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Roll up, for all the fun
of the show!
Summer’s here, so it must be time again for that day in the sunshine (well, it shone for the past two years) at the Mobility Roadshow 2005, checking out all the latest
vehicles and equipment..
The day itself is, of course, far from relaxing – you could call it exhausting – as the crowds mill about, making for their allotted time on the test track to try the latest model from their favourite manufacturer, experience the thrill of a lap in a rally
car or just catch up on all the innovations the exhibitors hope will soon tempt you to reach for the plastic.
The organisers have tried to make this year’s event, again at Donington Park, even more interesting for visitors with a number of added attractions during the show, which runs from July 7-9, a couple of weeks later than usual.
There will also be visits from VIPs, including the Duke of Gloucester on the Friday and wheelchair athlete Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson presenting prizes to winners of the Ready, Willing and Mobile competition the previous day.
Visitors seeking the latest in adaptive technology and wheelchair accessible vehicles will be spoilt for choice at this year’s roadshow, say the organisers.
Around 40 of the 200 exhibitors will be demonstrating the largest ever range of vehicle adaptations and specialist vehicle conversions, not just for passengers but also greater choice in drive-from-wheelchair models.
Among the new products in this sector, Balder UK Limited launch their new vehicle conversion service. Combining wheelchair accessibility with a drive-from-wheelchair solution, the technology (shown right) used to produce the joystick and mini-wheel systems not only provides ease of operation for the designated user but ensures other drivers can operate the vehicle too. A fully converted demonstration vehicle will be on display.
A number of adaptation companies will be exhibiting collectively under the NMEDA UK banner. This is an association of adaptation companies working to raise awareness and improve standards in this sector. NMEDA UK members at the Roadshow include Autochair, Alfred Bekker, D S & P
Mobility, Elap Engineering, KC Mobility Services, Brig-Ayd Controls and Steering Developments. Many other adaptation specialists will also be exhibiting independently throughout the show.
Two companies featuring Renault conversions will make their Roadshow debut: Sirus Automotive is a new company, launching a drive-from-wheelchair vehicle based on the Renault Kangoo. Mobility Care Centre offers both drive-fromwheelchair and “side by side” conversions, where the passenger
with wheelchair sits alongside the driver.
Brotherwood Automobility with their impressive Paddock Suite display will be celebrating 20 Years of Conversions showing their original 1985 Nissan Prairie conversion alongside the very latest concepts and production vehicles.
If you need a converted or adapted vehicle for short-term loan, Forward Hire will advise on their nationwide branches to help you out, and if it’s an accessible motorhome you require, Nirvana and RDH are two new exhibitors that will be of interest.
Among exhibitors at the show with their latest models and equipment are:
Brig Ayd Controls – Their new Post Hoist will be unveiled allowing scooters and wheelchairs weighing up to 75kg to be loaded into the back of an estate of saloon car. Normally this weight requires an MPV or similar for transport. Also new this year will be the Electric Throttle hand control and Super Integral Lift for person and wheelchair, which can be fitted to passenger and luggage compartments.
DS&P Mobility launches a Kia Sedona and Chrysler Voyager paravan on to the Motability scheme. These first complete drive-from-wheelchair conversions available on the scheme will be available on a five-year contract hire.
Hill Grau is launching a new fully accessible Peugeot 807 conversion, which has been developed in conjunction with Peugeot. It is the first car of its kind to gain European Type approval.
Motorsport Endeavour – Aiming to help disabled people get into motorsport, the organisation will be looking for entries for Motorsport Endeavour England 2005, the first UK rally exclusively for disabled drivers.
Nirvana and RDH – In response to increasing interest at recent shows in motorcaravans and motorhomes, these companies will be exhibiting new wheelchair accessible motorhomes.
Pentagon will be showing their new Mercedes Benz Vito converted for wheelchair accessibility.
Roy Wood Transits will be exhibiting the Horizons Caravano Independent, converted to include fully accessible toilet, sink, fridge and a garage big enough to house most mobility scooters. At 16 feet long and developed following a
request from a disabled customer, this caravan is also compact enough to use as an everyday vehicle.
