.png)
What Are The Best Hand Controls For Disabled Drivers
- Posted by:
- Admin
- Tags:
- Posted date:
- 02-08-2022
Are you asking: what are the best hand controls for disabled drivers? We look at the hand controls available and the benefits of each option.
What Are The Best Hand Controls For Disabled Drivers?
People with disabilities no longer have to worry about being stuck in one place now that more hand control features make operating a vehicle accessible and easier. Depending on the disability, hand controls can be the best choice and a huge help for some. This equipment can include push-button ignitions, lowered steering wheels, swivel driver seats, and seatbelt extenders.
They aid those with disabilities in navigating the road legally and safely. Hand controls are also for people with partial paralysis, neurological disorders, or arthritic conditions. They can be installed on the right and left sides according to the driver's requirements. Hand controls make this kind of product unsuitable for people who have lost their arms or hands.
Read on for more information regarding the best hand controls that allow some people with disabilities to become drivers. There are also options suitable for those that struggle to have enough upper body strength to operate a vehicle without additional support.
What Are The Best Hand Controls For Disabled Drivers?
Here is a breakdown of a few handiest features for drivers with disabilities.
Push & Rock
A push and rock hand control allows the driver to apply the accelerator and the brakes by hand through a mechanical linkage rather than using their feet. An upright handle needs pushing forward to brake or rocked back and downwards to initiate the accelerator. This lever sits conveniently next to the steering wheel.
People who struggle with, or have a lack of, finger dexterity will find the push and rock hand control most useful. The unique rocking motion allows for minimal hand travel when braking and acceleration while keeping your hand in a natural position.
Push & Right angle
Compared to going forward and backwards with pushing and rocking, pushing and right-angle hand controls work by bringing the handle upward and downward to respectively brake and accelerate.
Push and right-angle hand control aid people with limited finger dexterity, allow for increased leg room when getting in and out of the vehicle, avoid collision with the driver's lap at full acceleration, and allow for better two-handed contact with the steering wheel.
Push & Pull
Push and pull hand controls involve pushing or pulling a lever, allowing a driver to have greater leverage and a shorter stroke. The horizontal lever, or bar, can be installed on either the left or right of the steering wheel, depending on which is your dominant side.
There is significantly less strain on fingers and thumbs and more flexible hand positions for less cramping and fatigue when driving.
Push & Rotate/Twist
These hand controls are extremely useful in vehicles with limited space. This type of hand control requires a driver with full dexterity in their fingers.
A lever needs moving to apply the brake while twisting the grip controls the throttle, similar to a motorcycle's controls. The lever is installed next to the steering wheel for full access to the wheel and other controls.
Electronically assisted hand controls
Electronically assisted hand controls allow a driver to manage the brakes, gas, and steering while a secondary control operates other vehicle functions. The secondary control looks like a bigger version of a joystick that you find on gaming console controls. These can be used for steering, switching on indicators, and more.
Electronically assisted hand controls require drivers to have full finger dexterity to operate them properly.
Hand Controls Operation
Automatic vehicle hand control levers operate vehicle pedals mechanically, giving you the same control as when driving manually. Operation is usually a simple pulling and pushing motion to accelerate and brake, respectively.
Smooth braking requires a simple push in a downwards motion using either the palm of your hand or the tips of your fingers, while smoothly accelerating is achieved by placing your thumb around your steering wheel and squeezing the handle.
Hand Controls FAQ
While we advise conventional automatics, hand controls can be fitted in any vehicle, automatic or manual.
In the Motability scheme, whereby people can be mobile by exchanging their mobility allowance to lease a new car or wheelchair-accessible vehicle, most manufacturers can only install hand controls on automatic vehicles. If hand controls are installed on a manual vehicle, driving will be difficult and dangerous because the operator will be too busy driving with hand control features to change the gears.
The safety of the vehicle and the effectiveness of the hand controls are the primary concerns when designing and installing hand controls.
If the vehicle is on the Motability scheme and you return the car, these adaptations will remain installed. That's why the amount of cutting and drilling is reduced to achieve minimum costs and aesthetically pleasing results.
Hand controls allow more than one driver to use the same vehicle because it can be conventionally driven with pedals even with hand controls installed.
No original controls are removed. However, the driver must be made aware that adaptations have been fitted. For example, hinged accelerator pedals need flipping down before using your feet to drive, otherwise, the vehicle makes entering awkward with pedal guards on.
Brake and accelerator hand controls will be affected if the steering column is adjusted in any way. When hand controls are fitted, it is advised that the steering column isn't adjusted.
Because full brakes and acceleration are prioritised when setting up, you may find steering column positions are limited with hand controls. If you wish, discuss your desired changes with your installer before your adaptations are installed.
If you are unsure which hand control setup you require, contact your local mobility services company for static demonstrations, driving assessments, and options.
Whether you are new to driving with hand controls or wonder what would be best for you, you will get the correct adaptations by reaching out to your local experts in the field.
Under the Mobility Scheme, these adaptations can be fitted for no extra cost.
MotorHome Towbars provide cars, scooters, wheelchairs and more, so if you're interested, please reach out to us, and we can adapt your motor for your disability.
Are you looking for disability car adaptions in Lincoln And Lincolnshire? We have a huge range of adaptations available and would love to discuss this with you.