Caregiver Spotlight: Are Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles THAT Great?

As a caregiver, you’ve spent countless hours both stowing and retrieving mobility equipment from your vehicle. You’ve also performed hundreds, if not thousands, of transfers. But one day, let’s say that you help a wheelchair user transfer into a vehicle, and hurt your back in the process. At first, you think it isn’t a big deal. However, after constantly repeating this process, your injury only gets worse. What now?

Unfortunately, we hear stories like this all the time. When assisting people with disabilities, you can’t forget to pay attention to your own health and safety. After all, if you injure yourself, you can’t help anybody. So let’s put a stop to this mess before it even begins. A Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV) makes it easier to be a better caregiver, and can certainly save you from hurting yourself. It goes without saying that life would also become less stressful for the wheelchair users in your life. So secure your wheelchairs, put on your seatbelts, and grab some snacks for the road! We’re about to take a trip down Caregiver Lane.

I know exactly what you’re thinking: “Where do I begin?” Though most people are only worried about their vehicle’s color or the size of its engine, you have a lot more to think about. Creating an action plan is a great way to ease some of your stress, while saving you a lot of time and money. While our WAV specialists can help you create a more detailed list, you can start by asking yourself a few important questions, including:

• Is the inside of the vehicle tall enough for a wheelchair user?
• Are both the ramp and door wide enough?
• How and where should you secure the wheelchair?

This process can seem very stressful, especially for new wheelchair users. The reality is that life doesn’t stop just because you have a disability. If you insist on doing all of the research and finding a vehicle on your own, it’s likely that you could make a costly mistake. If you are a wheelchair user, you know how important tiny details can be. For example, if you have to park your vehicle in a garage, you have to purchase a WAV that will fit in that space. A good dealer will work with you, and point out some things that you should consider before making any decisions. They’ll help you cover every detail, and may ask questions like:

• Do you need to park your WAV in a garage?
• Is there enough space to load and unload your wheelchair?
• Can you fasten your wheelchair on your own, or do you need assistance?
• Can you transfer into another seat within your vehicle?

Each caregiver and wheelchair user has a unique set of challenges, which is why it’s important that you receive individualized service. Remember that your vehicle is made to specifically work for you. Because of this, there’s a good chance that your WAV will have different features than others you’ve checked out. While it might be difficult to picture the final product, try and keep an open mind about the modifications that you may require. During the process, you can absolutely make suggestions and ask for clarification about anything.

We know that your life as a caregiver is extremely busy. If you want to check out a vehicle in person, but don’t have the time to visit our Largo facility, our team can even bring it to you. Our goal is to provide caregivers and wheelchair users with a hassle-free experience, which is why we also have a large inventory. On the off chance that we don’t have your dream vehicle in stock, we can specifically order it for you. We can even modify commercial WAVs, which are specifically designed for drivers that work in the ridesharing industry. Click here if you’d like to learn more about commercial WAV options.

Lastly, as a caregiver, you know that independence is extremely important for people with disabilities. If your client, son, or daughter is interested in learning to drive, Grace Adaptive Driving can train them. Since adaptive controls have a bit of a learning curve, these professionals can teach individuals with disabilities to drive on their own, and become that much more independent. For more information about Grace Adaptive Driving, click here.

Whether you have a disability or not, transportation is an important part of everybody’s lives. While it might seem overwhelming to research WAVs, the payoff will be well worth it in the end. Having more control over your transportation will help you to be a better caregiver, and help your clients to live happier and healthier lives. And who wouldn’t want that?

Authors

Kyle Romano

Mary Carol Peterson

Edited by:

Kyle Romano

How-To Guide: Affordable Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles

Purchasing a new vehicle is a big commitment. While many people expect to pay a lot for Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAV’s), there are a number of reliable and affordable options that may be available to you. We provide a lot of useful information in this article, so feel free to jump to any section that is most useful to you.

Why Should You Own Your Own WAV?

