Category Archives: Ramps and lifts

Ramp and lift controls for wheelchair van and vehicle users in New England, Boston MA

Adapted Snowmobiling

If you have limited mobility due to a disAbility, you may think riding a snowmobile is simply out of the question. As the leader in mobility features and transportation for people with disAbilities, Automotive Innovations takes that as a challenge.

Jim’s passion for snowmobiles is unwavering and he has worked on wheelchair accessible vehicles for more than 28 years.

If you’re a daredevil at heart, like Jim, and want an exciting way to get around this winter, see if he can up fit a Snowmobile just for you. If you are no longer able to ride a standard snowmobile but are not ready to give up the thrill of the ride, contact Automotive Innovations and find out how Jim Sanders and the mobility experts at Automotive Innovations will change your life!

Winter Vehicle Safety Checklist

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With the winter months here, it’s important to make sure your adaptive vehicle is in good shape to maximize protection and prevent breakdowns brought on by cold weather conditions. Here are some key items we recommend having checked on your wheelchair accessible vehicle to keep it running at its best and avoid the inconvenience of being stranded outside and emergency repairs.

Get Your Battery Tested
Cold weather can dramatically reduce the strength of your mobility vehicle’s battery. It’s important to have your battery tested to insure it’s fully charged. This is especially true if your battery is over two years old. And don’t forget to have your battery cables, posts and fasteners inspected. The cables should be in good shape and firmly connected to the battery.

Replace Your Wiper Blades
It’s recommended you replace your windshield wiper blades every six months. Ice and snow can be rough on the soft rubber, so we suggest replacing them with a heavier winter blade. Windshields get dirty quickly in the winter months from the sand, salt and spray off the road, so refill your washer fluid often for optimum visibility. Use a 50/50 mix of washer and water.

Check Your Tires
Make sure all of your tires including the spare are in good condition. Take a good look at the tread and consider replacing or rotating your tires if they are starting to wear out. Also check your tire pressure regularly. Cold weather causes tire pressure to drop and may result in the sensors indicating an unsafe driving pressure. Proper tire inflation makes for safer driving and better gas mileage.

Check Hoses, Clamps and Drive Belts
A belt or hose failure can cause serious engine, steering and electrical problems. Have your hoses checked for leaks or soft spots especially around the clamps. The thermal fluctuation between hot and cold can be even more severe in winter than summer months. Flush and refill your cooling system with a 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water. It’s also a good idea to make sure the heater and defroster are in good working condition.

Make Sure Your Mobility System Is Operating
Your conversion equipment is exposed to the elements as you enter and exit your handicap accessible vehicle and winter weather can compound those effects. Make sure your lift or ramp are lubricated and adjusted properly. Check the doors, mechanisms and ramp assembly for corrosion and rust. Snow, salt, sand and ice can easily cause problems.

Something to remember no matter what time of year is that having your oil changed regularly is probably the most important thing you can do to extend the life of your vehicle and keep it running properly.

Aging and Driving

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As we all age, changes occur in physical functioning, vision, perception, and processing abilities that could make driving unsafe. While changes are inevitable, they occur at different rates in each individual, and age alone is not a good indicator of driving skills. Most often these changes occur slowly over a long period of time, and the individual is able to compensate for minor deficits. If several skill areas are affected, or there is a sudden change in abilities due to illness or disease, driving may become impaired. An evaluation is recommended if you, or those who drive with you, notice any of the following warning signs.

Warning Signs:

Doesn’t observe signs, signals, or other traffic
Needs help or instructions from passengers
Slow or poor decisions
Easily frustrated or confused
Frequently gets lost, even in familiar areas
Inappropriate driving speeds (too fast or too slow)
Poor road position, or wide turns
Accidents or near misses

A driver rehabilitation specialist can provide a comprehensive evaluation and make recommendations regarding driving.

This assessment should include:

A review of medical history and medications
Functional ability
Vision
Perception
Reaction time
Behind-the-wheel evaluation

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

Holiday Travel Tips

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Millions of people will take to the highways, skies, or rails to visit their loved ones over the upcoming holiday. With snow and sleet predicted for many parts of the country this weekend, here are some travel tips to help holiday travelers arrive safely at their destination:

Driving

Make sure your vehicle is in good working order. Fill your gas tank, check the air pressure in your tires and make sure you have windshield fluid.
Buckle up, slow down, don’t drink and drive.
Avoid distractions such as cell phones – don’t text and drive.
Make frequent stops on long trips. If you’re too tired to drive, stop and rest.
If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible.

