Pacific Mobility Center

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auto hand controls

Driving Adaptations

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In this day and age, travelingby automobile is virtually a necessity for the majority of American adults. Most of us use our cars daily to commute to and from work, to go shopping and complete other chores, to chauffeur our children to their activities, to visit our friends and family members, or merely to get away for relaxation or vacation.

And the good news is that modern technology has offered people with physical impairments, who might not believe they can navigate a car safely, the opportunity to remain independent and mobile. Almost every automobile manufacturer, as well as a vast number of after-market product suppliers, has created a wide variety of automobile adaptations that can place almost every impaired, disabled, or mobility-challenged adult behind the wheel and on the road.

For example, pedal adaptations are available for individuals who have lost the use of their right leg and cannot utilize the standard accelerator. Left foot accelerators can be fitted to the left of the brake so that accelerating with the left foot becomes possible. For individuals who cannot reach the pedals at all when driving, pedal extenders can bring them closer to the driving seat.

For individuals who have lost the use of both legs, there are many ways in which a car’s traditional pedal functions – braking and accelerating – can be accomplished with hand controls. Push-pull hand controls allow the driver to operate the brake and accelerator functions by pushing and pulling a lever. There are various hand controls available from most manufacturers and suppliers, but the basic function is the same across most models. They range from more basic mechanical push/pull systems to electronic or air compression systems. Most can be fitted with “cutting” devices which automatically cut the accelerator when the brake is applied. And some can even be mounted on different locations inside the car. Some variations of the electronic hand control system include:

• The Trigger Accelerator – With a trigger accelerator you pull with your finger to accelerate, and push away to brake.
• The Over Ring Accelerator – The over ring accelerator is fitted in front of the steering wheel. You push it down toward the steering wheel to accelerate.
• The Under Ring Accelerator – The under ring accelerator is fitted behind the steering wheel. You pull it towards the steering wheel to accelerate.
• The Ghost Ring Accelerator – The ghost ring accelerator is fitted behind the steering wheel. You control the speed by using your fingers in side to side movements.
• The Twist Grip Accelerator – The twist grip accelerator is comparable to the hand grip accelerator on a motorbike. You twist it to accelerate and push it forward to operate the brake.

The bottom line is this: there is absolutely no reason for a disabled, but otherwise competent, adult to believe that he or she cannot safely operate an automobile. Here at Pacific Mobility, we can help you choose the most appropriate driving adaptation to meet your needs. Call or visit us today and allow our mobility experts to get you into the driver’s seat.

Getting in and Out of a Vehicle

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Many mobility-challenged people still need, or prefer, to be able to travel by car or truck either as a driver or a passenger. Luckily, the art and science of vehicle conversion has come a long way in recent years and these individuals have a wide range of choices when it comes outfitting an automobile, truck, or van with the necessary accommodations.

Picking both the right type of vehicle and the best kind of conversion depends on many factors. Perhaps the most important is determining the nature and extent of someone’s mobility challenges. Some disabled drivers who are able to get around without a wheelchair may also be able to get by with less than a fully-converted, wheelchair-accessible van. For these individuals, simply purchasing a sedan or coupe with a low and accessible seat height may be sufficient.

However, individuals with greater mobility challenges should definitely consider a vehicle equipped with seating that allows safe and easy access and egress. Several types are available. A turnout chair provides trouble-free access to vehicles that are lower to the ground. The seat rotates about 90 degrees and slides out a few inches over the doorsill. Once it is occupied it can be moved back to its original interior position for travel. Reversing the procedure allows a driver or passenger to exit the vehicle, safely. A turnout seat can be either manually or electronically controlled.

The next level up in this department is a turnout seat that not only rotates, but also can recline slightly for extra headroom, while it lowers toward the ground, just outside the car. Finally, there are rotating chairs that can come completely out of a vehicle and then lower towards the ground. They, too, can be electronically controlled either with a hand control unit, or power buttons installed within the seat or car door.

Other adaptation options include wheelchair lifts, hand controls, and mechanized lifts, called “curbsiders,” that can be fitted into the rear of a truck or van in order to load or unload a motorized scooter.

Before considering what type of vehicle adaptation is the right one for you, you should always consult an expert in the field. Here at Pacific Mobility we have the experience and expertise to help you select the most appropriate conversion or adaptation for your mobility challenges that will both suit your needs and fit within your budget. Call us today for a free consultation.

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Reclaim Your Freedom With Monarch Auto Hand Controls!

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Are you one of the thousands of people who thought your limited mobility meant giving up your ability to drive? It can be incredibly frustrating to feel like you have to depend on others to drive you around. No one wants to feel like a burden. In San Diego, as in many parts of the country, having a car and the ability to drive it is so important to one’s ability to do things like run errands and pursue recreation. At Pacific Mobility Center, we are dedicated to helping those with limited mobility regain their freedom. That’s why we are a Certified Installer of Monarch Auto Hand Controls and Driving Aids.

What are Auto Hand Controls and Driving Aids?

Auto Hand Controls and Driving Aids are devices (usually mechanical) that connect to the existing gas and brake pedals in your car and allow you to control them with your hands or with the opposite sides of your body. Generally, mechanical linkages are secured to the actual pedals and extend up or over allowing the user to control the vehicle. The devices vary in function and in the way the user interacts with the controls. The most common devices, hand controls, link a handle to the pedals and allow the user to control the pedals by pushing it in different directions. The exact motions used to control the vehicle vary by model and different users will find different motions more comfortable.
Pacific Mobility Center has a working display in our showroom to allow users to find which model best suits them. Two of our most popular models are:

The Monarch Mark 1-A Smooth Operator uses the most popular method of operation. This method is reported to cause the least amount of fatigue. The brakes are applied by a forward movement away from the driver, while the accelerator is applied by pushing down towards the driver’s lap and at a right angle to the brake.

 

 

The Monarch Push Rock Sure Operator is the newest model of hand control from Monarch. It uses a different, simpler method of control than the Smooth Operator. The user accelerates by pulling the handle the backward and brakes by pushing it forward. This style is often recommended by driving instructors.

We also offer several other models of auto hand controls as well as an array of adapters for left-hand or right-hand use of certain controls. We also offer parking brake extenders, rotating seats, and steering wheel spinner knobs. You can view our complete line of Auto Hand Controls and Drivings Aids here. Please contact us so we can evaluate your needs and have you come in to our showroom where we have functional displays.

A Word About Safety

Driving using auto hand controls or driving aids takes getting used to and training. We do not offer training or testing in the use of this equipment. We strongly recommend you contact a Driving Rehab Instructor prior to the use of this equipment. Failure to do so could be extremely dangerous and may violate the law. We are more than happy to provide a referral to qualified instructors in the San Diego area.