What
is "Vehicle Adaptation"?
Vehicle
adaptation is one of the many types of assistive technology that enable
persons with disabilities to perform activities on their own at home,
in the community, in school, and in the workplace. It refers to
a range of devices that change certain parts of vehicles so that they
can be used by a person with a physical disability. Sometimes it
is also called vehicle conversion or modification.
Examples
of equipment and vehicle modifications may include:
- a left-foot
accelerator for a person with a right leg disability.
- moving the directional
signal and headlight levers to the appropriate side of the steering
column for a person with limitation with his/her arm.
- equipment such as a hand
throttle and brake control, steering knob or ring, horn or dimmer switch
button, or a parking brake extension for someone who is unable to use
both legs.
- a voice control system
for turn signals, headlights or dimmers.
- an automatic lift in a
van for use with transporting a person who uses a wheelchair.
Vehicle conversions are major changes to factory-built
cars or vans that are done by the manufacturer. Examples of vehicle conversions
include:
- lowered floors
- lowering ramps and kneeling
systems
- remote controlled electronic
doors
- manual or automatic wheelchair
lockdowns
- automatic right-side sliding
door
- electric 3-way positioned
driver's seat
- roll-out passenger seat
- rear-entry conversions
- electric voice or breath
control devices
Truck-style vans are
the least expensive approach; examples that consumers have noted include
the Ford Windstar and Chrysler's PT Cruiser.
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