Tag Archives: scooter lift

Adaptive Equipment for Those with Partial Disabilities

Some individuals with partial disabilities say they do not have a need for a fully wheelchair accessible van or truck and state they only need a bit of extra help. For those able to stand with or without assistance, turn, and walk a few steps, there are a number of simple, affordable solutions that can make the vehicle you already own more comfortable and accessible.

Turning Seating
Convenient and affordable, turning automotive seating can eliminate the need to twist and climb into vehicles. Seats can be adapted to automatically swivel over the door frame with the push of a button, allowing drivers or passengers to easily accommodate themselves without having to struggle to get inside. These solutions can be installed in nearly any vehicle, including tall trucks and SUVs. In these cases, the seat lowers to the driver or passenger’s preferred height, then lifts and turns back into the vehicle.

Wheelchair or Scooter Lifts/Carriers
For those who are able to transfer into a vehicle’s seats, whether they are automatic or not, a wheelchair or scooter lifts can stow their equipment in the trunk or roof of a car, back of a van or SUV, or bed of a pick-up truck. These systems can be fully automatic or manually powered, depending on the needs of the user.

Grab Bars and Assist Handles
Grab bars and assist handles can make it safer for those with partial disabilities to enter, exit and drive a vehicle. Extremely affordable and portable, these solutions can be incorporated into nearly any make or model in mere minutes.

Steering Aids
Modifications like low-effort steering and wheel attachments can make driving much easier for those with limited upper body mobility, arthritis, etc. From palm grips to tri-grip designs, spinner knobs and steering cuffs, there is an accessible option to meet every need.

Simple Products That Help Transport Those with Partial Disabilities

Some people need a little help getting in and out of their vehicles. And people with partial disAbilities may have difficulty when transferring from the wheelchair to the vehicle seat but don’t need a ramp or lift. If you need basic support or equipment, a wide variety of products can be installed in your current vehicle.

If you can stand with or without assistance and turn and walk a few steps, items like grab bars, running boards, special seats and other equipment can transform your standard car, van, truck or SUV to your liking.

Grab bars and running boards can be put wherever you need a little help. They are inexpensive and can be added to most vehicles.

Assistive seating: A seat swivels out, you sit down, then it swivels back into the vehicle. Easy and convenient. Some even lift you into the vehicle and lower you back to the ground or wheelchair. Basic seats can be installed in large sedans and SUVS; others in minivans.

Wheelchair and scooter lifts lift the wheelchair and stow it in the trunk of a large sedan, back of a minivan or SUV, or back of a pick-up truck.

A Little Extra Help: Adaptive Equipment for Those with Partial Disabilities

Some individuals with partial disabilities say they do not have a need for a fully wheelchair accessible van or truck and state they only need a bit of extra help. For those able to stand with or without assistance, turn, and walk a few steps, there are a number of simple, affordable solutions that can make the vehicle you already own more comfortable and accessible.

Turning Seating
Convenient and affordable, turning automotive seating can eliminate the need to twist and climb into vehicles. Seats can be adapted to automatically swivel over the door frame with the push of a button, allowing drivers or passengers to easily accommodate themselves without having to struggle to get inside. These solutions can be installed in nearly any vehicle, including tall trucks and SUVs. In these cases, the seat lowers to the driver or passenger’s preferred height, then lifts and turns back into the vehicle.

Wheelchair or Scooter Lifts/Carriers
For those who are able to transfer into a vehicle’s seats, whether they are automatic or not, a wheelchair or scooter lifts can stow their equipment in the trunk or roof of a car, back of a van or SUV, or bed of a pick-up truck. These systems can be fully automatic or manually powered, depending on the needs of the user.

Grab Bars and Assist Handles
Grab bars and assist handles can make it safer for those with partial disabilities to enter, exit and drive a vehicle. Extremely affordable and portable, these solutions can be incorporated into nearly any make or model in mere minutes.

Steering Aids
Modifications like low-effort steering and wheel attachments can make driving much easier for those with limited upper body mobility, arthritis, etc. From palm grips to tri-grip designs, spinner knobs and steering cuffs, there is an accessible option to meet every need.

How to adapt your pre-owned vehicle to meet your needs after a stroke

VMi New England Wheelchair vans & ramp:Lift options
Easy Car Makeovers for Adaptive Driving

Driving after a stroke is often a major concern for survivor’s and their loved ones. It prompts many questions about ability, safety and vehicle options. Often times, the physical disadvantages that result from stroke can compromise a survivor’s ability to operate their vehicle.

Advances in the vehicle modification industry have introduced new driving controls that are giving independence back to stroke survivors that want to drive. They allow them to get back behind the wheel in their own vehicle to go where they want to go, when they want to go.

Innovative vehicle modifications such as hand controls, left-foot accelerators, lifts and mobility seating can transform your personal vehicle into a vehicle that give you more freedom.

Mobility equipment dealers strive to remain at the forefront of the vehicle modification industry by providing cutting-edge technology and a full selection of adaptable equipment for your pre-owned vehicle.


Hand Controls For Stroke Survivors with Limited Use of their Feet

Automotive Innovations is New England’s  #1 hand control installation facility  manufacturer of hand controls and driving aids for the disabled. Hand control systems are specifically designed to give drivers the benefit of controlling a vehicle with both hands on the wheel making for a safer, smoother driving experience.

