Most people take for granted the fact that they can drive a car without impediment. Standard automobile designs, however, limit disabled persons from being able to drive due to the design of the car or truck. Many people do not have the ability to grip the steering wheel properly, or no longer have the use of their lower limbs. As a result, these persons do not have the ability to drive traditionally designed vehicles. Handicapped steering wheel controls however, have changed this and allow many disabled persons to drive and regain their independence in many cases.
What Are the Types of Handicap Driving Products?
Handicap break controls, portable hand controls, and spinner knobs are four of the most common handicap driving accessories for automobiles on the market. Portable hand controls are designed for those who have some use of their arms, but do not have control of their lower bodies or feet. They are designed to instal in a vertical position in between the passenger and driver’s seat. These controls permanently affix to the brake and accelerator pedals. The controls also have switches to activate the automobile lights, and turn signals. They do take some practice for new users to get used to the devices, however, and should be tried out in a controlled environment before taking a vehicle on the road using these controls. There are also similar controls for the brakes of the car, however, they are not recommended for drivers with weak arm strength and are normally temporary in nature when installed.
Handicap spinner knobs are installed for drivers with limited hand or arm strength. They affix to the vehicle’s steering wheel and look similar to an Xbox or Playstation game controller. They have various switches, knobs, or buttons installed on the controller to control all of the aspects of the automobile dashboard, with the specific design being based on the individual manufacturer.
How Much Do Handicap Steering Wheel Controls Cost?
Handicap steering wheel controls can range in cost from $150 USD to several thousand dollars depending on the manufacturer of the devices. Many times, these devices will be covered by the disabled persons medical insurance depending on the nature of the device being purchased. Taking a hard look at helping make a family member or loved one who may be handicapped more independent is a critical part of building their self esteem. Not only will the person feel better about themselves, but those who have to devote much of their day or lives to transporting them around will now have additional free time as a result of the new independence of their loved one.
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