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Mission: Possible
Patrick McDonnell enters the ever-expanding world of devices that help to get you on the road in comfort and style.
Adapting vehicles for disabled people can amount to something as simple as ticking the power steering and automatic transmission boxes in the car option list. Or it can involve increasing assistance via a re-designed and reengineered vehicle that can make driving possible for even the
most severely disabled people. This month Disabled Motorist concentrates on the adaptation market, where standard production models are refitted with mobility aids. This market also
converges with companies who literally rebuild vehicles to cater for their buyers.
The market for those drivers who are independent but require some degree of assistance is huge. Assistance can vary from basic hand control systems, through foot pedal extensions, to steering wheel knobs and rings. It can involve the installation of infra-red steering balls, tiller steering mechanisms, cruise controls, navigation systems, reversing aids, swivel seats, seat belt alterations and extensions to hoist and ramp systems for wheelchair and on-vehicle clamping systems.
A number of manufacturers cover this end of the conversion market. These include Jim Doran Hand Controls, D.S & P Mobility Electronics and ELAP Mobility Products, Chris Elliott Adaptations, Jeff Gosling Hand Controls and LVC Mobility. Additionally ELAP, working in collaboration with Italian manufacturer Guidosimplex, produces a range of manual and electronic hand controls, ranging from electronic accelerators and semi-automatic clutch systems to joystick controls.
Autochair is a manufacturer specialising in the adaptation of standard vehicles, obviating the expense of specialised wheelchair- accessible vehicles. Its three-tiered product range includes an automatic wheelchair carrier, which folds, lifts and stores manual wheelchairs. It is designed to be
suitable for the majority of vehicles on the domestic market.
Autochair also supplies an electric person lift, capable of lifting up to 127kg into the front passenger side or rear of the vehicle. The company offers a mini-hoist, which can lift electric wheelchairs, powerchairs and electric scooters on to a vehicle.
Autochair offer adaptations designed for installation in standard saloons, estates, MPVs, 4X4s and even motorcycle sidecars.
Brotherwood Automobility converts a range of European-manufactured vehicles, including Citroen, Fiat, Renault and Volkswagen. The company has introduced the Hooki anchor point system for secure wheelchair restraint in transit, available in three versions. Type A is designed for universal application to manual or electric wheelchair in transit. Type B is suitable for
fitting to horizontal frame tubes and heavy electrical wheelchairs. Type C is designed for front anchor points on attendant wheelchairs.
Constables Mobility's CarChair system provides a mobility solution for drivers and customers who do not require or need a fourdoor saloon or an estate car . This was developed to enable the user to sit in the front of a standard twodoor production car or MPV. The product converts from an allpurpose wheelchair into a car seat. The powered system lifts, rotates and lowers the chair and its occupant into the position where the front seat would normally be located. CarChair is
available on a range of vehicles.
For those who wish or need to carry the wheelchair outside the vehicle, a number of approaches are offered by from different manufacturers, either with trailer or roof-mounted storage devices. Delcane produces a two-wheel trailer suitable for manual or electric wheelchairs or scooters, which is an increasingly important market sector. Its Scooter Tote addresses a number of
perceived problems with existing trailers, including neutralising the problem of weight distribution. Additionally, because of its pivot system, the whole trailer can pivot through a
90-degree angle to allow the user to load or off-load the scooter or wheelchair from the rear or
on to the pavement. Once the trailer is in this position it can be pushed in an arc and parked down the driver's side of the car without being disconnected.
Steering Developments offers the Braun Chair Topper, a fibreglass wheelchair storage system that can accommodate most manual wheelchairs, including those fitted with power pack systems. The Chair Topper's universal fittings mean that it can be fitted to most cars and MPVs, and it can also be painted to match the vehicle colour for an unified look.
KC Mobility Services, apart from its extensive range of converted vehicles for ramp or lift use, offers in-vehicle wheelchair lifting and carrying with the Robostore fully-automatic wheelchair lift.
The system opens the boot or rear door, lifts out the chair, carries the chair to the driver door, positions it exactly for user transfer, and goes back into the vehicle. The action is reversed to enter the vehicle.
The company also offers a wheelchair and scooter hoist, which can lift up to 175kg. The system can be made fully automatic for those unable to manoeuvre the chair into and out of the vehicle and can also be supplied with an automatic tailgate/door option.
The Ricon Corporation is a US company with a global commercial dealer network specialising in the design, manufacture and installation of wheelchair ramps for commercial, paratransit, heavy
transit, coach and school buses. Ricon UK Limited specialises in the distribution, service and repairs of wheelchair lifts for van conversions, buses and recreational vehicles, plus low-floor ramps for transit and rail applications, throughout the UK and Europe
The Wheelchair Access Motor Company offers a number of converted vehicles for wheelchair use. The company has recently introduced a “drive through” wheelchair in a Renault Sirus Kangoo conversion, allowing a wheelchair user to “drive” on board and into position at the
steering wheel. Brig-Ayd Controls is a family-run business manufacturing hand controls, wheelchair lifts and ramps, throttle, steering and brake and clutch controls. The firm came into existence in the late 1950s to fill a need not then being fully addressed.
Brig-Ayd founder Peter Briggs' engineering skills were applied to adapting the then brand-new Mini to meet the needs of his disabled wife, fitting servo-assisted hand controls with
hydraulic links. Brig-Ayd Controls now converts 1,500 vehicles a year for disabled drivers.
Autochair: 0800 214045
Brig-Ayd: 01707 322322
Brotherwood Automobility: 01903 872603
Constables Mobility: 01323 767574
(Apologies for giving the wong Constables area code last issue)
Delcane: 01953 717557
Jim Doran Hand Controls: 024 76460833
D S & P Mobility Electronics: 01296 488815
ELAP Engineering: 01254 871599
Chris Elliott Adaptations: 01733 333023
Jeff Gosling Hand Controls: 0161 426 0222
KC Mobility: 01924 442386
LVC Mobility: 01246 859077
Ricon: 0800 435677
Steering Developments: 01442 212918
Wheelchair Access Motor Company: 0121 550 8844
The opinions on the products mentioned are those of the manufacturers, and not those of Disabled Motorist magazine.
Clamping down for in-car security
BALDER UK have introduced the new Clamp Down System to work in conjunction with their range of wheelchairs when travelling in a vehicle. The system is available in both manual and automatic versions and consists of a static spigot on the floor of the vehicle on to which the chair securely locks.
The electronics and clamping lock system are mounted to the powerchair itself, so no external wiring or electrics are required.
The Balder Clamp Down System has been crash-tested and passed by the UK Road Transport Laboratory, as have the company's powerchairs. With operation provided by the touch of a button, the system is claimed to provide “a true feeling of independence”. In addition, the often time-consuming task of being strapped securely into position has been eliminated to make the process of getting in and out of the vehicle both quick and stress-free.
Should the driver wish to change from a driving to a passenger position, the Balder Undercarriage System allows the passenger seat and powerchair to be swapped easily and quickly. The wheels fitted to the base of the passenger seat mean that no heavy lifting is required, so the carer or companion can take over the driving where needed.
“The Clamp Down and Undercarriage Systems bring a new dimension to people's lives,” explains Terry Wright, Managing Director of Balder UK. “Combined with the high level of features available from our extensive range of powerchairs, we believe that an unrivalled level of accessibility
to the outside world is provided by Balder UK.”
For further information about the company's product range, visit www.balder.co.uk or email .
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