While our all-terrain mobility scooters are great for getting people out and about for shorter distances, being able to drive when you have a disability also makes a huge difference in your life.
Having a disability or a specific medical condition, however, can make it more difficult to drive than usual. Fortunately, there are now a number of ways your vehicle can be adapted to make driving simpler and more comfortable for you. Your local Mobility Centre should be able to help you to decide on some adaptations that are right for you. Among the range of equipment available which can help include car key holders, swivel seats to help get you in and out of the car, and hoists to lift both you and your wheelchair into the car. Modifications may also be made to car doors and seats in some cases.
Independent charity Motability also help in providing suitable vehicles for those with a disability. Using the mobility component of the Disability Living Allowance, the enhanced mobility component of the Personal Independence Payment, or the War Pensioners’ Mobility Supplement, you can hire a suitable car for an affordable price. VAT may also be levied on the cost of leasing and adapting it.
Alternatively, upgrading your car to a newer model may help. Newer cars often come with a number of extra features to improve safety, such as anti-lock braking and power steering. There may even be the option to tailor the power steering to suit a person’s strength. Many models also feature parking sensors which will help you to park more easily without worrying so much about the size of the car. You may also find an automatic model easier to use than a manual if you have previously had trouble shifting the gearstick.
Image: Tdmalone, available under Creative Commons
