Driving Information & Resources – Children's Brain Tumor Foundation

DRIVING INFORMATION & RESOURCES

Tips and Tricks for Driving on your own (Car adaptations)

Good news! Many cars now have all sorts of driver assist technologies that make a huge difference in driving and safety, which can help, but it really depends on the specific needs of the individual.

Different makes and models of cars seem to be kore supported or more easily adaptable. Some CBTF families have had good luck with FORD and SUBARU, but you’ll need to check out things for yourself. Check out the information below from other websites that offer insight into driving with a disability and all the things you need to consider.

Adaptive Driving Aids For Your Car
Adaptive driving makes it possible for the mobility-impaired to drive vehicles easily and safely. Driving is an important part of life. The mobility-impaired have to meet the challenges of life just like any other person. However, normal cars cannot be used by the mobility-impaired because they have special needs. Adaptive driving helps people in wheelchairs to gain independence, move in and out of the vehicle, and drive the vehicle with assistive technologies. Find out more here.

Hand Controls
Hand controls are integrated to the vehicle to enable easy operation. Levers and buttons are used to apply the brakes. Remote switches are provided for secondary controls. The driver can use hand arm movement to execute the controls, accelerate, push the brakes forward or twist the grip. Lights, wipers, horns, and indicators are controlled with buttons. Other controls such as signal turns, dimmers, and even accelerators can be operated using the hand.

Some portable hand controls are also provided with adaptive vehicles, which can be installed depending on varying needs. These controls can be carried along in the luggage. Power brakes and steering controls are provided with most of the hand controls. Electronically assisted hand control is also provided to manage primary and secondary driving controls. Devices such as amputee ring, spinner knob, and quad fork are attached to the steering to assist driving. The hand controls enable the driver to use both the hands to control the vehicle, providing a safe and smooth drive.

Hand Controls: Provides links to some places where you can get adaptive hand controls.
Veigel: A good place to find adaptive hand control products.
Freedom Wheels: Offers a number of hand controls like spinner knob, palm spinner, quad fork, and more.
Performance Mobility: Take a look at their range of adaptive hand controls.

Pedal Extensions
Pedal extensions help the person with short legs to reach the pedal. In this kind of arrangement, the brakes and accelerator pedal height are raised. The pedal extension enables the driver to apply the brakes with reduced effort.

Extension Controls: Discusses extension controls for adaptive driving including pedal extensions.
Scott’s Auto: Offers a number of pedal extenders.
Pedal Mates: Another place to find pedal extensions.
Creative Controls: Supplies various types of pedal extensions.

Left Foot Gas Pedal
The left foot gas pedal requires professional installation in which modifications are done for the braking and acceleration systems. For a missing leg, the left foot gas pedal is used as it prevents crossovers. In left foot gas pedal adaptation, the pedal is provided on both sides of the brakes.

Kempf: A description of its electronic left foot gas pedal.
Planet Mobility: Take a look at this left foot gas pedal.
Evaluation: Transport Canada conducts an evaluation of left foot gas pedals.
PLFA: Provides a portable left foot accelerator for use in different cars.

Driver Seat Modifications
The driver’s seat is modified depending on the person’s ability to enter or exit the vehicle. The seat helps in positioning, balancing, and providing stability to the driver. Power seats are the attachments which help to adjust the seat position. The seat is modified to allow it to be rotated, removed or lowered. The driver’s seat is modified so that it can be turned to enable the person to enter the vehicle. Provision for climbing onto the vehicle is provided. Lap belts are used along with shoulder belts on the seat to provide extra support.

Ricon: Take a look at this 6-way Power Transfer Seat.
Bruno: Provides a range of Turning Automotive Seating options.
Adaptive Auto: Offers a state-of-the-art transfer seat for adaptive driving.
Modifications: Explains various modifications to be done for adaptive driving including driver seat modifications.

Wheelchair Ramps and Lifts
Ramps and lifts are provided in the vehicle to enable easy entry and exit from the vehicle. Ramps are used to load scooters and other equipment. Modifications such as increasing the width of doors in minivans and automatic buttons to open and close the doors are installed before the ramps and lifts are installed. Handlebars and grab bars are located in convenient positions in the van to make it easy for the driver to move in and out of the wheelchair. Transfer boards are provided to help the driver slide from the wheelchair to the car seat.

Discount Ramps: A great place to get ramps at discounted prices.
Handi-Ramp: One of the most trusted names in wheelchair ramps and lifts.
MC Mobility: Supplies a range of wheelchair ramps and lifts.
AmeriGlide: A great place to shop for wheelchair lifts.
Universal Accessibility: A leading provider of wheelchair lifts.

Cost Saving Opportunities
There are some cost-saving opportunities for people with disabilities. Many nonprofit organizations provide grants to pay for the devices. Some health insurance companies provide coverage for vehicle modification, wheelchair lifts, and adaptive devices. State governments have waived taxes on adaptive devices and the mobility-impaired can receive certain tax benefits. The person can claim to get medical deductions in income tax returns. It’s best to contact a tax consultant to know more about it. Many manufacturers of the adaptive devices provide reimbursements and rebates for the devices.

ADA Mobility: Provides a list of cost-saving opportunities.
Ride-Away: Check out their 10-year financing options.
North Carolina: A number of funding options for people in North Carolina.
Able Data: A resource centre for people who are looking for funding.

