There is no doubt to one fact; hand controls allow a wheelchair bound person to stay independent. But, do not be under the wrong impression that installing them alone would solve all your driving woes. You have to take care of many things. Planning well in advance, getting the required training and determining what would work best for you are just a few to mention. Do the following if you are someone planning to install them in your vehicle.
1. Contact a mobility equipment dealer
The first thing you should do when you feel the need of customization for your wheelchair van, car or scooter is contacting a mobility equipment dealer. There are many organizations working in the field; just a search online would help you locate one. Every individual is unique. The device which works well for one may not be ideal for another. You need to do lots of research and get help before you are able to determine the one ideal for you. It is true that a research online will assist your efforts. But, experiences teach that getting help from a mobility equipment dealer is the best way to stay safe on the road.
2. Spend a bit to save big
If your choice falls on a reputed mobility equipment dealer, you would have no trouble locating a certified driver rehabilitation specialist. The expert will evaluate your physical condition and determine if you would be able to drive with the required modifications. Contacting an occupational therapist in your area too would help you make a wise choice in this direction. Almost all the OTs are CDRSs. done this, get prescriptions from a doctor recommending the driver evaluation.
3. Know your options
It is true that a CDRS would make recommendations after evaluating your capabilities. However, having a basic understanding in the matter will help you ask wise questions. Almost all mechanical hand controls feature a knob on the steering wheel. This allows you to steer the vehicle with one hand while you can use the other to accelerate or brake a vehicle. Your options here are vast; choose one based on the recommendations from your CDRS. The expert will definitely take your budget into consideration when suggesting a model.
4. Understand how to install hand controls
Hand control devices are generally installed by a certified professional. After determining the type of device you need, contact a dealer for instructions on how to go about the task. It may happen that you will need to buy another vehicle to install the controls you need.
You should also make sure that the customization does not create trouble for a non-disabled driver. Ask the professional to take measures to ensure that the devices don’t affect the visibility. Even with the secondary controls, you should be able to see the headlights and other switches from your position without any difficulty.
Installing hand controls in a vehicle may appear to be a time-consuming process. But, it will help you stay independent all your life.
Contact :
Contact Person: Mo Abusham
E-mail: [email protected]
Guidosimplex USA
Address: 8130 Parkway Dr.La Mesa, CA 91942
Tel/Fax: 888 540 8267
Website: http://www.guidosimplexusa.com/