A wheelchair accessible conversion is a vehicle (usually a minivan, full size van, car or truck) which has been modified to allow for wheelchair access. Individuals enter the vehicle while in their wheelchair by means of either a manual fold-out, or powered retracting ramp via the side or rear of the vehicle. VMI conversions include the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, Dodge Grand Caravan, Chrysler Town & Country, and the full size Ford E-350. Other vehicles may be “converted” to allow for: Visit our Vehicle Adaptations section of the website for further details and information Depending on the size of vehicle and the conversion style you choose, either the rear or middle seating will be lost to make room for the conversion and wheel chair. Front driver and passenger seats are generally removable and can be used in conjunction with either a retractable tie down or docking station to allow users to sit in either of the front seat areas. The two most widely used methods of securing either a power or manual wheelchair in place in an accessible vehicle are with retractable tie-down restraints, or a floor mounted Lock docking system.
The retractable tie-down restraints are versatile and will work with most wheelchairs/scooters without any major modifications. A docking system is an easier to use time saving option but requires each piece of equipment to be fitted with a custom component that locks the wheelchair into the docking system. This type of system allows users to be in either the driver or passenger seating area without having to transfer out of their wheelchair. See our Vehicle Adaptation Section for product informationHaving a vehicle modified by an approved conversion manufacturer or NMEDA certified conversion company will not void its warranty. Conversion company’s work closely with automakers to ensure OEM vehicle integrity is not compromised and build quality remains as close to the same as the original manufacturer. This holds true for van conversions, patient lift systems and equipment lift systems. Conversion related repairs and maintenance are completed by us at any one of our three locations or at any certified VMI Sales and Service Department across Canada or the U.S.A.
Driving controls and hand control maintenance and repairs should be completed by the closest NMEDA Authorized dealer to ensure a certified trained technician is completing the installation or repairs to your equipment. Vehicle related repairs and maintenance issues are supported by the closest manufacturer dealership. VMI conversion vehicles are built in Phoenix Arizona using vehicles shipped from Canada for Canadian customers. Advanced Mobility Products is an authorized dealer for VMI Vehicle Conversions while working closely with Can- Am Mobility in Kelowna. Vehicles bound for the lower mainland from Arizona are shipped to Adesa in Richmond BC and delivered to our Burnaby location for inspection, PDI and delivery anywhere in the lower mainland. Hand control & patient/equipment lifts are installed and service in any of our 3 locations by one of our trained and Certified NMEDA Installation Experts. Advanced Mobility Burnaby has 3 MVSA Certified Sales Representatives to facilitate the sale of the vehicle right here in our Burnaby location or in the comfort of your own home.
Please contact us directly to discuss your options through alternate funding agencies. VISIT OUR COMPREHENSIVE VEHICLE ADAPTATIONS SECTION OR CONTACT ONE OF OUR VEHICLE EXPERTS DIRECTLY.If something on your wheelchair breaks you may find it difficult to get it repaired when traveling abroad as many spare parts will be difficult to find in foreign countries. If you do take your own wheelchair, take an emergency repair kit with you. Renting a wheelchair solves all of these problems for you. The wheelchair you rent may not fit you as well as your own, but it will most likely fit the environment that you are traveling to as it was made to be used there. Wheelchair van rental will give a wheelchair user mobility in foreign countries. Some developed countries have accessible public transport, but many countries do not. Having access to a wheelchair van or adapted vehicle means you will be freely mobile wherever you travel. Before renting any equipment be sure to clarify:
Last Updated: 2015-02-26Jump to:Sub CategoriesDefinitionFactsPublicationsPrintSynopsis: Information on adaptive vehicle products including automotive hand controls allowing seniors and people with a disability to drive.An automobile adapted for ease of use by people with disabilities. Today automobiles, whether a car, truck, or a van, can be adapted for a range of physical disabilities. Foot pedals can be raised, or replaced with hand-controlled devices. Automotive adaptive hand controls also make it possible to adjust acceleration as well braking.The introduction of new technology continues to broaden opportunities for people with disabilities to drive vehicles with hand controls and adaptive automotive products and devices. As we're all unique, one specific product rarely suits the needs of everyone. This is true when it comes to mobility vehicles as every person with a mobility issue has individual requirements and will need specific features to make them feel confident and comfortable when they drive.