Car Manufacturers
Car manufacturers offer mobility programs where the buyer is provided with vehicles which are equipped with a number of adaptive devices. Most of the wheelchair lifts and devices provided in the vehicles are eligible for reimbursements. Chrysler provides reimbursement of up to $750 for trucks, and the reimbursement for cars is up to $1000. The car is modified to be equipped with adaptive driver and passenger equipment or there’s also a full sized wheelchair van. Similar programs are run by other leading car companies such as Dodge, Toyota, Honda, GM, and Ford. Training is provided to drive such vehicles and the person is required to obtain a license to operate the vehicle.

Ford: The mobility motoring division of the company.
GM: General Motors’ Mobility homepage.
Toyota: Check out their range of mobility vehicles.
Chrysler: Find out more about their Automobility program.

Resources
For more information about assistive vehicles and driving programs, please visit the following links:

Driving While Disabled: Provides basic information for adaptive driving.
Automotive Safety: The NHTSA provides safety information for adaptive drivers.
NMEDA: Official website of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association.
Cars & Driving: Provides information on adaptive driving.

A Guide to Understanding Cars & Vehicles for the Handicapped

Driving with a disability doesn’t have to be a chore because there are several modifications that you can make to your vehicle. Whether you are looking into adding accessible products to a car you already own—or are specifically doing research into vehicles that come readily equipped with what you need, driving with a disability is more attainable than you might think. Below we’ll dive into information related to cars for the handicapped, how to get the modifications you need, and other pre-driving planning you’ll need to know.

Find our more here.

Get an Understanding of Driving With a Disability
Keep in mind that there are laws and requirements at play when it comes to driving with a disability. Understanding ADA compliance for parking lots is one thing, but you need to also understand the ins and outs of driving with a disability.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started.

Enroll in Driving School and See Which Vehicle Modifications Are Needed for Your Disability

If you’re driving with disabilities, you need to first and foremost make sure you know which facets of your disability you will need help with in order to get behind the wheel.

You will find this out when you enroll in a driving school near you. Before you can become officially licensed in any state, you will need to pass both a written exam and complete your driving hours to complete the full test.

Before your Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will let you behind the wheel of a car to take the test, they’ll need to secure one that is equipped to serve your disability needs, meaning, a vehicle with a ramp and lowered floor, if you are driving from or regularly use a wheelchair or a vehicle that has other adaptations like hand controls.

For best results, schedule an appointment so that you can get an ideal time slot and make sure that your local DMV branch has a vehicle available that you can use.

Get Disabled Driving Lessons to Get Used to the Equipment

To improve your chances of passing the exam, you should log some time with a converted vehicle. If you are located in an urban environment, there will be driving schools in your area that will let you become accustomed to driving with these modifications. Once you find out the exact specs and modifications of the car you’ll be driving for your behind-the-wheel test, several practice sessions will help you pass the exam. It’s often required to log some time with the vehicle before you can be eligible for the test.

Pass Your Exam

In order to get licensed, you’ll need to show that you can drive a modified vehicle. After you pass your exam you’ll be in a position to pass the test with flying colors. Be sure that you get a good night’s sleep prior to your driving exam and run through a checklist of all the points that the instructor will key in on. Modify Your Vehicle or Shop for the Handicapped Vehicle That You Need. Now that you are familiar with the prerequisites for obtaining your disabled driver’s license, it’s time to assess your current vehicle and your needs. The next step in gaining driving freedom is to start looking into vehicle driving modifications. Should you adapt your current vehicle or buy a new or used converted vehicle? Here are a few points of info that you will want to keep in mind as you are making this decision:

Be Sure That The Vehicle Passes All the Prerequisites If You’re Going to Modify It

Not every vehicle can be made into an accessible vehicle. In fact, you’ll want to do some preliminary research so that you can make sure your vehicle is able to be adapted. Some of the main things you should keep in mind include ensuring that your vehicle has an automatic transmission, power seats, and power steering. Older vehicles are also not accepted by manufacturers for conversion. When at all possible, use a newer vehicle so that you know you can get plenty of miles out of the modifications.

Understand What Modifications Are Necessary

There are significant accessible modifications made to a vehicle in order to make it a fully-equipped accessible conversion. However, there are some smaller, cost-efficient modifications you can try first. Some of the main modifications that you’ll want to focus on include extending and adjusting the seat belts, lifting and lowering the wheel, adding driving hand controls that let you easily access the gears, wheel, and brakes, transfer seat lifts that help you get in and out of the vehicle, and push-button ignition systems that are easy on your hands and fingers. If these systems help but do not completely meet your needs, you may need a full conversion vehicle, like a side-entry or rear-entry wheelchair accessible van. Consider exactly what modifications are useful based on your disability, and research what is best for you.

Study the Disabled Driving Laws

Always stay up to date with the laws when it comes to modifying your vehicle or buying a modified vehicle. Your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and other organizations all have their own requirements when it comes to driving disabled. You may even be able to take advantage of some credits or tax cuts that can help you buy a new vehicle or modify an existing one so that you can get on the road. Make sure that you continuously follow the laws of the road and make sure that all of your modifications and mechanisms are taken care of.

If you are modifying an existing car, take care when choosing the company to install the modifications. Ideally, you want to choose someone who has previous experience in these modifications so that you know they will be done correctly.

4. Look Into Purchasing Cars for Handicapped

Technology today allows you to enjoy the benefits of driving regardless of what sort of disability you have. By following the guidelines above, you can be on the road in comfort and style.