The Range of Adaptations on the Mobility Scheme
When it comes to choosing a vehicle that suits your mobility needs there are a wide variety of adaptations that can be made to help you. A lot of these depend exactly on your needs, but whatever they are there is a range of options for you.
Scooter Hoists
If you use a scooter to get around, then one your biggest challenges can be getting the scooter in and out of your vehicle. This is where a scooter hoist will come in very useful. These are normally used to load the scooter into the boot space of your vehicle. The type of hoist that you need will entirely depend on the size and weight of your scooter. Hoists are available in either 2-way hoists or 4-way hoists. A 2-way hoist only moves up and down, so you will need to be able to push it into the boot yourself. A 4-way hoist will load it entirely.
Swivel Seats
If you have problems transferring from wheelchair to car seat, then the use of a swivel seat may well help you. There is a wide range of options that can be fitted to your seats. The type of seat fitted can turn, and in some cases move in and out of the car. It can also lower and tip as well to assist with transferring to a wheelchair. Fitted seats can be either powered or unpowered depending on the needs of the user. In a lot of cases though once transferred to the car sear the user will need assistance with relocating the wheelchair to the boot of the vehicle.
Person Hoist
Another option for you as a wheelchair user is a person hoist. This device will physically lift you out of the wheelchair and into the car seat. This works by having a permanent mount inside the car and a canvas sling which can be slipped under the user with very little movement required on their part. The hoist will then transfer you to the vehicle. This allows the user to sit on the normal car seat and therefore can be at the same level as a driver or other passengers. These solutions won’t necessarily suit everyone.
Hand Controls
If you have limited mobility in your legs, then a range of different hand controls can be fitted to the vehicle to enable you to replace the functions of the pedals. The most common of these is the ‘push-me-pull-you’ type control that allows you to accelerate or brake using a single control. These can be mechanical, or electronic depending on the requirements. Additionally, you can replace just the accelerator with a hand control.
Finding a Supplier
No matter what solutions you want for your vehicle you can find something that suits you. The friendly staff at Des Gosling Mobility are here to help you find the exact solution for your vehicle. This allows you to gain the sense of freedom that having a vehicle can give you.
