Article

Driving Is Easier with Hand Controls for Disabled Drivers

Even if you have a disability, there should be no reason that you can’t get out and about on your own.  There are many different mobility products available to those with disabilities, and these products can ensure that you never again have to rely on someone else to help you with your errands or your trips around town.  With power scooters, electric wheelchairs, mobility vans, and hand controls for disabled drivers, it has never been easier for you to get out and about.

When you are choosing the mobility products for you, then there are many things that you will need to consider.  First of all, you can take stock of the things that you already own to make sure that you don’t double up.  Many people choose first to upgrade from a wheelchair to a power scooter.  These scooters can make travel easy without the need for a handicap accessible van, as long as you are not trying to travel over three miles roundtrip.

The next big purchase is often a vehicle that will easily carry your wheelchair or scooter.  Most of these are full size conversion vans that can hold the wheelchair inside, but the minivans with lowered floors are really gaining in popularity.  Sport utility vehicles are very popular, too, but most of these have a lift on the back of the vehicle.

Once you make your vehicle choice, then you can add several accessories and products.  There are wheelchair lifts that will help you to get your chair or scooter into the car without the need for heavy lifting.  There are also electric transfer seats that make getting from the wheelchair into the driver’s seat as easy as possible.  You will also need to decide on restraints and tie downs that will keep your chair from moving around while you are in transit.

Many people add the hand controls for disabled drivers, too.  These can make steering, braking, and accelerating easy, and you will never need to worry about using your legs.  Some drivers even get a joystick installed for steering, but these can take a great deal of practice to use.

If you decide to have the hand controls for disabled drivers installed on your vehicle, then you must be aware that driving it will take plenty of practice.  The time it takes is truly worth it, though!