We will do our best to provide motor vehicle mobility solutions
and resources for people who have experienced the loss of a limb and those
involved in their lives. We are a supplier and installer of handicap and
amputee driving devices.
Driving after Amputation: Automotive
Mobility Equipment for Amputees driving after amputation is possible with the
right equipment and vehicle modifications.
After a limb has
been amputated, for any reason, a person is typically not able to drive an
automobile the same way they did before. However, there are several adaptive
devices that can enable an amputee to continue driving and maintain his or her
independence. The site of amputation(s) will determine exactly what type of
vehicle an amputee is able to drive, and what other types of adaptive mobility
equipment will be necessary. Here is a general overview of the various
amputations and what equipment might be necessary with each one:
Automotive Innovations Bridgewater, MA has installed the
following amputee driving equipment for close to 25 years:
RIGHT LEG
- Amputee Left foot gas pedal
- Hand Controls
- Automatic Transmission
- Power Braking
BOTH LEGS
- Hand Controls for brake and accelerator
- Amputee Spinner Knob
- Automatic Transmission
- Emergency Brake Extension
- Chest Strap
EITHER ARM
- Automatic Transmission
- Amputee Steering Device
- Reduced Effort Steering
- Zero Effort Steering
- Zero Effort Brake
- Modified Gear Shifter
- Electric Gear Shifter
- Electric Parking Brake
- Modified Secondary Controls (turn signals, dimmers)
Not every vehicle
can be modified appropriately, but if the amputee is g a permanent wheelchair
user a lowered floor minivan or mobility van may be their only option. That is
why it is necessary to first be evaluated by a driver rehab specialist and then
follow up with a certified mobility specialist to look at all of your adaptive
equipment options as recommended by your driving evaluator.
Automotive Innovations sells and installs all of the above
equipment.
Set up an appointment to meet with a mobility specialist today
and let us help you regain your independence after amputation.
Amputation is
the removal of all or part of a limb and can be the result of trauma,
illness or limb deficiency. It may also be present at birth, if it is not
progressive the advancement of disease can lead to additional amputation(s).
Potential Deficit Areas:
- Loss of function at or above the amputation site
- Decreased range of motion and/or strength of the residual limb
- Decreased sensation at the amputation site
- Hypersensitivity at the amputation site
- Phantom Pain
Impact on Driving/Transportation
A modified vehicle,
wheelchair lift or transfer seat may be needed for a person who now requires a
scooter or wheelchair for mobility or has difficulty transferring into an
unmodified vehicle.
The size of the
amputation will determine if the person will need adaptive equipment to return
to driving.
Adaptive driving
equipment allows the person to compensate for an impaired ability to reach
primary and secondary driving controls.
Prior to driving
with adaptive equipment, the person will need a driving evaluation. (www.aded.net)
Possible
Vehicle Equipment Needs:
- Left Arm Loss
- Automatic transmission
- Power steering
- Steering device
- Directional cross over
- Electric turn signal
- Foot parking brake release modification
- Left Leg Loss
- Automatic transmission
- Parking brake extension
- Chest strap
- Right Arm Loss
- Automatic transmission
- Power steering
- Steering device
- Electronic ignition
- Crossover and/or gear shift extension
- Wiper control modification
- Console parking brake modification
- Secondary/dash modification
- Key extension
- Electric ignition
- Right Leg Loss
- Automatic transmission
- Left foot accelerator
- Hand controls
- Pedal block
- Chest strap
Possible Vehicle Equipment Needs:
- Loss of Both Arms
- Steering device
- Reduced effort steering
- High-Tech steering
- Electric ignition
- Electric gear selector
- Electronic secondary controls
- Modification to door opener
- Foot steering
- Loss of Three or Four Limbs
- Reduced or zero effort steering
Complex, High-Tech
driving controls for gas, brake, steering and secondary controls requires a
detailed evaluation from a Driver Rehabilitation Specialists who works with
this type of equipment.
This will require
multiple fittings with a certified technician at a qualified mobility equipment
dealership to achieve custom applications.
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RELATED ARTICLES
Our
goal for the past 25+ years here at Automotive Innovations Bridgewater, MA,
Massachusetts, is to provide our customers with access to the best sales,
service and repair for all the leading wheelchair accessible mobility vehicles,
hand controls and
devices that can offer you greater freedom and independence. We are your New
England adaptive mobility equipment dealer and offer a full line of VMI wheelchair accessible vans,
or Vantage Mobility
International products, and we have a team of Certified Mobility
Consultants who are always ready to help you learn about the benefits and
features of full sized handicap vans, new and used wheelchair
vehicles, Ricon lifts, adaptive mobility equipment, and more.
Automotive
Innovations
1000 Main St Bridgewater, MA
508-697-6006
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