Having a disability can bring challenges, especially when it comes to accessibility. For many of us, a car is an essential part of life, be it for travelling on holiday, leisure, or commuting, and your disability is one thing that should not stand in the way of this.
Motability, or mobility, cars are specifically designed to cater to the needs of those who find it more difficult to either drive themselves or access a vehicle, for example. However, thanks to evolving technology, cars are becoming easier to transform into accessible spaces, depending on what adjustments you or your loved one’s disability requires you to make.
Invest In A Wheelchair Hoist
Wheelchair hoists are a great way to make your car more wheelchair accessible. They work by securely and safely lifting, or hoisting, either a wheelchair or scooter into the vehicle’s boot.
Wheelchair hoists are incredibly versatile requiring little effort from the user or carer once correctly fitted. Hoists come in two-way, which is where the wheelchair lift only moves up and down; a four-way hoist moves both up and down and sides to side; whilst a six-way hoist goes up, down, side to side, and can swivel up to 90 degrees.
Adding A Retractable Ramp
Rear access conversions also prove a popular option, being so widely available. A retractable ramp is placed on the ground, either manually powered or electric, which allows for an easy entrance for the wheelchair to be wheeled into the boot. If vehicle space is restricted, however, fear not, as an exterior carrier can be an excellent alternative, carrying your wheelchair or scooter on the back of your car.
Swap Out The Car Seat!
Another way to make your car more wheelchair accessible is by changing the seating arrangements.
A Carony system allows for a wheelchair to be transformed into a car seat, without the need for lifting or transferring. The seat slides onto the rails of the system, directly from the wheelchair.
Turnout seats are another seating adjustment option, which allows the wheelchair user to easily exit and enter the car by lowering the seats in the vehicle. Depending on the needs of the wheelchair user, a turnout seat can turn, rotate, extend, and lower, being suitable for all sized vehicles.
Changing To Push & Pull Controls
If you or your loved one’s disability has now meant it’s no longer possible to use foot pedals while driving, push and pull controls can be used as a replacement and can be fitted to most vehicles. They work using a lever mechanism that is joined to the steering wheel. Pulling the lever acts as the acceleration pedal would, and to break, you simply push the lever away from you.
Making changes to your vehicle does not have to be a complicated process. Wheelchair accessibility features can not only provide independence for those who have previously struggled with car mobility but most importantly can drastically improve the quality of day-to-day life for wheelchair users.
Here at PB Conversions, our dedicated and friendly team is on hand to answer any questions or queries you may have, so get in touch today or contact us on 01525 850588.
Recently had my fourth vehicle adapted by Paul At Pb Conversions.always does a first class job and with first class service & always easy to deal with. Thanks for the great service Paul from you and your crew over the years.
Kiran was very helpful today explaining some of the issues I had with my hoist, and how to avoid them from happening again.
Dealt with the adaptations for my son's new motability vehicle - very friendly, efficient and helpful. Really pleased.
Very helpful and knowledgeable engineer, fast and efficient service
Thank you so much for all your advice, help and very professional job on adapting our car. Without your advice I would never have known to apply for a grant. You were excellent, thank again.
Due to my husband's condition we need a car with adaptions, we were advised by his paraplegic group to visit and this place is the best. Felt so relaxed talking about what we needed, all the staff were so friendly and so well informed, going above and beyond, especially Paul Berridge. I fully recommend this business. Honest and reliable. Thank you.
Staff are super super friendly, helpful, extremely informative and really nothing Paul & Co can’t do to any vehicle. PERFECTION is their middle name! Thank you so much for your outstanding service to me over the years and I look forward to using your company all my driving life.
Excellent work done on our car and very professional company. Great customer service and prompt response to emails.
Would you like an assessment?
If you are a disabled driver, or know a disabled driver in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire or Northamptonshire, please contact PB Conversions for a free no obligation quote to assess what products would benefit you.