Tag Archives: adaptive driving equipment

Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic Brain Injury and Closed Head Injury commonly occur due to motor vehicle collisions. Injuries can range from a loss of consciousness of less than five minutes to being comatose for many months. Any level of injury can cause an increase in pre-injury bad driving behaviors or create new, unsafe driving issues. These issues can stem from problems with vision, accuracy and speed of eye movements, speed of response, attention, memory, problem solving, judgment and/or loss of physical skills. It can spare one skill and wipe another skill completely from memory. It commonly makes learning new information difficult and may keep a survivor from quickly learning from their mistakes. All of the above can result in unsafe driving encounters, unpredictable driving actions or repeat collisions for the survivor.If someone you know has been in an accident or has had a TBI, look for the following warning signs:

Inappropriate driving speeds
Is slow to identify and avoid potentially hazardous situations
Needs help or instruction from passengers
Doesn’t observe signs or signals or speed limits
Leaves out important road, traffic or warning information
Slow or poor decisions to traffic or road changes
Easily frustrated or confused
Pattern of getting lost, even in familiar areas
Collisions or near misses
Blames their driving mistakes on the behavior of other drivers

If you or those that drive with you notice any of the above warning signs and need a driving evaluation, give us a call at 508-697-6006 and we can, help you with with knowledge about medical conditions, and help with a comprehensive evaluation and determine your ability to drive.

Visual Perception
Functional Ability
Reaction Time
Behind-the-wheel evaluation

Multiple Sclerosis

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Multiple Sclerosis can affect individuals in varying ways including tingling, numbness, slurred speech, blurred or double vision, muscle weakness, poor coordination, unusual fatigue, muscle cramps, bowel and bladder problems and paralysis. Due to these symptoms, special equipment or accommodations may need to be made to aid a person in safely maintaining their mobility independence for as long as possible.

Physical Considerations: The following are considerations for selecting a vehicle:

Driving a sedan: The Individual must be able to do the following:

Open and close the Door
Transfer in and out of the vehicle
A wheelchair/scooter must be able to be stored and retrieved. Special equipment is available to aid with storage.

Driving a Van: Options may include a mini-van with a lowered floor and a ramp or a full size van with a lift. Specialized modifications allow a person to transfer to the driver’s seat or drive from a wheelchair. Technology may be able to compensate for the loss of strength or range of motion such as:

Reduced effort steering and/or brake systems to compensate for reduced strength.
Mechanical hand controls allow for operation of the gas and brake using upper extremities.
Servo brake/ accelerator systems compensate for reduced strength/range of motion of arms.
If spasticity is difficult to manage, it may lead to an inability to drive.

Visual Changes:

May be severe enough that driving is precluded or night driving is prohibited.
If double vision is intermittent and can be monitored independently, then driving may be limited to avoid driving during an exacerbation.
Sunglasses may help with glare sensitivity.
Compensate for loss of peripheral vision with special mirrors and head turning.
Learn order of traffic signals to aid with color vision impairment.

Cognitive Issues:

Need to regulate emotions and avoid driving when upset, angry or overly emotional.
May be limited to familiar routes if some loss of memory or problem solving but still enough judgment to drive.

Decreased Energy:

Energy conservation is vital.
May require assistance with wheelchair loading to save energy for driving.
Air conditioning aids with managing warm climates.

Medications:

Seek the physician’s input regarding side effects which may impair driving.
Monitor when medications are taken. Don’t drive when sleepy or just before or after medicating

Visual Perception
Functional Ability
Reaction Time
Behind-the-wheel evaluation

Spina Bifida

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Spina Bifida is a congenital defect in which part of one or more vertebrae (the bone structure that surrounds the spinal column), fail, to develop completely, leaving part of the spinal cord exposed. It can occur anywhere on the spine but is most common in the lower back. The severity of the condition depends on how much nerve tissue is exposed. Frequently special adaptations on a vehicle are necessary for independent driving. The person with Spina Bifida may also have impairments in the ~areas of vision, perception (how the brain interprets what the eyes see) or learning. Adaptive driving equipment is frequently used for physical problems. A spinner knob and hand controls can be used if a person is unable to use either foot for gas or brake. Specialized modifications can also allow a person to transfer to the driver’s seat or drive from the wheelchair in a van or minivan.

Common factors that can affect safe driving:

Limited range of motion and strength
Difficulty with coordinated movements
Visual impairments (poor acuity)
Trouble visually scanning or tracking quickly
Learning difficulties
Impaired judgment in complex situations
Slow processing and reaction time

A driver rehabilitation evaluation will examine the strengths and weaknesses of each individual as related to the driving task. The goal is independent, safe driving. No modifications or vehicle selection should be made until the person has completed a driver evaluation.