1. They reduce your chances of getting injured. To get a wheelchair in and out of your vehicle, you would have to lift it multiple times a day. Heavy lifting can be very dangerous because you are at risk of injuring important parts of your body, like your back and your neck.
2. With a wheelchair accessible vehicle, it’ll be much easier to get around on your own. As a result, you’ll be much more independent. Better access to your community will let you have much more fun, and will allow you to spend more time with friends and family.

The Basics

Wheelchair accessible vehicles don’t have to be intimidating! To help you along the way, let’s go over some important details:

• “Chassis” is a word that we use to describe the vehicle, itself. It’s important to note that vehicle chassis are taxed by the state.
• If you hear us use the term “conversion,” we are referring to any modifications that have been made to the vehicle. If your doctor provides a Letter of Medical Necessity, your conversion will not be taxed by the state, and will officially be considered a piece of “medical equipment.”
• There are two types of ramp conversions: side entry and rear entry. How do you figure out which kind is best for you?
• For more information, visit our showroom and check our vast inventory of WAVs in person. You can either stop in to speak with one of our experienced WAV specialists, or call us at (800)622-5151.
• Can’t come in? No problem! Click here to check out an Accessible Living article, which goes over everything in greater detail.

Let’s Talk Money

While there are grants to help you out, 95% of them will only pay for your vehicle’s conversion. What does that mean for you? While these grants pay for the part of your vehicle that has been modified, they don’t cover the cost of the vehicle, itself. This is actually great news, because it means that you may be able to buy a WAV for just the price of the vehicle! In fact, you might be able to purchase your WAV for half of its normal price. From finding the right vehicle, to determining the best configuration, to helping with your funding needs, our team of WAV experts can help you through the entire process!

Here are some affordable options:  

• Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles
• Purchasing a certified pre-owned vehicle is a smart way to get more for your money. This point remains true for all vehicles, including those that are wheelchair accessible! Our on-site inventory is huge, featuring a large number of pre-owned accessible vehicles. Most of our pre-owned WAVs have low mileage and are priced to sell. This means that our prices include the cost of each vehicle’s conversion, allowing us to be up-front and save you time.
• Trade-ins
• We take all types of trades, including vehicles that are not wheelchair accessible. Your trade-in value is calculated into the bottom-line price, which decreases your payments and taxes.
• Finance Options
• Our accessible vehicle specialists will find you the best interest rates, terms, finance options, and lease options. We’ll give you all the information you’ll need to make an informed decision, and support you through the entire process.
• New Vehicle Funding
• If you’re a Med Waiver recipient, you might qualify for a van conversion through the Med Waiver Program. This resource can cut the cost of a rear-entry minivan by up to 50%! As a Braunability dealer, we can provide information about a variety of grants and funding opportunities that are available to you. Click here to learn more.

Nationwide Funding

When it comes to funding for mobility equipment, some national foundations offer a wide range of financial assistance. Click here to learn more about them.

Regardless of your disability or location, these programs help a wide range of people. Some programs may cover the total cost of your mobility equipment, while others offer smaller grants. Either way, both options are great resources for you.

State Funding

While grants and funding programs are a great resource, it’s important to remember that they vary by state. Additionally, each one usually caters to individuals who have specific disabilities. Some states have a form of government assistance, called Vocational Rehabilitation. These services help people with disabilities find and maintain jobs. They are a very important resource, because they will help pay for mobility equipment that you need to work, and will make sure that everything at your job is accessible for you. Other states have additional programs related to financial assistance. These resources cover the cost of mobility equipment for individuals who have been injured, as the result of a vehicle accident. Click here to find out what your state offers.

Veteran Programs

If you are a veteran with a disability, there are a number of resources that can offer financial assistance for purchasing a WAV. For additional information, please contact your local Veterans Administration (VA), or work with your local dealer to receive your benefits. Click here to learn more about these programs, which are available to our disabled veterans.

