Archive for car

Swivel Seats: Everything you need to know

Posted by Mark on

April 22, 2022

Vehicle seating made simple

Swivel seats can offer a great alternative to wheelchair accessible vehicles, enabling both drivers and passengers to transfer into and out of standard vehicles more easily.

Free assessment service

However, they do not work for everyone – with only one in every three people making a viable candidate, it is vital that every client has had a full demonstration and assessment with us. This free-of-charge service enables us to determine which type of swivel seat will best meet a customer’s needs and the suitability of the vehicle being considered.

Click here for further information on our free assessment service.

Types of swivel seats

Standard swivel seats

There are a number of variations of the standard swivel seat available, from fully manual to fully programmable. Semi manual and/or electric versions are also available.

Lowering swivel seats

These seats turn out 90 degrees from the vehicle, then electrically lower to allow easier transfer from a wheelchair, or from standing. Because they lower, these models are suitable for vehicles with higher seating positions (e.g. MPVs and SUVs).

The swivel function can either be manual or electric, or the seat can be fully programmable.

Manual

Manual swivel seats are the base model, with a manually operated swivel and forward/backward movement. In many cases, this is all that is needed. However, if the seat has a lowering function, this will be controlled electrically.

Electric

These seats are available with an electric swivel function, electric forward/backward movement, electric lowering/raising or a combination of all three.

Programmable

Unlike manual and electric swivel seats, a programmable seat is fully automated. To maximise legroom our technicians will programme the seat’s movements for each vehicle individually. This allows these seats to be fitted in a wider range of vehicles than most other seat types.

The Carony Wheelchair System

The Carony is a wheelchair system that is compatible with the majority of swivel seats. Designed for people who struggle to transfer from their wheelchair into a swivel seat, these systems feature glide rails that allow the car seat to slide onto a wheelchair base. The seat then detaches, allowing it to be used as an everyday wheelchair.

Models include Carony Classic, which operates with a manual wheelchair base, Carony Go, which is designed for use with an electric wheelchair base and Carony Kids and Carony GS, which are designed specifically for children.

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Three things for disabled drivers to look for in an EV

Posted by Mark on

April 7, 2022

One of the most important aspects of adult independence is being able to get around by yourself. Whether you’re going to work, meeting a friend, or simply going to the shop to choose your own groceries, being able to drive can be an essential part of this. It’s especially important for those who live in rural areas, who may struggle to access public transportation, or for those with disabilities, who might find it difficult to use buses or trains.

But the purchase of any car is a big investment, let alone an electric vehicle (EV), which is often more expensive than a standard petrol vehicle. It’s important to make sure that whatever you purchase, it’s the right choice for you, rather than just the one that’s been recommended. Reviews are a great place to start, but you’ll need to consider what your specific requirements are going to be.

But what should people with disabilities be looking for when choosing an EV? We take a look at some of the key elements.

Ease of charging your EV

If you’re only doing relatively short journeys, then you should be able to simply charge your EV at home each night, rather than needing to look for charging stations whilst you’re out and about. This can make things a lot easier, but you should consider what type of charging point you’re going to need and where you’ll need to park in order to charge the car.

You should also look at the charging cable, and pick it up to check how heavy it is and how hard or easy it is to manoeuvre. Whilst an EV cable offers non-grip charging, which can be easier for people with joint pain or lack of hand mobility, they can be weighty to move around, so it’s worth trying out this process before you buy.

Possibility for adaptions

EVs can be a great choice for disabled drivers, as they offer a smooth ride and can be easily adapted to make driving easier for those with mobility issues. Additional controls such as hand controls, electronic accelerators, steering aids, and pedal modifications mean that people who may otherwise struggle to control traditional gears and levers can still have the freedom of driving.

There is a range of electronic accelerators available, meaning that you can further personalise your vehicle to your exact needs. This technology is placed on the steering wheel or behind it. When you’re looking at choosing an EV, if you think you might benefit from this technology, then why not come in for a free assessment and we’ll help you find what works best for your needs.

EV Range

It’s important to consider the length of the journeys that you’ll typically be doing in your EV. Whilst there will be some exceptions, if you’re primarily doing short journeys, then this will give you a wider range of cars to choose from. If you’re regularly doing long journeys, it may be worth comparing the ranges of different models. Unfortunately, it’s not always easy to find an accessible charging point, and you’d need to factor in pausing to charge, so it’s an important part of choosing the right car for you.