Flying and Riding Trains

It’s flu season. If you’ve been sick or been in contact with someone who is sick, consider postponing your trip. You could be contagious for a week before symptoms appear.
Remember that everything you touch has to be touched by someone else – luggage handlers, etc. Handle your own belongings as much as possible. Wash your hands often with soap and water.
Carry hand sanitizer and anti-bacterial wipes with you. You can use them to wash your hands or wipe down surfaces such as armrests.
Bring your own pillows and blankets – they can act as a shield against the seat itself.
Avoid touching your face or eyes. If you have to cough or sneeze, do so into a tissue or your sleeve.

Travel Tips

If you have diabetes or take medication using a syringe, get a signed letter from your doctor explaining that your syringes are a medical necessity.
Know the generic names of your medications so you can replace them if they are lost or stolen. Your medication will have a different brand name in another country.
If you have any life-threatening allergies, wear a medical alert bracelet and bring an Epi-pen kit.
Travel light. Take only what you need and no more.
Make sure your children know their home address and telephone number. Show them where to go if you get separated, and review the procedure for dealing with strangers.
Leave the jewelry at home and reduce your risk of getting robbed. The same goes for expensive electronics such as iPods and digital cameras. Buy some disposable cameras to use.
Make photocopies of your passports, credit cards and other ID. Leave one copy with a relative at home, and keep another copy separate from your originals.
Travel with only one credit card. Bring a combination of traveller’s cheques and cash in small bills (American money is universally accepted). You should be able to use your debit card as long as the machine has the CIRRUS symbol. You will be charged for each transaction. Try to familiarize yourself with the local currency so your first transaction won’t be so confusing.
Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses as backup. You don’t want your vacation ruined because you can’t see anything.

Be Prepared For Natural Disasters

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Natural disasters can take place at any moment and can come in any form from floods, severe weather, earthquakes and more, yielding unfortunate outcomes without warning. Being prepared can save lives and planning is important; know who will help you if you need assistance or if you need to evacuate.

Be Informed
Ensure you have the proper equipment to stay up-to-the-minute on breaking news and changing weather patterns. You may need a radio for this, specifically one that runs on batteries so be sure you have extras. Know when, where and what local branches of organizations like American Red Cross, have planned in your specific location, and find out how they can help. Also, ensure you can maintain contact with those outside of your home, having a phone car charger and jumper cables could be essential.

Make a Plan
For people with mobility challenges, assistance can be crucial.

If are a caregiver, or if you have assembled a “Help Team” to assist a person in need:

Be helpful in letting others know exactly what you need and when you need it.
Contact family, friends, neighbors or social service agencies if and when possible.
Try to have someone available who can lift and carry heavy objects such as wheelchairs or other medical equipment.
Give at least one other person a key to the person’s home.
Each team member should have the contact information for the others.
Name a substitute caregiver in case the original is unavailable.

Develop an evacuation strategy with your “Disaster Team,” and consider the following:

Where are the closest special needs emergency shelters and what are the different routes you can take to reach them?
What supplies must you take with you that are used every day?
Whom should you inform that you are evacuating?
How much gas do you have and how much will much will you need? Be sure to keep your vehicle’s gas tank over 1/2 full at all times.

Make a Kit
Assemble your kit well in advance with the help of a list and be sure to include:

Water – Keep one gallon of water per person (and per pet) per day for at least three days. Make sure you replace the water every six months.
Food – Keep at least a 3-day stock of non-perishable food that requires little cooking and no refrigeration in a safe place. Include a manual can opener and eating utensils.

For those with mobility disAbilities:

Pair of heavy gloves to use while wheeling or making your way over glass and debris
Extra battery for your motorized wheelchair or scooter
Jumper cables or specific recharging device to be connected to an automobile’s cigarette lighter
Patch kit or can of “seal-in-air product” to repair flat tires
Spare cane or walker
Food, medicine, favorite toy, and other care items for your service animal
Plastic bags, disposable gloves, and other items for the animal’s care

Find out if you qualify for assistance and fill out a form in advance to ensure your safety should the need arise. And be aware of FEMA resources in your area, including their capabilities and the best way to reach them.