Pacific Mobility Center

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disability

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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Ramping vs. Porchlift

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If you need to facilitate wheelchair or handicap access to a home or structure that has a raised foundation, and stairs are not a viable option, essentially, you have two other choices: you can install either a ramp or a porch lift.                                                                                                  ramp     Porch Lift

In order to figure out if a ramp is a practical alternative, you’re going to have to do a lot of measuring and then perform some simple arithmetic. The first thing you need to determine is the extent of the rise between the ground and the structure’s entry level. In other words, what is the “rise?” Once you know the rise, then you can calculate how much ramping will be required.

According to the federal government’s Americans with Disabilities Act, the legal standard for the ratio of rise to ramping in public buildings is 1:12. In other words, for every inch of rise, the law requires twelve inches, or one foot, of ramping. Now, your home is not a public building and some municipal or county building codes might be more lenient requiring only, perhaps, 8 inches of ramping for every 1 inch of rise, so it’s important to check with your local government, if you need to build a steeper ramp. But the ADA ratio is considered the safest solution.

So, for example, if the rise between the ground and the entry level is 30 inches, you’re generally going to need 30 feet of ramping. Now that you know how many linear feet of ramping is necessary either for code or safety requirements, you’re going to have to measure again, this time to determine if you have 30 feet of room in which to put a ramp. If you don’t have a 30 foot straightaway, you’re going to need to break up the ramp with platforms, landings and/or turnarounds. Don’t try to estimate this essential element. Make sure that you have a solid plan that you can implement before you spend time and money installing a ramp.

If you decide that a ramp is doable, your material choices will likely be either wood or some type of metal – most probably aluminum. Wood may be less expensive, but aluminum generally requires less maintenance and can stand up better to inclement weather. Whatever material you choose, make sure that you apply some sort of non-skid surface to it. Also, make sure that the transition from the ground to the ramp is as smooth as possible. Bumps are difficult to navigate in a wheelchair.

If, for any reason, a ramp is not an acceptable option, your other choice is an exterior porch lift. While a porch lift will likely be more expensive than a ramp, it will always take up less space. In addition, a porch lift will often be the only choice if the rise is considerable. For example, a rise of 5 feet, or 60 inches, would require a 60 foot ramp. That amount of ramping simply might not be possible in any configuration on many pieces of property.

Before you decide on which alternative is the best one for your situation, you should seek out professional advice. Here at the Pacific Mobility Center, we can assist you in making the right decision for yourself or a loved one. Call us for a no-cost assessment and a member of our staff will work with you toward the most appropriate solution.

Don’t Let Mobility Keep You From Voting!

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New laws passed in many states requiring voters to present valid state or federal identification are bringing back to light a subject often overlooked in the modern American political landscape: disabled voter disenfranchisement. As many as 37 states have passed or are considering voted ID legislation, which could potentially affect, amongst other groups, disabled and elderly voters disproportionately. Disabled and elderly voters are less likely to have ID, and would be prevented from voting under the new or proposed laws. There are also other alarming trends.
A recent study by Rutgers University reveals disabled and elderly voters were disproportionately less likely to vote, a new article by NBC reports. According to the study, disabled and elderly voters were 7% less likely to vote than other groups of voters. The reason? In short, mobility. The study reports that despite court rulings, less than 33% of polling places were completely obstruction-free.
How is this possible in modern America? How can a federal court order be so blatantly flouted? One way state and local governments dodge the order is by allowing absentee ballots and curbside voting. Absentee ballots are ballots mailed in by the voter ahead of the election date. Curbside voting involves mobility-challenged voters staying in their cars while poll workers bring their ballot out to them and assist them in voting. Both of these methods, however, have drawbacks.
Many disabled voters feel that while these options are convenient, some feel they are poor substitutes for voters who want to vote traditionally. Absentee ballots must be mailed well ahead of election dates to ensure they are valid, and hence voters may miss the opportunity to change their planned vote at the last minute due to late breaking developments with a particular party or candidate. In addition, absentee ballots are often not counted unless the race is close. With approximately 11% of voters currently disabled and as many as 36% of voters of 65 disabled, this can lead to the disenfranchisement of a large segment of the population. Voters 65 and older alone comprise 17% of registered voters. Curbside voting is usually counted in the regular vote, but can sometimes lead voters to feel embarrassed or as if they are burdening overworked poll workers. This can lead many disabled voters to avoid using it where available, leading to a drop in the number of disabled people casting ballots.
“People with disabilities should have the same options as everyone else has,” Lisa Schur, a Rutgers University associate professor, said in the article. “Voting in a polling place is an important and symbolic ritual.” Do you feel the same, but are having trouble with your mobility or having trouble accessing your polling place? Pacific Mobility Solutions is here to help.

How Can Pacific Mobility Solutions Help You?

If you are disabled and/or suffering mobility difficulties, please come and see us or call us at (760) 471-8884 to schedule an appointment or drop on in to take a free test drive one of our powerchairs and to find out more about having your vehicle equipped. Many of our powerchairs are capable of negotiating many of the obstacles you may find in real-world situations such as polling places. We’d love to help you find the right one for you, and we can even help you with the Medicare paperwork. We also rent powerchairs and scooters. Come see us today!