Category Archives: information

Adaptive Equipment Solutions To Help Arthritic Drivers and Others

People with severe arthritis, people with Muscular Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy and others with disAbilities can drive again with the help of a mobility equipment expert. To find the specific product solution for your driving challenges, consult with a Physical or Occupational Therapist, Driver Rehabilitation Specialist and a Mobility dealer. Here are just a few adaptive mobility devices that they may recommend to keep you on the road.

If your hands are too weak to turn the steering wheel, there’s a solution:

Joystick Driving Systems allow one-hand operation of brake, accelerator and steering and only require ounces of pressure to use.

If you can’t reach controls on your dashboard or steering wheel, there’s a solution:

Remote Wiper, Horn, Dimmer Switch, Signals and Headlight Controls. This control relocates these functions to a more reachable location. The driver uses a switch with the hand, elbow, head or knee.

If you have leg spasms, there’s a solution:

Pedal Block (for gas and brake) guards against inadvertent engagement of gas or the brakes due to a spasm.

Questions To Ask Yourself When Searching For a Mobility Specialist Dealer

Leave a reply

Now that you have made the decision to purchase a wheelchair accessible vehicle, you need to shop around for the best provider. Many people turn to a mobility specialist dealer. Here are some considerations you may want to keep in mind when doing your research and shopping.

Stock
What vehicle brands does the dealer offer? Do they have a wide-range of vehicles for you to choose from? Do they provide both new and used choices? Do they convert other vehicles besides vans, like SUVs and trucks?

Range of Conversions
Does the company offer the ramp and product options that are specified to your needs? Do their vehicles provide the safety features and equipment you need?

Aesthetics
Which vehicle best fits your personality and will keep you happy in the long run?

Location
Is the dealer close to where you live?

Funds and Financing
Is purchasing from this provider beneficial to you in terms of cost? Do they provide a range of priced vehicles, or are all of their products around the same price?

Reviews
What have others said about this company? Are they a reputable dealer or have they had issues? Does the dealer provide feedback from previous customers or is it hard to find customer reviews?

On-Site Evaluations
In addition to the evaluation from a Certified Rehabilitation Specialist, will I receive another evaluation from the dealer? How will they know the equipment will fit properly? Will it be safe for me to drive?

Training
Once I have purchased my vehicle, how will I learn to use my new equipment? Will the dealer provide me training? Will they be available to address any questions I may have regarding the use of my equipment?

Customer Care
What does the company provide for you? Do they offer incentives like 24-hour local emergency service, warranties and/or trained Ability Specialists that can help you in your decision?

Dealers
Is the mobility specialist well informed and up-to-date on the technical skills necessary in today’s mobility market? Do they belong to the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association – the industry association for safe and reliable transportation options for people with disabilities?

Each of these factors are important to consider during the buying process.

Cold Weather Tips for Your Van

Leave a reply

Frigid temperatures not only slow us down, but can slow our van and accessible equipment. For example, if you use a hydraulic wheelchair lift, you may have noticed that the colder the weather, the slower the lift reacts. The cold thickens the fluid, making it move slower through hoses, valves and cylinders.

There’s not much you can do about that, but preparing other equipment for cold weather is important to help avoid accidents and breakdowns.

If you live in northern climates, get an oil change, tune-up, and/or semi-annual lift service and have any other accessible equipment checked before the temperature dips. A professional should also check the battery, antifreeze level, heater, brakes, defroster and thermostat.

Do It Yourself:

Purchase winter wiper blades that cut through snow and ice.
Keep the gas tank at least half full. It reduces condensation and makes your vehicle easier to start on cold mornings.
Buy tires that have MS, M+S, M/S or M&S on them, meaning they meet the Rubber Manufacturers Association guidelines and can bite through mud and snow.
For better traction and control, rotate tires so the best ones are in the front.
Get an electric engine block heater. It warms the engine so the motor can start. It connects to normal AC power overnight or before driving. In extremely cold climates, electrical outlets are sometimes found in public or private parking lots.

Cold weather is tough on accessible van batteries. Buy one with greater starting power, higher cold cranking amps and reserve capacity for energy when the engine isn’t running.
Use synthetic oil to make starting a cold engine easier.

