Hand accelerators and brakes
The most common types of devices are:
- Push/Pull – typically these allow control of the vehicle by method of alever that is pushed/pulled in one direction to accelerate and in the opposite to brake, these can either be fitted next to the steering wheel or a floor mounted lever.
- Radial controls – these are similar to push/pull controls but involve a lever being turned in a radial motion.
- Steering wheel ring – this is a ring fitted to either the front or rear of the steering wheel allowing the driver to squeeze the ring and steering wheel together to accelerate the vehicle. Alone a steering wheel ring will not constitute an adaptation; one additional adaptation should be present for the ‘adapted vehicle’ definition to apply.
Alternative steering methods (excluding Steering spinners)
The most common types of devices are:
- Joystick steering – these allow control of the vehicle by method of a joystick.
- Foot steering – this will involve a device being placed in the foot well to allow the driver to control the vehicle by using their feet.
- Horizontal steering wheels – these normally involve the standard steering wheel being removed and a specialist device being installed.
- Tillers – again these will normally involve the standard steering wheel being replaced. Commonly the replacement device will look like motorcycle handle bars.
Steering spinners
These are devices that are attached to steering wheels to aid the rotation of the wheel, the most common type is a steering knob. Alone these will not constitute an adaptation; one additional adaptation, excluding infrared controls, should be present for the ‘adapted vehicle’ definition to apply.
Infrared controls
These are commonly used in conjunction with steering spinners to allow fingertip controls for functions such as indicating, light and windscreen wipers. Alone these will not constitute an adaptation; one additional adaptation, excluding steering spinners, should be present for the ‘adapted vehicle’ definition to apply.
Easy release hand brake
This could consist of either a device being attached to the hand brake to ease its use, or the hand brake being replaced by an electronic button system. Alone these will not constitute an adaptation; one additional adaptation should be present for the ‘adapted vehicle’ definition to apply.
Hoists and ramps
These are normally provided as a convenience to aid manoeuvring wheelchairs in and out of the rear of vehicles.
Rooftop wheelchair stowage
If the boot space of a vehicle is required for other purposes, a rooftop stowage box may be present. These typically contain a device to raise/lower a wheelchair from the ground, folding/unfolding it in the process.
Missing driver’s seat
It is possible for a vehicle to be modified so a driver can operate the vehicle from their wheelchair.