Funding For Nonprofits

It can be a challenge for nonprofit organizations to transport people with disabilities. If your nonprofit needs wheelchair accessible transportation for either children or adults, there are a few organizations that provide financial support. Click here to learn more about the resources available to nonprofits.

Crowdfunding 

Even though it’s non-traditional, crowdfunding allows the community to show support for the needs of people with disabilities. This approach has helped a number of wheelchair users raise the necessary funds to purchase their WAVs. Click here to learn more about crowdfunding campaigns.

Automotive Discounts

When purchasing a WAV, most automotive manufacturers offer rebates or incentives. While these discounts will help with the cost of your vehicle, they may also reduce the cost of important equipment, including hand controls, transfer seats, wheelchair securement systems, and more. Click here to learn more about discounts for wheelchair accessible vehicles.

For now, that’s all the information we can report on! If new resources become available, we will be sure to keep you updated. Hopefully, this article helped to settle some of your nerves, and showed you that it’s definitely possible to own your own wheelchair accessible vehicle. There are a number of financial resources available to you, designed to assist with the purchase of the WAV that’s perfect for you. Whether you need a wheelchair or wheelchair accessible vehicle, our team is dedicated to helping you find the best mobility solution. You can count on us to help you maximize your potential, which means living a happy, healthy, and independent life.

Authors:

Mary Carol Peterson

Scott Yarosz

Edited by:

Kyle Romano

What Is An Accessible Vehicle?

Before I even had the desire to drive, my family had a van with a lift. Because of my experiences, I just assumed that I'd always need a chauffeur. After all, how could somebody reach the petals, if they didn't have legs? Whenever I would attend school or physical therapy, all of the other kids would arrive in either buses, or vans that were similar to my own. That's just how things were, and I didn't pay much attention to the idea.

As I reached the age of sixteen, like every other teenager, I started to foster a desire to drive. As a quad-amputee, that entire process would become very complicated, very quickly. I had briefly heard about adaptive driving devices, but had never seen any. Before I graduated high school, I began to work with a counselor from Vocational Rehabilitation. A few years, and a couple counselors later, I was finally approved for driver's training; however, to complete it, I needed my own vehicle.

In a number of these blog posts, I've stated that I'm very happy to live in this day and age. With the advancement of technology, has come increased opportunities and access for people with disabilities. When speaking about mobility vehicles, the availability of reliable solutions has drastically increased. With that, the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) stepped in to ensure and certify the quality of mobility vehicles. This approach prevents people from purchasing vehicles with sub-par conversions, and includes warranties that exist alongside manufacturer warranties. As an extension, twenty-four hour, emergency service is also provided.

Now, to the big question: with all of the available options, how do you decide which mobility vehicle will suit your needs? Firstly, anybody in the market for a mobility vehicle should only purchase from an NMEDA certified dealer. Though the first mobility vehicles were vans and mini-vans, trucks and SUV's can now be converted into mobility vehicles.

There are now a number of mobility vehicles to choose from. How do you know which one is the best for you? Many factors of daily living will impact your decision, including: the ages of you and your family, the height and size of wheel chairs and their users, the average amount of passengers and cargo, and the most frequent parking situation for you, including home parking and garage layout.

These considerations will further impact the type of modification that your vehicle needs, which include either side- or rear-entry. One choice is not better than the other; however, your lifestyle will impact the choice that you make. Side-entry vans will grant the wheel chair user access to the middle and front of the vehicle, meaning that they can either ride in the passenger position, or possibly drive the vehicle, themselves. This conversion isn't recommended for individuals who do not have adequate room to load and unload from the side of their vehicle. Rear-entry entry grants the wheel chair user access to the rear and middle of the vehicle, but won't allow the user to ride in either the driver or passenger positions. This conversion is typically recommended for wheel chair users who will not be positioned in the front of the vehicle, and for people who have limited room from loading and unloading from the vehicle.

Additionally, assistive driving devices are available for individuals who experience physical limitations, preventing them from driving a vehicle in a conventional fashion.