In recent years, technological advances have introduced automotive adaptive devices which either reduce the physical effort required to control and/or operate a vehicle or alter the way in which driver control initiatives are applied to the vehicle control systems. These adaptive devices provide the possibility of driving a vehicle for many drivers with disabilities.There are two main types of automotive adaptive controls, those that provide an external source of power to actuate existing vehicle controls and those that modify OEM components to alter the operation of vehicle control systems. Generally, these are referred to as servo-type motion control systems and reduced effort or zero effort control systems, respectively.Adaptive vehicle control products are commonly prescribed by rehabilitation centers and installed by mobility equipment dealers and installers who specialize in vehicle modifications for persons with disabilities, seniors, and persons who have a need for greater mobility.
Driver rehabilitation specialists perform comprehensive evaluations to identify the adaptive equipment most suited to your needs. They assess the type of seating needed and the person's ability to exit and enter the vehicle. They provide advice on the purchase of modified vehicles and recommend appropriate wheelchair lifts or other equipment for a vehicle you own. The use of wheelchair car and van hand controls usually requires the driver to take and pass a special training class which educates on the nuances of driving with the controls.The costs associated with modifying a vehicle vary greatly. A new vehicle modified with adaptive equipment can cost from $20,000 to $80,000. Therefore, whether you are modifying a vehicle you own or purchasing a new vehicle with adaptive equipment, it pays to investigate public and private opportunities for financial assistance. There are however programs that help pay part or all of the cost of vehicle modification, depending on the cause and nature of the disability.
Other adaptive vehicle controls include:Car adaptations for the disabled include hand controls that are designed to correspond to the natural hand-arm movement of the driver: pull the control back, push down, or use a twist grip to accelerate, push it forward to brake. There are many hand controls available such as an easy use handbrake which is ideal if you find squeezing and pulling the handbrake lever difficult.Left foot accelerator adaptations for automatic vehicles provide an accelerator pedal to either side of the brake pedal. The left foot accelerator consists of two hinged pedals connected by a cable or mechanical rods. They are set up in such a way as to ensure it is only possible to have one of the pedals down at any time.Extended indicator arms for ease of use operating a vehicles turn signal.Steering wheel spinner knobs and devices for one hand control of the steering wheel for vehicles with power steering. Sure Grip hand control users use a push/rock style of driving with products specifically designed to give drivers the benefit of controlling a vehicle with both hands on the wheel for a safer, smoother driving experience.
Swivel Seats - Among other advantages, swivel transfer seats provide drivers with disabilities the ability to easily transfer from their wheelchair in the center section of a van to the driver position. The swivel seat base is usually electronically controlled using actuators and gears that slide the seat backward and forward, and there are swivel up and down controls.Turny/Turny Orbit - This revolutionary system for higher vehicles provides easy access to an automotive seat. The seat rotates, comes out of the vehicle, and lowers toward the ground, eliminating the climbing and twisting normally required to enter a higher vehicle.Reduced effort braking systems, gas or brake pedal extensions and many other adaptive vehicle solutions for drivers with restricted capabilities or prosthetics.Portable hand controls are available for the paraplegic or amputee with a need for a car or van hand control that can be conveniently carried as luggage. Portable hand controls install in an automatic transmission vehicle in minutes.
These hand controls are designed for use by individuals with normal upper body strength and coordination. Hand motions are pull to accelerate, push to brake. As with all hand controls, power brakes and steering are a must.One option available for some drivers is to install electronically assisted hand controls. This technology has revolutionized how people in wheelchairs approach driving. EMC offers two types of controls. Primary Controls manage gas, brakes, and steering while the Secondary Driving Controls manufactured by EMC are designed to operate vehicle functions other than Gas, Brake and Steering.If you use a wheelchair then it's likely that you'll need to store the chair while you're driving so you can use it at your destination. Modifications which could make the process easier including installing a ramp to the rear of the car to make loading the wheelchair into the rear space much easier.Other alternatives include rear hoists which can lift wheelchairs into the back of most cars and will give you more independence as you may not need others to help lift the chair with you.
If space in the rear of your car is limited you could decide to have a rooftop hoist and storage solution installed. These gadgets mechanically lift a manual wheelchair up from ground level and securely store it in a storage rack unit on top of your car. When you get to your destination your wheelchair can simply be lowered again at the touch of a button.Pedal extensions help the person with short legs to reach the pedals. 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. A 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 adaption, the pedal is provided on both sides of the brakes.Share on:TwitterFaceBookGoogle+Email ArticleCiteHand Controls Driving RSSFull List of Hand Controls Driving Documents (18 Items)