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Adaptations and Vehicle Compatibility

Posted by Jean Cheesman on

December 18, 2017

For Motability customers looking for a vehicle that can be adapted, ordering the adaptations through your dealership when they order their car is “the only way to take advantage of the great prices the Motability scheme offers.”…

However, not all adaptations are suitable for every type of car; the best approach is to consider the compatibility of the car with the adaptations that are required in mind.

This is where we come in to help you and your customer!

Ergomobility are well-established experts in the industry with over 20 years experience in vehicle adaptations and working to help disabled drivers and passengers stay mobile.

We are trusted by over 600 Motability accredited car dealerships across the South East of England, as well as thousands of private clients.

We encourage you to call us when you’re with a customer if they’re unsure of the adaptations they need or, they know what they need but you must determine if their favoured vehicle is suitable for these adaptations.

As well as giving practical advice on the telephone and via email, we can also arrange a face to face adaptation demonstration with your customer before they order their new car from you. This gives complete peace of mind. The last thing anyone wants is for a vehicle to be ordered only to find it’s not compatible with the adaptations required.

As specialists in our field, we have established connections with a wide range of industry professionals… so, even if adaptations are not the right solution, we can still offer support and guidance.

So please get in touch with us!

Every day we talk to dealers and their customers. We’ve been doing this for over 20 years, working in partnership with over 600 Motability dealerships.

Make sure you take advantage of our adaptations experience and expertise.

Get in touch with Egomobility by CLICKING HERE.

Adaptations

Tags : adaptation, Adaptations, assessment, car, compatibility, dealerships, Disability, disability vehicle, motability, motability specialists, vehicle, Vehicle Adaptation, vehicle adaptations

Not Every Disabled Driver Needs an Adapted Car

Posted by Jean Cheesman on

November 22, 2017

Adapted cars are expensive. There’s no getting around it. So it’s no wonder people ask the question, “Do I really need and adapted car?” And the answer is, quite often, no. If you’re unsure, you can always get in touch with us for a free assessment but, in the meantime, here are some helpful tips on what to look out for in your next car if you’re not having it adapted (or even if you are).

As you will see a car doesn’t always have to be adapted to enable a disabled driver to drive safely and in comfort.

So without further ado, here’s a summary of the tips:

Look for a car…

1. That is an automatic with cruise control

If you struggle with changing gears, especially in heavy traffic, an automatic car may be the solution. Cruise control can also provide convenience on those long journeys as well as prevent you from accidentally speeding.

2. That has sufficiently light power-assisted steering

Heavy steering can often be a cause for concern when driving, especially for those lacking in upper-body strength. ensuring your new car has light power-assisted steering will make parking and operating the vehicle in tight spaces a lot simpler and easier.

3. Electrically operated seats, preferably heated

Electrically operated seats can make finding the perfect driving position a simple affair. And if you can get them heated, even better. This will help those stiff and aching joints on those cold winter mornings.

4. With no sills or narrow sills

Wide door sills can make ingress and egress from the car a difficult task for those with limited mobility. ensuring the sills are as narrow as possible will ensure you’ll be able to continue using the vehicle for many years to come.

5. With conveniently placed handholds

Should you need some extra leverage, some conveniently placed handholds will make getting in and out a lot easier.

6. With remote central locking, preferably keyless

Keyless remote central locking is not only convenient but can be essential for those with limited mobility in their hands, eliminating the need to fiddle with small buttons.

7. With push-button start

Again, a push-button start eliminated the need for those with limited hand mobility to insert a key and turn it. With the key in their pocket or purse, the driver can simply start the car at the push of a large, red button.

8. With an automatic tailgate

An automatic tailgate is a must-have for those who have limited upper-body strength. The simple push of a button will open and close your car’s tailgate, negating the need for any heavy lifting.

9. With a boot with a low sill, or that has no sill at all

Lifting items out of the boot and over a high boot sill may not only be inconvenient but downright impossible for some. Find yourself a car with a boot sill that is level with the floor of the boot for maximum convenience.

If you’re unsure whether an adaptation may be helpful then you can contact us on 01444 882233, info@ergomobility.co.uk or from our convenient contact page.