Hand Controls for motor vehicles

[macca2]

Is there anyone out there who has experience of hand controls in vehicles.

I have a need to move in that direction and would like to know.

1. What types people have used.

2. What are the pros and cons of various options.

3. For ease of getting in and out of the vehicle, (seat height) I am looking at a Subaru Forester or Toyota Rav 4.

Any comments on these vehicles and any other points would be great.
Thanks
Macca

PS to Cliff. I have Googled it to death :D

[Iain]

If it is for a disability I am sure that manufacturers install it free during the production line process, I am pretty sure that Holden Ford did.
Not sure if they still do.
Contact your local CTP insurer, they may be able to assist.

[Cliff Rogers]

....PS to Cliff. I have Googled it to death :D


How hard did you try? :p

http://www.disabilityhire.com.au/

http://www.drivingaids.com/

http://www.disability-online.com/

& did you try Yahoo? :rolleyes: :D

http://au.dir.yahoo.com/Business_and_Economy/Shopping_and_Services/Automotive/Assistive_Technology/

[macca2]

Thanks Cliff, but they are all USA sites and not much help. There is very little I can find on Australia sites.

From what I can gather there are 3 types.
Push pull.........push brake,pull throttle
Push pat.........push brake, pat towards you for throttle
Push twist.......push brake, twist throttle.

There are a couple of firms in WA doing the conversion but I was hoping I might get some first hand advice.

I will look into Ford etc but we have a Magna and the seat is too low, especially when getting out of the vehicle.

Thanks again
Macca

[echnidna]

Talk to the Occupational Therapist at your hospital.
They often have lists of all sorts of aids.

[Iain]

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/registration/downloads/vsi/vsi02.pdf
Some engineers here, albeit in NSW but may be of assistance.
The reason I mentioned CTP was because in some instances the onus is upon them to provide you with a car as a result of a MVA resulting in the inability to drive an ordinary vehicle.
They won't advertise this but they will know.

[macca2]

Thanks all for your interest and help.
I have been in touch with Independent Living Centre of WA and they offer a great range of advice with many aids on display and available for evaluation, including a vehicle fitted with all the hand controls, roof mounted wheelchair hoists, etc.
Making an appointment now to see their Occupational Therapist.

Macca

[cub3]

Have you tried http://www.royalrehab.com.au/ a phone call, may be beneficial.

On same campus http://www.tadnsw.org.au/index.html

Regards Den