Driving Aids

"I had no idea where I could look for help when an accident totaled our van and left us helpless miles from home. Nor-Cal Mobility rescued us with a rental delivered! We were saved by Nor-Cal!" - Beverly B.
"Workmanship is absolutely outstanding!" - Bud R.
"Greg is our angel -- he is very compassionate, understanding and knows his business. Our family is very grateful! Thank you!" - Cathy M.
"The van was exactly what my wife wanted! Thanks!" - Chester K.
"Thank you for all of your help. I love my new van!" - Deborah F.
"Thank you for everything! We love our new van!" - Gary & Tracy S.
"Terrance was great! This process was frustrating and he was always there to help. Could not have done it without him." - Jerry F.
"Thank you for everything you have done for our boys. We appreciate how fast and easy everything went." - Judy L.
"Extremely courteous and knowledgeable staff. Should I ever need another special needs vehicle, I will, without a doubt, return to Nor-Cal Mobility for my vehicle." - Larry S.
"Alex is the best! He took such great care with Mom, made her feel very special and took lots of time explaining all factors to her and I." - Linda C.
"We had an excellent experience dealing with Al. He was very courteous and knowledgeable. We were very satisfied. Thank you!" - Lylliam D.
"Al was generous and absolutely accomodating. He was kind and patient." - Pacific Institute
"I am very happy with my van. It makes my life so much easier!" - Pam C.
"My buying experience couldn't have been better. Alex is great!" - Ray M.
"Terrance is a great salesman and helped us through all of the confusion. He is great to work with -- very professional and helpful. He gets an A+ from us." - Richard and Nelma B.
"Nor-Cal Mobility makes us feel like family!" - Robert W.
"I'm a very satisfied customer at Nor-Cal Mobility. Good place, good crew!" - Robin W.
"The people at Nor-Cal Mobility are just great to work with!" - Stephen C.
"Al and his staff are great! They are all very knowledgeable and demonstrated great customer service!" - Suzanne Z.
"Courtney was extremely helpful throughout the whole process and was impeccable in his follow-up. Because of his dilligence, I've already been able to recommend Nor-Cal Mobility to two other disabled persons interested in buying a vehicle." - Thomas L.
 

MPD Foot Control Crescent Industries Touch Pad MPD Hand Control

 
Driving controls, called driving aids in the modified vehicle industry, must be appropriate for individual needs and abilities. It is highly recommended you be evaluated by a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS).

Hand Controls
Hand controls allow drivers to operate gas and brake controls by hand instead of foot. Original pedals are not affected, so the vehicle can be driven normally by other drivers. The vehicle should also have power brakes and power steering. If the vehicle you are purchasing comes with power adjustable gas and brake pedals, this feature must be made inoperable prior to having hand controls installed.

The most popular mechanically operated hand controls use a single horizontal rod that pushes towards the pedals for brake and down towards the lap for acceleration.

To choose between these hand controls, you must evaluate the unique operating characteristics of each control and decide if they are right for you. For example, the push-right angle pull hand control uses mostly upper arm muscles and requires space between the knee and the steering wheel to operate. On the other hand, the twist-grip control uses mostly wrist muscles for acceleration. Whatever hand control you choose should not cause you to tire quickly.

Getting the proper fit between the car, driver and hand control is the key to proper function and comfort. The driver must fit comfortably inside the car while allowing sufficient space for the hand control to work. But don't overlook something more basic. First, the driver needs to decide if the transfer into the car and stowing the wheelchair is too much work. If it is and it keeps you from going places, then you need to try a different vehicle. There is no magic formula for finding a new car; just the fun and frustration of searching for the right vehicle.

Hand control installation is critical to both fit and safety. Installers make sure the hand control is adjusted properly and out of the way of the knees and feet. They also make sure all parts are tightened properly, no wires are pinched and, where possible, the airbag system is operational. Also, hand controls can be adjusted so they are not too close to the steering wheel or door. On some models, the amount of travel and strength needed to push the accelerator can be adjusted. The force needed to brake, however, is almost always controlled by the resistance built into the car's brake system.

Guidosimplex has been manufacturing state-of-the art hand controls for more than 50 years, and is now introducing its latest products to the United States and Canada. Designed, manufactured and produced at the company's headquarters in Rome, all Guidosimplex devices provide a solution to most driving disabilities. Nor-Cal Mobility, Inc. is the West Coast distributor for Guidosimplex products.

Most manufacturers require training courses for installers to make sure that the installation is safe. The hand control manufacturers can direct you to a certified installer in your area. Also they can explain their warranties, insurance and safety procedures. First-time purchasers of hand controls should obtain driving instructions from a trained driver rehabilitation specialist. You can find one near you by contacting ADED, the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, at 800-290-7067 or by visiting www.aded.net.

Foot Controls
The left foot accelerator is recommended by driver evaluators for drivers to accelerate using their left foot. It is equipped with a guard to prevent the driver from inadvertently resting their right foot on the accelerator pedal. The left foot accelerator incorporates a quick-release mechanism and is easily removable without tools for ambulatory drivers. A doctor's prescription is necessary prior to the installation of this foot control, and subsequent training is required. Pedal extensions help drivers who cannot reach these foot controls without sitting too close to the driver's air bag. Gas and brake extensions ranging from about an inch to 12 inches are possible.

Pedal guards are recommended by driver evaluators to be used with foot controls. The guard protects drivers from inadvertently resting their feet on or under the gas or brake pedal. A quick-release mount allows ambulatory drivers to easily remove the device without tools and have full use of the pedals.

Voice Controls
A typical driving system for a quad would include a hand control for the primary controls, gas and brake, and a steering device for the steering wheel. Secondary controls, like gearshift, wipers and headlights, can be found on strategically located switch pads.

But taking hands and arms that are not functioning at 100 percent off the steering wheel or hand controls can create problems. The driver has to find the switches and return to the steering wheel or hand control, which takes time and diverts the driver's attention. Obviously, the more severe the disability, the tougher this maneuver is to complete. For some drivers, voice recognition is a safer way to drive. It is available as part of the AEVIT and Digi-Drive systems manufactured by Electronic Mobility Controls.

EMC's Voice Interactive Control, nicknamed VIC, has been recently updated. It features 16 functions and also communicates to the driver the status of the AEVIT power-assisted driving system. During training the driver sets up the system, which can be programmed for the user's voice in up to 10 languages. A wireless headset is optional.

To use VIC, the driver hits a switch to activate the system. After VIC responds with a tone, commands can be given to the system, which in turn operates headlights, wipers, climate control or any other pre-programmed function.

The Crescent Industries Voice Scan system is the exact opposite of the VIC system, but does the same job. Instead of the driver talking, Voice Scan talks to the driver.

Like the VIC system, the Voice Scan only requires one switch to operate up to 16 functions. Pressing a button activates the system. When the needed function is announced, the operator presses the button again and the system turns that function on or off. If the system announces "Left turn signal,” pushing the button turns on the left turn signal. The horn, windshield wipers, turn signals, dimmer, cruise control, power windows, climate control and radio can all be controlled by Voice Scan.

Both systems do have limitations, so they are not for everyone. The systems do not work as fast as tapping a switch, if that's physically possible for the driver. They require patience to set up, learn and operate. They also cost up to $5,000. Voice recognition systems for drivers with disabilities seem to be in their infancy. But they should improve rapidly since the technology is being brought to the general public. And, like computers, prices will decrease.