Disability doesn’t have to be the reason for poor social life and staying at home, because there are many ways to modify a standard wheelchair minivan in order to suit your needs, including adding hand controls which will enable you to drive a van on your own. Wheelchair users can immensely improve their lives and everyday functioning with a handicap van. Since there are many different handicap van models, you will definitely find the model that will suit your needs. You will have your freedom back, be able to go further distances and organize your social life the way you want to.
Wheelchair vans can accommodate one or two wheelchairs, as well as scooters, if there is a need for it. There are handicap vans for sale that are specifically designed to meet every need of drivers and passengers with disabilities, so dedicate your time to finding the right one and you will be satisfied with the outcome. It is very important to choose the right hand controls type in order to protect your health and make sure you are a safe driver. If you are not sure about the right type, ask for the professional opinion. Here are hand control types you can choose from:
- Push/pull style: Push forward on the handle to brake and pull it backwards to accelerate. Persons with limited finger dexterity can operate this type of mechanical hand control. In addition, a three-post hand interface can be installed to allow the user to maintain contact with the handle.
- Push/right angle style: Push the handle upward toward the instrument panel to brake and pull it downward at a right angle to accelerate. Persons with limited finger dexterity can operate this type of mechanical hand control.
- Push/rotate style: Push the handle forward to brake and twist it to accelerate. Full or limited finger function is required to operate this control.
- Push/rock style: Push the handle forward to brake and rock it back to accelerate. Persons with no finger dexterity can operate this type of hand controls.
Keep in mind that a vehicle is truly accessible if completely suits your needs. Before you make any purchase ask for a test drive if you need to make sure that you can hold up using the hand controls for an extended period of time. All of the floor pedals which control actions such as the breaks can be installed near the wheel. Their proximity to the steering wheel allows quick switching between operations keeping driving as safe as possible.
There are many hand control types that can really help disabled drivers with gaining access to a vehicle’s pedals and steering wheel. A couple hand controls are placed around on a more permanent basis. There are also hand controls which can quickly be installed on and removed in a few seconds, which is great for disabled people who share their wheelchair minivan with a non-disabled individual. You can choose compact hand controls that can be simply transported when traveling.