Unlike other manual and or servo hand control installers in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, we have the ability to offer a custom fitment to your vehicle and you, for everything from a Fiat 500 to a Lamborghini Aventador no one else has the master craftsman, machining equipment and facility capable of performing a custom installation the way we can.

Push Rock hand controls have a handle in a vertical position; accelerating by rocking back in an arching motion using the fingers and/or the palm. There are several additional options to choose from:

  • Spinner knob: Attached to the steering wheel to allow controlled steering with use of one hand.
  • Single Pin: As an alternative to the spinner knob, this hand control was designed for clients that cannot open their hand fully.
  • Tri Pin: Great for an independent driver. It requires minimal gripping strength and/or reduced wrist stability.
  • V-Grip: This attachment is intended for drivers with moderate gripping strength.
  • Steering Wheel Extension: This device is individually customizable, so you can pick a diameter and height that best suits your needs. The easily removable device is completely compatible with any OEM steering wheel.

Servo electronic mobility controls offers driving control products that are safe and provide piece of mind every time you are on the road.

  • Lever:  A gas/brake input with adjustable levels of force and travel from the full gas to the full brake position.
    • It is designed for customers that have a wider range of motion and a larger effort level.
  • One handed steering and gas brake:  A input that you can steer that is available in a two-axis configuration for gas/brake and steering It has a adjustable range of motion and very low levels  of force to operate.
    • It is designed and custom build for each customers specific range of motion and abilities.
  • Wheel:  A steering input that can be adjusted to less than 2 oz of force at the proper orthotic position of 3 3/8” from center.
    • It is also able to be adaptable for customers that have a wider range of motion.

Left-foot Accelerator

Automotive Innovations’ offers the best left foot gas pedals with unmatched installations.  Left-foot accelerators are designed to offer a left foot gas pedal which acts exactly like your vehicle’s existing gas pedal. Our Left foot gas pedals are removable with features like a quick-release base so the entire assembly can be removed and re-installed quickly and easily.

 

Lifts for Stroke Survivors that use Wheelchairs or Walkers
Automotive Innovations can offer more solutions for the transportation of your mobility device than any other dealership in New England.

“Its worth the drive, I live in the western part of Massachusetts and will never trust my van with anyone other than Automotive Innovations. They have been taking care of me and my vans since 1996. When a company comes through for you time and time again whats that worth? For me it’s priceless and the drive is irrelevant.”
– Chris P Whately, MA

  • Scooter & Wheelchair Lifts while not always practical they do work in all types of vehicles. These fold-down wheelchair and scooter lifts make lifting and storing your manual folding wheelchair or scooter possible.


Mobility Seating

The mobility transfer seat is an innovative system for lower vehicles which can provide easer  access to an automotive seat. The seat power rotates out over the doorsill, bridging the gap for a safe transfer onto the seat. These seats are not always practical for every type of vehicle

Our goal is to match your lifestyle and your vehicle with equipment that will deliver independence.


Finding a Dealer That’s Up to Standards

Hand controls, left-foot accelerator, lifts and mobility seating offers opportunities for the stroke survivor to regain their mobility freedom in their pre-owned vehicle. You have just found the best mobility dealer in all of New England that offers a ever evolving selection of adaptable equipment.

It is important to select a reputable dealer to provide the adaptable equipment and installation for your pre-owned vehicle.

  1. Are they members of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) or another organization that has vehicle conversion standards?
  2. Are they Quality Assurance Program (QAP) certified?
  3. Do they provide ongoing service and maintenance?
  4. Do they provide 24/7 emergency service?
  5. Do they provide training on the adaptable equipment?
  6. Can the equipment be transferred to a new vehicle in the future?

Adaptive Driving for Persons with Physical Limitations: Adaptive Driving Aids/Modifications

With the use of appropriate adaptive aids an individual with most types of physical disability can continue to drive safely. A variety of devices are available to meet the individual driver’s needs and preferences. The following is a list of the more common modifications available. They should be tried in an actual driving situation before making a final decision. (For liability issues work with a certified adaptive driving specialist).

Automatic transmission: replaces clutch and manual shift

Power Steering: permits one-hand steering wheel operation

Power Brakes: needed for hand controls and other adaptive aids

Steering Devices: spinner knob, amputee ring, quad fork, tri pin, or custom device

Floor Mounted Steering: floor steering wheel for foot control

Modified Effort Steering: reduces strength needed to operate power steering or brake to accommodate low strength and/or endurance.

Left Foot Accelerator: eliminates left leg cross-over

Foot Pedal Extensions: raises height of brake and accelerator

Hand Controls: control operates brake/accelerator with single lever and activates secondary controls (horn, wipers, turn signals, etc.) *temporary or mounted hand controls are not recommended by Veterans Administration
Electric Gear Selector: permits left hand operation
Right Hand Turn Signal: permits right hand operation without cross-over
Remote Switches: reposition or build up secondary controls (horn, wipers, turn signals, etc.) to accommodate driver’s specific disability
Seat Belts: shoulder and lap belt adjustments may be needed
Power Seats: eases access for transferring to a regular captain’s seat
Custom Seats: creates balance, positioning, and stability
Lifts and Ramps: permits access into and out of vehicle
Wheelchair/Scooter Lifts: assists in lifting wheelchairs and scooters in and out of vehicle
Wheelchair Carriers: permits carrying of wheelchair outside of vehicle