Visual Perception
Functional Ability
Reaction Time
Behind-the-wheel evaluation

volvo mobility program assistance new england

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Mobility by Volvo is an extension of the Volvo philosophy that travels with you from your retailer to your driveway. Our goal is to assist you, providing you with transportation solutions found within the extraordinary comfort and safety of a specially adapted Volvo.

Mobility by Volvo Program Reimbursement

• Up to $1,000 toward the cost of adaptive equipment added to an eligible new Volvo

• Up to $200 on alert hearing devices

Maximum reimbursement is $1,000.*

Learn More About Mobility by Volvo

You may contact us to get your mobility equipment expertly installed:

Mobility by Volvo Program Flyer – Program Rules and FAQs
Contact us at VMi New England for access to a world wide network of Adaptive Driving Resources

Start the Reimbursement Process

To receive your reimbursement, you or your retailer must obtain a Mobility by Volvo Claim Form. You may contact the Mobility by Volvo Center at (800) 803-5222 to request the Claim Form.

Eligible Adaptive Equipment*

“Adaptive equipment” includes all permanently installed mobility devices, necessary for a person with a physical disability to drive, or be transported in, a vehicle. Options available from the factory or the retailer for installation, such as running boards and power-assisted seats, are not considered eligible for reimbursement.

Although a Driver Assessment Center is likely your best authority on what is right for you or a family member, here are examples of adaptive equipment installations available for Volvo vehicles, approved by Mobility by Volvo:

•Carriers

•Lifts/Hoists

•Driving Aids/Hand Controls

*Mobility by Volvo TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

•Offer is limited to $1,000 toward the cost of adding adaptive equipment, and $200 on an alert hearing device, per vehicle. Maximum reimbursement is $1,000. Offer only available to legal U.S. residents. Offer is not transferable.

•Offer only available for purchases of 2012 or 2013 model year new vehicles, properly retired courtesy cars, and retired demonstrators. Offer cannot be applied to the purchase of any other model year Volvo or Volvo courtesy car, models sold directly or indirectly outside of the United States, and/or VCIC (overseas delivery) program sales. Vehicles purchased as used are not eligible.

•Claims must be submitted within 180 days of vehicle purchase.

•Factory or retailer installation options, such as running boards and power-assisted seats, are not considered eligible for reimbursement.

•Offer cannot be used toward the cost of the purchase or installation of Volvo options or accessories, and the payment of sales tax. This offer is subject to federal, state and local taxes.

•Consumers should verify modification information and obtain complete modifier references before having the vehicle modified.

Volvo New Car Warranty
Damage caused by unapproved or improperly installed adaptive equipment, alert hearing devices and accessories will not be covered under the Volvo New Car Warranty. Owners should refer to the Volvo Warranty and Service Records Information booklet for additional warranty information. Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, assumes no responsibility for death, injury or expenses that my result from the installation of adaptive equipment, alert hearing device and non-genuine Volvo Accessories.

Note: The adaptive equipment listed above is subject to change and should be used for reference purposes only. Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, is providing this information for assistance and reference purposes only—no endorsement is intended. The quality of services and/or equipment provided by others can only be assured by the supplying organization. Consumers should verify information and obtain complete references before beginning any vehicle adaptation.

Financing Options for Wheelchair Vans Massachusetts and New England

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Financing Options

DID YOU KNOW? In most towns you are exempt from excise tax if you don’t pay state sales tax on your mobility van. See the bottom of this page for a list of most cities and towns in MA and RI for you to check on your options.

VMi New England offers on-site bank financing. Our goal is to provide you with the vehicle that will fit your needs. Here are some financing options we have available for you on-site:

CONSUMER LOANS – We offer adaptive mobility van banking programs that can offer up to 10 years financing on a wheelchair handicap van. Even if your credit is less than perfect we will work hard to get you financed!!

INDEPENDENT LIVING CENTERS – A nonprofit organization that helps grant people money so they can maintain an independent lifestyle.

INDEPENDENT MOBILITY SYSTEMS – IMS used to offer long-term financing on all new purchases. All loan transactions are done on-site and guaranteed to help fit your needs.

INSURANCE COMPANIES – We will help you work with your insurance company to make sure you are receiving the maximum your benefits allow.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS – May be able to help to familles that have children with disabilities. (up to age 20)

MANUFACTURERS REBATES – Major manufacturers often offer rebates. We’ll help you process all paperwork.

MEDICAID – In certain instances, Medicaid will pay for vehicle adaptive equipment. This falls under the “Medicaid waiver” and each state administers this program differently. We will be able to process you Medicaid claims for you as of January 2003.

PFS – Patient Financing offers long-term financing fit for your budget. PFS will finance any medical related equipment up to $25,000.00.

TOYOTA FINANCING– We can now get financing on Toyota Sienna wheelchair vans.

VETERANS ADMINISTRATION – Provides help for veterans.

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION – A State funded organization that’s goal is to provide individuals with the means they need to get back into the workforce.