Lec#14

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

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
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
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
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
vehicles continued
compliance with safety
and roadworthiness
standards.

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
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.
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.
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 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.
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.

provides powered lifting and lowering
motion. However, the platform must be
manually folded and unfolded on a semi-
automatic lift.
Platform Lift
Rotary Lift / Swing Lift
Hoist Lift
Under Vehicle 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

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


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