Short note on hand controls
Hand controls are the controlling equipment like accelerator, brake, clutch, gear, wheel, indicators etc. that are used by physically impaired drivers in their vehicles. If a driver is suffering from disability in the legs, knees and feet, hand controls are used by them to make driving safe and comfortable. Hand controls basically mean performing the controls with the hands. Hand controls can be performed by moving a joystick or a lever. The movements could be pushing forward and downward, or upward and backward, twisting and turning, pulling and rocking, etc. Hand controls can be placed on any side of the steering wheel depending on the comfort zone of the driver. With this technique or the latest innovation, drivers with disability no longer feel driving to be a barrier. They can move around with comfort, ease and freedom.
How can a disability driver get his vehicle equipped with the hand controls?
There are a number of centers with specialized and trained professional like Guidosimplex USA who perform a number of evaluations to identify which equipment is the best for the driver to drive with ease, safety, comfort and flexibility. Therefore the best person who can get a disability driver’s vehicle equipped with the hand controls is a driver’s rehab specialist. The tasks that they perform are:
• Firstly, he will identify the issue with the impaired driver.
• Secondly, he will advise on what type of equipment should be preferred by the driver.
• Thirdly, he will assess on which seating arrangement the driver should opt for.
• Fourthly, he will suggest on whether to use controls on the left hand side of the steering wheel or the right hand side.
• Lastly, he will suggest on the particular type of hand control to be such as the push/pull, the push/ twist, the push/rock, the push/ right angle, etc.
FAQs on hand controls by drivers with disabilities
Some of the most common FAQs on hand controls which each and every driver has on their mind before they purchase a vehicle that is equipped with the hand controls are stated below:
1. For whom are hand controls made?
2. Is there easy and flexibility in using hand controls?
3. Which vehicles can be equipped with hand controls?
4. Can the installation of the various hand controls be done without an expert?
5. Is there flexibility for any standard user to drive with ease and comfort apart from an impaired driver?
6. What are the basic differences between a primary controller and a secondary controller?
7. Is there a necessity to qualify the driver mobility test before driving such a vehicle?
8. Which type of transmission should be preferred automatic or manual?
9. What would be the difference if an old vehicle is transformed; in comparison to the one that already has hand control facilities?
10. Is there an option where the vehicle can be picked up from the doorstep for installation?
Contact :
Contact Person: Mo Abusham
E-mail: [email protected]
Guidosimplex USA
Address: 8130 Parkway Dr.La Mesa, CA 91942
Tel/Fax: 888 540 8267
Website: http://www.guidosimplexusa.com/