Archive for motability – Page 4

What is a WAV and does your customer need one?

WAVA WAV, or Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle, starts out life as a standard vehicle before a specialist conversion company makes a number of structural alterations to allow a wheelchair user to access and remain in their wheelchair – as a driver or passenger.

These vehicles are not supplied through the standard Motability dealer network. They are only supplied through the converters themselves.

But does your customer need a WAV or not?

If your customer can transfer out of their wheelchair without too much discomfort and effort then a standard car fitted with adaptations could be the answer.

Adaptations may include:

Wheelchair/scooter boot hoists

Swivel seats

Person hoists

Transfer plates

Wheelchair roof top boxes

But we don’t expect you to know the answer to this question! We are always here to talk to your customer and, if necessary, arrange a demonstration and an assessment to ensure they get the right vehicle from you at the very outset.

Should you wish to talk to us about WAVs, or any other adaptations, you can contact us on 01444 882233

, info@ergomobility.co.uk or from our convenient contact page.

Mid-Term Motability Adaptations

We were asked a question by a Motability salesman a few days ago and as it’s not the first time, so we thought it was worth sharing.

The question was, “Can a Motability customer have further adaptations added to their vehicle during its lease period?”

The short answer is yes, your customer can have adaptations fitted to their vehicle during its lease period (after handover). However, they must advise Motability beforehand and the vehicle must be suitable for the adaptations. If it is, your customer must pay the Motability Adaptation Specialist directly.

There are a few reasons why someone may need adaptations fitted after the vehicle handover:

  • An unforseen change in their disability or circumstances.
  • The client hadn’t realised which adaptations were available to them.
  • Something was missed by the client, dealer or adaptations specialist at the time of ordering the vehicle.

Obviously, a change in disability cannot be predicted and therefore adding extra adaptations is unavoidable.

The other two circumstances may be avoided if the adaptations specialist takes the time to speak to your client at the time of ordering.

At Ergomobility we always contact your customer before adapting their vehicle. We sometimes find that they would benefit from additional adaptations, many of which they may not be aware of and are often free under the Motability scheme. For example, a customer requesting hand controls may also benefit from a steering ball, indicator switch and pedal guard.

It is our mission to ensure we find the best solution for your customer first time, every time, so they can enjoy their car for the entire period of their vehicle lease, without the need for additional adaptations.

You can contact our friendly and knowledgeable team on 01444 882233 or info@ergomobility.co.uk. Alternatively, head on over to our contact page and fill out the enquiry form.

Am I The Worst Salesman Ever?!

I thought I’d share a story with you regarding a demonstration I did a few weeks ago, here at our HQ in Sussex. It proves that occasionally the best solution to a client’s problems doesn’t have to cost them a bean…

My client, let’s call her Mrs D, was having trouble getting into the front passenger seat of her new car. She wanted a demonstration of a swivel seat as she had been on our website and thought this was the answer to her problem.

I do a lot of swivel seat demonstrations, but my experience is such that I always start with trying to understand the problems the client is facing, rather than being swayed by what they think the solution may be.

Mrs. D. entered the passenger door backwards, sat on the side of the seat and started to swing her legs into the car. It was clear that she was struggling to do this, so she tried to push herself round on the seat instead.

Upon closer inspection, I realised that her trousers were clinging to the seat material and making it very difficult for her to swing her legs over the sill of the car.

The solution?

Two plastic bags! I placed these on the passenger seat which eliminated the friction and Mrs D was able to complete the manoeuvre with virtually no problems.

As you can imagine, she was very happy with this solution. As for me, I’ve been running Ergomobility long enough to know that finding the right solution to a client’s needs is always the best outcome of any demonstration.  And in this case it was a couple of plastic bags and not a highly profitable swivel seat!

Please click here to see further product information on our website.

Electronic Hand Controls

Electronic hand controls on the Motability Scheme are almost always electronic accelerator with a standard mechanical brake. They are designed for people who have a need for hand controls to operate the brake and accelerator but who also may suffer from upper body weakness. (The purpose of making the controls electronic is that they are extremely light and easy to operate compared to the mechanical variety).

As well as being some of the most technically advanced adaptations you will encounter on the Motability Scheme, they also come in all shapes and sizes for different people’s disabilities:

You can have Over Ring, Under Ring, Trigger, Twist Grip, Satellite, Floor mounted, Standard Push, Radial, etc… Not to mention the 5 or 6 different manufacturers listed on the Motability Scheme.

When it comes to adaptations, I would recommend that, as a Motability Specialist, you make sure your customer has had advice from an accredited Adaptation Specialist and/or Driving Assessment Centre. Assessing a customer’s requirements can be very complicated and there is a risk that, otherwise, they may end up with something that is unsuitable, causing real inconvenience to the customers (and yourselves).

Motability are now insisting that any Adaptation Specialists working with the Motability Scheme are fully trained and accredited by the Adaptation Manufacturers directly. This means the list of approved fitters around the country is now much smaller and this ensures that only the most experienced are able to fit these controls on the scheme.

Electronic Hand Controls are a fantastic product and have made it possible for many disabled drivers to drive when they would have struggled to do so with mechanical systems. However, seeking professional advice is essential before ordering.

Please click here to see further product information on our website.

Ergomobility Sussex
Units 1 – 4, Crosspost Industrial Park,
Cowfold Road, Bolney,
West Sussex, RH17 5QU

Telephone: 01444 882233

Ergomobility Thames Valley
Tylorstown,
Caversham
Reading, RG4 7XW

Telephone: 0118 321 8193

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Ergomobility is a trading name of Equivalent Engineering Ltd. VAT Registered Number 776341117
Company registered in Cardiff number 4321179 Registered office – Units 1 to 4, Crosspost Industrial Park, Cowfold Road, Bolney, RH17 5QU