Choosing a car
Many features that are particularly helpful for disabled motorists are now more widely available and the less a car has to be modified, the less it will affect its resale value. Check that any car you are considering can be fitted with the controls you need, for example, electric adaptations are difficult to interface with modern cars' computer-based electrics.
- Automatic transmission: a must for many disabled drivers. Generally easier to drive and cheaper to convert
- Power assisted steering: strongly recommended after upper limb amputation. On some cars the effort needed can be further lightened by the dealership or by specialist converters
- Cruise control to maintain a constant speed. You can relax pressure on the accelerator. Choose carefully - some are small and fiddly to operate. Standard on some cars, an extra on others or adaptation firms can fit one
- Space for your artificial limb in the footwell
- Electric secondary controls eg for windows, door mirrors, push button ignition, remote central locking, wipers that switch on automatically when it rains, lights which switch on automatically when it gets dark
- Parking sensor - sounds if you are near an obstruction
- Reversing camera
- Rear seats that fold flat by power
- No or low sill to the tailgate
- Internal boot/hatch release
- Hatch which opens by power.
And for getting in and out and comfort:
- Tall and wide door openings - doors on two-door cars are usually wider
- Doors with a wide opening angle
- No sills or low, narrow door sills
- Conveniently placed handholds
- Height adjustable seats
- Electrically operated seats which go up and down, forwards and back - for more space to get in, but to sit closer to the wheel for driving
- Back and lumbar support on seats
- Plenty of leg and foot room
- Air conditioning for comfort.
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