RGK Wheelchairs will be launching “the UK’s lightest bespoke wheelchair”, the RGK Max Lite. Using Titanium components the latest addition to RGK’s bespoke range weighs from just 6.9kg and is handcrafted to each client’s individual needs.
The Centre for Employment and Disadvantage Studies is conducting the largest ever survey in the UK of wheelchairs and scooters to determine the characteristics
of their users and assess changes taking place in wheelchair design. For the first
time this will include wheelchairs and scooters used by children.
Cyclone Mobility & Fitness will be introducing the new LSC Kid LifeStand electric wheelchair (pictured right) which helps children to discover a multitude of standing possibilities: to greet a friend, reach up to shelves, make a snack at kitchen bench. Also new is the THERAlive daily exercise and physiotherapy machine. For use with the child’s own wheelchair it is particularly beneficial to conditions such as cerebral palsy, muscular diseases, para/tetraspasticity and head trauma.
Dragon Mobility is launching the Snapdragon elevating powerchair for very young children. With customised seating it uses a power controller, which allows intuitive use by even the youngest of toddlers for highly manoeuvrable and responsive mobility.
Elevation is from floor to eye level, to aid complete integration.
GLCC will be showing two new styles of junior gloves, Kent Mobility will be introducing Colours range of wheelchairs to the UK from America, while Martin Conquest unveils the new drive-from-wheelchair motorbike conversion – delayed from launching at last years show.
Racketys has a range of clothing for disabled children. The colourful range includes snugs, jackets, capes and fun t-shirts with funky slogans.
R82 UK, new to the roadshow, specialises in the supply of own-brand rehabilitation aids for disabled children and young adults. The range of highly developed and innovative products help with toileting, showering, seating, standing, walking and
transportation.
Tomcat, the UK’s lightest special needs trike and an award-winning chair will be on show. The trikes are custom made for children with severe special needs and feature a control system that can be steered from the rear by a carer. Its
two-piece design can be separated in seconds to enable easy transportation and storage. Enables fully independent sitting, standing and transfer.
Whizz-Kidz will be offering a wheelchair skills training package called Keep on Moving. Whizz-Kidz developed the package in conjunction with a team of expert advisors including the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents and the Institute of Road Safety Officers. It covers everything needed to set up a local wheelchair skills training scheme and includes information for co-ordinators, trainers and road safety officers, participant log books, detailed teaching cards and a video.
Motor manufacturers
The line-up includes Chevrolet, Citroën, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Saab, smart, Suzuki, Toyota and Vauxhall.
Ford – view and try out the new Focus along with ten other Ford models, all adapted for test drive.
Nissan shows the new Pathfinder. This family sized 4x4 will be adapted and available for test drive along with the Micra, Almera, Tino and X-TRAIL.
Toyota – Fresh from the Geneva Motorshow will be the Aygo, the result of a joint project between Toyota, Peugeot and Citroën to design, develop and produce three all-new small passenger cars for the European market.
The Aygo is powered by the latest generation 1.0-litre petrol and 1.4-litre diesel engine. This compact, fuel-efficient car will be particularly suited to urban driving. It will also feature advanced safety and environmental protection technologies.
With 16 Toyota vehicles proposed for static display and trackside demonstration, you can both view and drive this exciting line up.
Vauxhall will be featuring the new Tigra and Zafira.
Spotlight on young people
ON A SEPARATE section of the Donington Park circuit, disabled
teenagers can take their first driving lesson. The BSM Corsa Challenge is a great way for anyone aged 15-plus to find out more about learning to drive.
To jump-start enthusiasm, participants also take away a voucher for a free driving lesson with BSM.
Thrill-seekers can head for the Infield Action Arena and an exciting selection of off-road passenger experiences: Range Rover 4x4 fun with Off-Road UK, quad biking from QuadTech, Woodstar Buggy Trials from Xtreme Disabled Motorsport
(XDM) and the chance to taste life as a rally co-driver with ParaRallying.
Meanwhile, young people will be a major focus of this year’s roadshow which is celebrating National Young Disabled Persons` Day on its opening day. There will be lots of fun activities and services available for children and young people and the winner of the Ready, Willing and Mobile competition will be announced on the first day, with guest of honour Tanni
Grey-Thompson.
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