getting it into the car.
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