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Aids for getting in and out of a vehicle
Whether you need help getting from your wheelchair to your car or just
have difficulties getting in and out of the car, there are a number of
solutions ranging from simple inexpensive ones to more complex ideas.
You can click to go straight to more on:
Aids for people with slight mobility impairment
Aids for wheelchair users
Suppliers of access aids and systems. Click on a name to open their showcase page in a new window:
Bentley Fielden (ramps)
Braiden International
UK
Constables Mobility
Cowal Mobility
Gowrings Mobility
Lewis Reed
Steering Developments
WAV Evolution
Aids for people with slight mobility impairment
• Simple solutions
There
are a number of simple solutions for getting in and out of the car, including
the Handy Bar (left).
This device clips on to the latch of your car door and gives you something to lean on as you get in and out.
Another
practical idea is a swivel cushion (right) which, as its name suggests,
is a cushion placed on the car seat which allows you sit in sideways and
then turn to the right driving position and vice versa for getting out
again.
The only thing to bear in mind is that this type of cushion can also turn you whilst going round corners.
• More complex solutions
There
are also more permanent solutions, such as having a swivel seat installed.
This is obviously a more expensive option, but the seat can be readily
removed and installed in another vehicle.
The swivel seat will turn through either 90° or 180°, enabling the user to get in and out without having to turn themselves.
There are some models which slide out of the car to make access even easier.
Swivel seats are easier to install in a two-door car, as the door openings are wider, but it is possible to have them installed in a four-door car. You will need to get advice from the supplier.
It is also possible to have a lift installed between the seat and door which will lift you to a near-standing position.
Aids for wheelchair users
• Simple solutions
To
help you get in and out of the car you can use a transfer board (right)
which bridges the gap between your wheelchair and the car seat.
There are basically two types: either the board has a highly polished surface to enable you to slide across it, or some more expensive models incorporate a sliding seat.
There
are also some simple devices which enable someone to help you to transfer
to and from the car - a lifting belt and disc.
The belt goes round your waist and helps someone to lift you, while your feet are put on a turning disc which helps you to turn into the car from your chair.
Once you have transferred, some assistance is probably required to get your chair or scooter into the car. Although a very lightweight transportable manual wheelchair can be folded and stowed by one person unaided, anything heavier will almost certainly be easier to transport with the aid of a ramp.
Portable
track ramps, such as this telescopic aluminium set, can be used to wheel
a chair or scooter into the boot, then they fold down to be easily transportable
themselves. This type cannot, of course, be used for three-wheel scooters.
There are multi-fold designs available that open out into a single ramp suitable for either a three or four wheeled scooter.
If your vehicle has a low enough floor and enough space, you can remain in your wheelchair while you propel it up a ramp.
As an alternative to portable ramps, some car conversions include an integral ramp, which retracts into the body of the vehicle when not in use. You will find more information about these in the car conversions section
• More complex solutions
It
is possible to install a sling hoist which takes the wheelchair user out
of their chair and into the car seat.
However these systems are quite complex and difficult to operate by yourself.
You can also have a hoist for your wheelchair which combines a wheelchair lift and storage system. The are models that store the chair on the roof of the car and also on the rear.
There
is also a full wheelchair system available from Constables Mobility, called
the CarChair conversion (left).
This is essentially a special wheelchair designed to fit in the space occupied by a car seat.
The system does require modifications to your car.
The big advantage is that the user won't need to transfer to and from their wheelchair.
Another
custom design solution, shown right, is the Carony, where the car seat
slides out of the car and docks with a wheelchair base.
The best thing to do is to contact an experienced supplier who can assess your needs and advise you on the perfect system for you and your vehicle.
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