Busted! Don’t Believe These Adaptive Driving Myths!
Custom vehicles and home modifications for persons with disabilities can empower them to drive and improve their quality of life. However, many misconceptions mislead clients into believing that adaptive driving is not a good idea.
So, to help you steer clear of these misconceptions, Access Options Inc. has debunked some of the most widely believed myths about adaptive driving.
Myth 1: I’m a quadriplegic. I can’t drive
It is a common misconception. There are quite a few options for persons with more involved disabilities to be able to get behind the wheel of a car. Some hand controls (devices that control brakes and gas with one hand) give the driver a mechanical advantage to push the pedals. These are relatively simple modifications.
Another option is electronic, which can be set up to operate the brakes and gas by controlling servo motors to apply the pedals. The electronic systems can also incorporate the steering to work the vehicle with a joystick just as one drives a power wheelchair. Besides, all secondary controls, including turn signals and horn, can be installed in an alternative way.
Myth 2: I can’t transfer into the driver seat, so I can’t drive
Another common misconception. We can tweak your vehicle so it can get driven from your wheelchair. Consequently, a power lock-down secures your wheelchair in the driving position so that no transfers are needed.
An alternative is a power transfer seat base, which mounts it on a platform that can electrically raise it, swivel it, or move it forward and back so the driver can easily slide straight across into the wheelchair.
Myth 3: I can’t use my arms, so I can’t drive
There are systems available that allow foot steering or an all-in-one system (joystick) to operate the vehicle with one foot. What you can’t do is irrelevant, as the only thing that matters is what you can accomplish.
If you’re looking to steer clear of these myths, reach out to Access Options Inc.
As the best retailer of auto accessibility products in California, we’re dedicated to increasing mobility for clients with disabilities by improving access in several areas.
We serve clients with quality products across San Jose, Santa Cruz, Watsonville, Monterey, Salinas, Hollister and Scotts Valley, California.
Our products include wheelchair vans, scooter lifts, ramp systems, and mobility vans. For a complete list of our products, please click here. If you have any questions about Access Options Inc., we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us here.