Car For Disabled Driver
December 16, 2015 9:28 AM
My 22-year old daughter has cerebral palsy, which affects her walking. She wants to drive, and its certainly time for that. We are just starting this process, and are looking for some guidance.
We are looking for a car that is easy-in, easy-out, and readily convertible for hand controls. Does anyone here have any specific recommendations? Not looking brand new, but reliable to get her to school/work. A mobility scooter may be needed in the future, so something that could take a lift on the back for that would be awesome.
Of course, we haven’t even figured out how to teach driving on hand controls, but first things first, right?
If it matters, we’re in the Bay Area of California.
We are looking for a car that is easy-in, easy-out, and readily convertible for hand controls. Does anyone here have any specific recommendations? Not looking brand new, but reliable to get her to school/work. A mobility scooter may be needed in the future, so something that could take a lift on the back for that would be awesome.
Of course, we haven’t even figured out how to teach driving on hand controls, but first things first, right?
If it matters, we’re in the Bay Area of California.
If you haven't already, check out this NHTSA tip sheet for adapting motor vehicles for people with disabilities.
In my experience, the people who do the retrofit arrange for necessary training.
posted by Short Attention Sp at 12:35 PM on December 16, 2015
In my experience, the people who do the retrofit arrange for necessary training.
posted by Short Attention Sp at 12:35 PM on December 16, 2015
My dad had Multiple Sclerosis, and throughout his life he had electric wheelchair lifts in a couple of cars, and eventually a lift-gate system in a full sized van. But he passed away in 1993, so I can't suggest specific modern options for either. (Obviously Chevy Malibus, Ford Taurus and Ford Econoline vans aren't the same as 20+ years ago!) His hand controls were exactly as jon1270 describes above.
However, there are a couple of things you might keep in mind.
While any new driver is probably better off with a smaller car, her electric scooter will need to fold or come apart in order to fit into a trunk. So she will need to have the strength and dexterity to be able to collapse the chair, put it in the trunk and then do the reverse. If she's making multiple trips in a single day, that can be quite tiring for someone with a disability.
When a wheelchair is placed in a trunk, that also effectively eliminates the trunk as storage space. Something to consider if she's going to be doing her own shopping, or traveling with suitcases. Her back seat (and perhaps the front seat as well) will be used for storage and transportation.
The next largest option is a mini-van, and if you're going to go that route, it might be a good idea to speak with AMS regarding available options. They do wheelchair conversions which would likely allow her to keep the scooter intact for transport. A minivan has better fuel economy than a larger SUV, truck or full sized van, and many of the newer models include rear and side cameras, which can be very helpful to new drivers learning the dimensions of their vehicle. (And let's face it, they're helpful for those of us who have been driving for years, too!) A minivan has a low center of gravity and drives like a car, so it may be more comfortable for her. And they're easy to get in and out of (no climbing) which is important.
Good luck.
posted by zarq at 1:26 PM on December 16, 2015
However, there are a couple of things you might keep in mind.
While any new driver is probably better off with a smaller car, her electric scooter will need to fold or come apart in order to fit into a trunk. So she will need to have the strength and dexterity to be able to collapse the chair, put it in the trunk and then do the reverse. If she's making multiple trips in a single day, that can be quite tiring for someone with a disability.
When a wheelchair is placed in a trunk, that also effectively eliminates the trunk as storage space. Something to consider if she's going to be doing her own shopping, or traveling with suitcases. Her back seat (and perhaps the front seat as well) will be used for storage and transportation.
The next largest option is a mini-van, and if you're going to go that route, it might be a good idea to speak with AMS regarding available options. They do wheelchair conversions which would likely allow her to keep the scooter intact for transport. A minivan has better fuel economy than a larger SUV, truck or full sized van, and many of the newer models include rear and side cameras, which can be very helpful to new drivers learning the dimensions of their vehicle. (And let's face it, they're helpful for those of us who have been driving for years, too!) A minivan has a low center of gravity and drives like a car, so it may be more comfortable for her. And they're easy to get in and out of (no climbing) which is important.
Good luck.
posted by zarq at 1:26 PM on December 16, 2015
It looks like, from a quick googling, that there are some fairly specific resources in your area (this shows up for example, and this has a list of many options which are local to you I think). Some of them suggest that the driving evaluation is done in a vehicle they supply. I would think that the better route may be to get your daughter driving in an adapted vehicle and then address what vehicle is going to meet her needs well. From an accessibility point of view, we have been very happy with a Toyota Matrix, and a Subaru Forester. Both of which would take a folding walker, but not an assembled scooter. We have also had a Minivan which had a semi manual crane system for a scooter, which was cheap, but required some manual work to load/unload (ie possible for a slow/poor walker to do, but not for a very unbalanced/weak stander to do).
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 5:14 PM on December 16, 2015
posted by Northbysomewhatcrazy at 5:14 PM on December 16, 2015
The Mazda5 is minivan-ish (3 rows of seats, with the back two rows fold-down-able) but shorter and lighter (it is the same chassis as their Mazda 3 car). If the chassis is strong enough to install the scooter lift (it isn't rated for towing, so I'm not sure if that is required for the heft of a scooter lift), this is one I would recommend. It has 5 star crash ratings, is fun to drive, has great visibility, and is cheaper than a minivan.
Some vehicles have powered hatch doors for the trunk. That might be a good criteria to look for, too.
posted by jillithd at 6:48 AM on December 17, 2015
Some vehicles have powered hatch doors for the trunk. That might be a good criteria to look for, too.
posted by jillithd at 6:48 AM on December 17, 2015
Thanks for all your help!
posted by China Grover at 11:48 AM on December 18, 2015
posted by China Grover at 11:48 AM on December 18, 2015
« Older Bed time tackled, seeking advice for napping 4... | Books, essays, etc. on the Financial Crisis of... Newer »
This thread is closed to new comments.
Transporting the scooter will constrain your choices more than the other considerations because it typically means a larger vehicle, which isn't always great for new drivers. Do you think she's likely to need a powered scooter during the service life of a used vehicle in the price range you're aiming for? If you do, I'd start by looking up adaptive controls installers in your area, and get their advice as to which vehicle models work out best, or which to avoid.
If she currently uses a manual wheelchair to travel longer distances then make sure the trunk or hatch allows easy loading and unloading.
Hand controls are just a lever that controls throttle and brake, and a spinner knob for steering one-handed. Driving with them isn't all that different.
posted by jon1270 at 9:44 AM on December 16, 2015