Check our inventory for more information about the accessible vehicles that are available for purchase.

Click here to check out Braun Ability's top ten considerations for buying a mobility vehicle.

Author:
Kyle Romano

Staying On Budget And Finding Affordable Options For Accessible Vehicles

Whether you are a parent of a special needs’ child, or an adult with changing abilities, our needs constantly vary. Since this process can be difficult and scary, we’re here to offer you some guidance. Purchasing your first, accessible vehicle may be intimidating; however, it doesn’t have to be! The following tips are designed to steer you through this process, no pun intended.

The first and most important step, is to find an accessible vehicle consultant or specialist. This person will guide you through the entire process, and help you figure out your best options. Depending on your stage of life, and the age of your children, you may have specific needs. The right choice should be cost-effective at the present, and continue to save you money in the future. This step might seem daunting, but finding the right vehicle is more affordable than you think.

Transportation Considerations For Parents

As a parent of a child with special needs, finding a transportation solution can be one of the most polarizing problems. As your child grows and his/her world expands, there are four, primary life stages to plan for. When shopping for the right vehicle, always think about the future. When your child is young, he/she will grow, eventually needing a larger and heavier wheelchair. Naturally, this means that he/she will need more space. To ensure that you get the most out of your investment, it’s key to limit the number of tweaks to any, adaptive equipment. This foresight will save you time and money. By planning, your consultant can often skip some steps. This step is so important because it will ultimately save you money.

As their children grow, most people follow this path of vehicle ownership:

• Young Child: Car or SUV
• Child: Large SUV or Minivan (unmodified)
• Pre-teen: Van with Hitch or Turney seat
• Teen/Young Adult: Accessible Van with a built-in ramp

Young Childhood

Since young children are small, people often continue to use their original vehicles. As they grow, a large percentage of children with disabilities will likely use custom wheelchairs. Whether they use power or manual wheelchairs, these devices require more space. Additionally, these wheelchairs may have adaptive features, which are needed for optimum seating and positioning. If that’s the case, these wheelchairs will be larger in size.

Your child’s therapists’ may also recommend special, adaptive walkers, and/or bath chairs. Due to health-related needs, this equipment will need to accompany your child on vacations and family trips. Finding space for, and transporting this equipment, can be tricky. It can be especially challenging if there are other children in your family; however, before jumping to a larger vehicle, consider the next stages of your child’s life. Some vehicles can be adapted as your child grows, whereas some can’t. For this reason, it’s extremely important to work with an accessible vehicle consultant or specialist. That way, you can make an educated decision, regarding your current and future needs.

Childhood

A growing child takes up an increasing amount of space, and may require a minivan or large SUV to accommodate their changing needs. The medical equipment your child needs may become larger and heavier. Most parents will have the body strength and flexibility to transport this equipment without modifying their vehicle with special hitch, ramp, or lift; however, you’ll want to pause and think about this decision.

Now, your child’s world is expanding with school, after-school activities, play dates, and other, fun outings! You are both getting older. With increased age, comes the risk of back injury and other, overuse syndromes. These maladies could be hazardous to your health, and could even affect your family’s wellbeing. Positive attitudes in the home environment cannot be overstated, which requires everybody remain healthy!

Consider the number of times per day that you will be lifting and bending to assist your child. How many times per week? In addition to lifting your child in and out of the vehicle, by transporting his/her custom manual wheelchair, you put excess strain on your body. What does this mean? Each time that you and your child get in and out of the vehicle, you may have to disassemble or assemble the wheelchair. If a clinician deems that your child is most-suited for a power wheelchair, then a built-in ramp would make it easier to load and unload from your vehicle. These ramps, or even lifts, are among the most popular choices of mobility transportation. Again, it is important to explore your options with an accessible vehicle specialist.

