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 vehicle’s 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