Before you drive:

Keep rock salt on hand to melt ice off walkways for a safer wheelchair ride.
Clean the snow off the roof and hood so it doesn’t “avalanche” onto the windshield and block your vision.
Clear the head and tail lights for best visibility.
Scrape the ice off mirrors and windows.

Holiday Travel Safety Tips

Leave a reply

With Christmas and New Year’s swiftly approaching, multitudes of people will be traveling. AAA predicts 98.6 million Americans will travel this holiday season between December 23, 2014 and January 4, 2015. The organization also anticipates that 91% will travel by car, truck, or van, 6% will travel by air, and 3% will take a bus or train. All of this travel traffic can make it treacherous to get around if you are not paying attention.

In addition to the higher risk of traveling during the holidays with the extra people on the road, the weeks before can also be dangerous as many folks are out shopping and may be distracted as the frantically rush around searching for the perfect gifts.

Awareness of the days with the highest number of vehicles on the road and staying alert are extremely important strategies to staying safe while traveling. Other strategies for staying safe are:

Try to travel on days and at times that are not peak travel days and times. If most people will be traveling Wednesday through Sunday, try to travel Tuesday through Saturday. Strive to travel early in the day and at times when traffic volume is the lowest.
Plan your route around malls, big stores, airports, and major sporting venues to avoid the crowds and congestion.
Before a long drive, make sure you get plenty of sleep and have something to eat.
Take breaks every few hours, even if you’re not sleepy. Get out and walk around to stretch your legs. Play Frisbee or catch with the kids. Have a snack. It will keep you more alert.
Make sure your vehicle is in prime condition before the trip. Change the oil, if needed. Make sure the fluid levels and gas tank are full and that tires are properly inflated.
Share the driving. If you are alone, turn on the music and crack the window to help stay alert. You may want to use your foot on the gas pedal to control the speed and not the cruise control to keep yourself more vigilant.
Make sure everyone is buckled up.
Make sure the vehicle is stocked with a map or atlas, jumper cables, spare tire, wiper fluid, first aid kit, pillow, blanket, and snacks. Bringing snacks from home is usually healthier and cheaper than getting them from a vending machine.
If traveling with children, pack activities to entertain them such as movies, coloring books, toys, activity books, etc. Remember to stop for frequent breaks and to have some fun.
Start looking for a gas station when your gas gauge reads ¼ tank. Don’t wait until you are on empty to fill up. The next exit with a gas station may be quite a distance away.

How To Make Your Wheelchair Vehicle Ready To Sell or Trade

Leave a reply

If you’re trying to sell your wheelchair accessible vehicle by yourself, you should know the average mobility vehicle could take a few months to sell. The number of people with mobility challenges in one local area who are in the market to purchase can be very small. Add to that the specialized equipment on your van that a potential buyer may not want, and the weeks roll by (and you’re still making payments on the old van).

The quickest deal is at a local mobility dealership. Many buy and sell new and used vans nationwide and take trade-ins, buy outright or on consignment—whether it’s a non-converted vehicle or a converted van.

You want to get the best offer (or trade-in value), so before taking the family transportation to a dealership, have a friend help clean it up if it is too big of a task for you.

Look at the vehicle with fresh eyes—like a buyer would. Ask yourself, “Would I buy this vehicle?”

If something needs repairing, fix it. A small investment can add hundreds to the value.
Wash it, wax it or get it detailed for a shine, inside and out. Maybe you only need to wash it and perhaps buy new floor mats.
Write down vehicle information such as year, make, model, interior and exterior colors and mileage; VIN number; side or rear entry, configuration of the interior of the van; standard features; removable features and any other adaptive extras.
Double check safety features: Are the tie-downs still sturdy and clean? Does the lift or ramp still operate smoothly?
Consider replacing the tires if they are bald.
Take out all personal items you may want to keep.
Find the registration, warranty, owner’s manual, equipment manuals and repair receipts.
All controls should be clearly labeled—and work!

Now you’re ready to sell or trade-in for a newer model.