Pre-teen years

During this age, most parents will either add a power lift or built-in ramp to their vehicle. At this point, your child’s equipment will too cumbersome and heavy to lift; therefore, you will run a higher risk of sustaining injury. If you have already purchased a van or SUV, and it can’t be modified, a replacement vehicle will be your only option. Again, planning ahead can help determine the best time to make such a purchase, which will best-fit your current and future budget. Ensuring that you get the most out of your investment is key. By limiting the number of necessary tweaks, you’ll ultimately save more time and money.

Teen/Young Adult Years

Since your child is nearing adulthood, most families consider purchasing a van with a built-in ramp. This option allows for easy on and off loading.

Other Things To Consider:

If You Are Looking To Upgrade Your Ride For Yourself Or A Family Member

Since their humble beginnings, wheelchair accessible vehicles have come a long way. Technology is constantly improving, and accessible vehicles are no exception. For individuals and families living with disabilities, they have quickly become powerful and reliable pieces of equipment. Having access to your community is so important for maintaining independence and a high quality-of-life.

Key things to remember when it’s time to shop:

1. Your Family’s Size

When shopping for a new or used accessible vehicle, one of the most important factors to consider is the overall size of your family. For example, a larger family of five or more children, would need a lot of space. So much, in fact, that they would require a full-size van. The smaller your family, the more likely you are to consider an adapted minivan. Do not forget to compensate for extra guests, caretakers, or friends you may need to accommodate.

2. Your Or Loved One’s Health Condition
Barring the size of the wheelchair, you’ll also need to consider health conditions. Depending on the severity, certain health equipment may always need to travel with you. A rear-entry vehicle may make it easier to load and unload equipment. Compared to side-entry vans, rear-entry removes the need to maneuver wheelchairs and other equipment. With these vehicles, everything rolls into position from the back of the van.

Aside from wheelchair size and additional equipment, knowing your family size and daily lifestyle can affect your choice of vehicle.

If you or a family member use a powered scooter for mobility, there are many lift options that can be added to your vehicle. While in the community or on vacation, these lifts can help you maintain your active lifestyle!

If it is difficult to enter or exit either the driver’s or passenger’s seat, there are adaptive vehicle seats. These chairs swivel and lower for easy and safe transfers in and out of your vehicle, for you or your loved one, too!

3. Finding the right accessible vehicle consultant

Today, accessible vehicles have a number of options. Custom Mobility is a NMEDA Quality Assurance Program dealer. Dealers like us can help answer your questions and confirm you are getting the best solution for your family. Custom Mobility has dedicated and experienced, accessible vehicle specialists. They are always happy to answer your questions, and guide you through the decision process.

The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is an advocate for mobility and accessibility for drivers with disabilities.

Finding and buying a wheelchair-accessible vehicle can’t be rushed. This purchase can potentially redefine your daily experiences, your health, your child’s independence, and the lives of those around you. For these reasons, it’s critical to learn the right, and best, way to shop for a mobility vehicle.

Take this short quiz from BraunAbility to narrow down this process!

At Custom Mobility, we are more than happy to find the perfect vehicle for you.

Author:
Mary Carol Peterson

From Wheelchair To Accessible Vehicle

At Custom Mobility, we serve a diverse population of wheelchair users. A large portion of our customers are from the pediatric side. It is common for us to provide a person with her/his first wheelchair, and to continue serving that client for her/his entire life. So, how does this process start, and where does it end? At what point, during this process, should you consider an accessible vehicle? The easy answer to these questions, is that it’s different for every person.

When I was three years old, Custom Mobility put me in my first, power wheelchair. That was twenty-seven years ago. Since then, our company has garnered a great deal of understanding about wheelchair fittings and positionings. When fitting somebody for a wheelchair, whether she/he is a new or returning client, or whether she/he is seeking a power or manual chair, everything begins with an evaluation. At this stage, either a Physical or Occupational Therapist, and a member of our sales team, meet to determine the needs of the wheelchair user. A physician must then write a prescription for the necessary equipment, which is submitted to funding sources, such as insurance companies, Medicaid, and/or Medicare. They either issue an approval or denial, based on their own criteria, justifying the cost of the equipment as “medically necessary” to the individual.

Once an individual is properly seated in a wheelchair, life begins to change. Family members and friends must adjust to a new lifestyle. Wheelchairs present many opportunities to new users, including an increased ability to explore the world, as well as positive health benefits; however, if you don’t have an accessible vehicle, many obstacles will begin to pop up. How will you get your son to a doctor’s appointment? How will you take your daughter to school? How will you take your children to social events? It’ll either be difficult or impossible to accomplish these tasks, without access to an accessible vehicle.

Since it can be cumbersome to receive funding for a wheelchair, most people assume that they can’t afford an accessible vehicle, and give up before starting to explore their options. When purchasing an accessible vehicle, there are a few ways to reduce its cost. Firstly, pre-owned, accessible vehicles are available. The price is significantly lower, than if you were to purchase it, outright. Manual entries present low-cost options. While these vehicles require a person to manually open the accessible door, and physically unfold the ramp, the cost is significantly lower.

Accessible vehicles become necessary because, over time, wheelchair users grow. As the person grows, there are significant concerns, regarding the health and safety of caregivers and parents. The heavier an individual gets, the more difficult it gets to perform a safe transfer from wheelchair-to-vehicle. It becomes significantly more likely for the parent or caregiver to sustain a transfer-related injury. Once this happens, the wheelchair user is less likely leave the house on a regular basis, which can lead to a sedentary lifestyle for both the wheelchair user and family/caregiver(s).

Author:
Kyle Romano

Driving With A Disability

The front doorbell rings, and I already know who's there. I rush to answer it. In my haste, my arm slips on the dark surface of my wheelchair's joystick and - WHACK! Before I can slow down, the wheelchair's seat smacks into the door.

"One second!" I yell at the surface of the whitewashed wood. Leaning forward, I reach upward with my neck, and begin to turn the key with my chin. As the lock pops open, I use my left arm to turn the door handle, and open the portal to the outside world. Today, is the first day of the rest of my life, a new beginning, the day that I meet my destiny, or whichever cliché I should use. I take a breath, and say "Hi" to my driving instructor.

When we accomplish milestones, or have profound experiences, those memories usually latch themselves to our brains. We can remember exactly what we tasted, what we saw, what we smelled, what we felt. Every sensation is as clear as the moment that we experienced them. The short account above, shows how I felt, before driving for the first time.

I guess that most people start driving around the ages of fifteen or sixteen. Well, at least that's the way it works in Florida. Though most teenagers count down the days until they get their licenses, I didn't. All of my friends started to drive. Even my brother, who is a few years younger than I, bought his first car when he was sixteen. Here I was, at eighteen years old, without a car. And I didn't care.

Looking back, it bothers me that I was so apathetic about driving. As a quad-amputee, and as a power wheelchair user, I kind of assumed that I'd always need a chauffeur. I had never known another wheelchair user, who could drive a car. Even if I had, I couldn't wrap my mind around my own ability to drive. I'd ask myself: "How does a car work?" I figured: "With a steering wheel, a gas pedal, and a brake pedal." The next thought that jumped into my mind, was: "How am I supposed to use a steering wheel, a gas pedal, and a brake pedal, without hands or feet?" Judging by my peers, I should've been ecstatic about driving; instead, every time I thought about it, negative musings about my limitations would begin to creep into my mind. At first, it would leave me feeling depressed. Before long, I felt nothing.

At the end of my senior year in high school, that started to change. In preparation for college, I began meeting with Vocational Rehabilitation. That was the first time that I learned about electronic controls, and how they can be used to operate a vehicle. This moment was pivotal for me, because I started to get excited. Who cares that I was twenty-one, instead of sixteen. The cliché, "Better late than never," seemed apropo.

Before getting the opportunity to drive, I graduated high school. I started attending community college, and quickly realized how limited I was. Without a mode of independent transportation, I felt isolated. Firstly, I was a college student, who was driven to class by his mom. Secondly, college students often hang out after class, form after-hours study groups, and engage in other, school-related activities. The former, left me feeling too dependent and childish. The ladder, because my parents had work, and because my brother was still in high school, quickly became a logistical nightmare.

After an arduous process, everything finally started to work. I was approved for driver's training, did an initial assessment with a driving coach, and purchased a minivan. Upon the conclusion of some initial testing, my instructor ordered the appropriate devices, which were then installed in my vehicle. Before I could even get my license, I was required to complete about twenty to thirty hours of training. Though the devices were easy for me to use, they took a bit of time to get used to.

So, what does the vehicle actually look like? Well, I drive a 2016 Toyota Sienna, which has a Braun® conversion. With a power, foldout ramp, as well as dropped floor, I can independently enter and exit my vehicle. A back-up camera makes it easier to see behind my van, and prevents me from straining my neck.

Since I'm a quad-amputee, and my limbs are so short, I use an EZ Lock to secure my wheelchair. By grabbing a pin located on the undercarriage of my wheelchair, the EZ Lock will hold my chair in place. What's even better, is that it doesn't need to be fastened by straps or tie-downs, which means that I can do it, independently. To lock my chair, all I need to do is drive over the device, which will grab the pin. A button on the ceiling will release it.

After fastening my chair, I transfer onto a table. I walk on the transfer table and hop into the captain's chair. On its headrest, are three buttons. By pressing the ones on the left and right, the chair will turn around, and bring me closer to the driving controls.


To drive, I use a few products, made by a company called EMC. For gas and break, I have what's called an L-Series controller. Pushing the device forward, will give the vehicle gas, while pulling backward will apply the break. To steer, I have an X-Series controller. It will steer the vehicle either left or right, by pushing the joystick in the respective directions. The button in the center of the headrest, operates a device called a DigiTone. If the button is pressed and held, it will emit a series of eight notes, which are a musical octave. Each note corresponds to a specific function. For example, I use the DigiTone to use the following functions, in order: left turn signal, right turn signal, dimmer switch, horn, windshield wipers, etc. I also have a VIC, or Voice InterActive Controls, which will let me use my voice to utilize any of the aforementioned functions. I have it as a back-up, in case the DigiTone ever fails.

I've tried to be concise in conveying this information. The system that I use to drive is pretty complicated, so takes a bit of time to do so. While it's easy to be star-struck by all of the buttons, levers, and joysticks, there's an oversight that's easy to make. The fact that I can drive, at all, seems a miracle, in-and-of-itself. As I stated at the beginning of this post, I had always assumed that I couldn't.

Before we say goodbye, let's work through a few, key points. This equipment is expensive. In fact, it's very expensive. Unlike most, other products, Assistive Technology is considered to be medical-grade. In terms of quality, products must meet a number of different requirements, and/or have a variety of certifications, before they can be sold. It can be expensive for manufacturers to get these certifications. To make a long story short, this process drives up the cost for consumers.

Assistive Technology falls into an odd category, because it... well, assists people with disabilities. It helps us do things, or accomplish tasks, which would otherwise be impossible. Statistically speaking, people with disabilities are amongst the most impoverished people, in the world. Some of us need AT to lead happy, healthy, and productive lives; however, since it can be very expensive, how can many people with disabilities afford it? Assistive driving controls seem to be an extreme example, but are they, really? What's the alternative to driving? If you live in a city with a bad, public transit system, it means stagnating, remaining unproductive, being confined to your home.

For more information about BraunAbility® vehicles, which we have available for purchase, click here to take a look at our inventory.

For more information on Vocational Rehabilitation and their services, click here.

For more information regarding Electronic Mobility Controls, and their devices, click here.

Stock photo courtesy of BraunAbility®

Author:
Kyle Romano