Cars, trucks becoming better equipped for those with physical limitations

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http://www.detnews.com/2004/autosinsider/0407/28/autos-221417.htm

Cars, trucks becoming better equipped for those with physical limitations

.... Automakers, increasingly aware of the needs of drivers like McIntyre,

are placing greater emphasis on building cars, trucks and vans that are more

accessible to people with mobility and other physical limitations. That¹s

going to be especially important as baby boomers age. ... The cars that

make that transition as easy as possible are going to be more desirable for

everyone in general.²

On the Net:

General Motors Corp.: www.gm.com/

Ford Motor Co.: www.ford.com/

DaimlerChrysler AG: www.daimlerchrysler.com

Edmunds.com: www.edmunds.com

Toyota Motor Co.p.: www.toyota.com

Arthritis Foundation: www.arthritis.org

.... Considering a new vehicle and have arthritis or another physical

challenge? Think about these issues before selecting a new car, truck or

van:

Ignition: Does the vehicle have a dash-mounted ignition?

Steering wheel-mounted ignitions require a twist of the wrist to get the car

started a challenge for those with upper-body mobility challenges.

Dash-mounted ignitions get the vehicle moving with less dexterity required

of the driver.

Transmission: Is the vehicle equipped with an automatic transmission?

Wheelchair users relying on hand controls will have difficulty shifting

manually. Fortunately, nearly all vehicles today are available with an

automatic transmission.

Controls: Are the vehicle's knobs and switches large and easy to identify?

Tiny knobs and switches can be daunting for those with conditions such as

arthritis.

Shifter: Is the vehicle equipped with a buttonless shifter? Many shifters

require drivers to depress a button to shift from park. This can be painful

for some arthritis sufferers and impossible for those with more severe

upper-body mobility issues. With a buttonless shifter, the need for such

dexterity is eliminated.

Locks and Windows: Does the vehicle feature power locks and windows? Manual

locks and windows can be difficult to use. And if the vehicle will be

operated with hand controls, power windows are especially useful at toll

booths.

Seats: For people with certain mobility challenges, bench seats are

preferred because they're roomier and easier to access. Also, does the

vehicle offer a power-adjustable driver seat? Power-adjustable seats allow

drivers to alter the seat to best suit their physical needs.

Entry: Is the vehicle equipped with remote keyless entry? The twisting

that's required to place a key in a lock and open a car door can be

difficult or impossible for those with upper-body mobility issues. Also, are

door openings wide enough to get in and out of easily? Wider door openings

also make it easier to load and unload wheelchairs and scooters.

Pedals: Does the vehicle offer adjustable pedals? This feature allows the

driver to ergonomically optimize his or her seating position so the vehicle

may be powered with minimum strain on the legs and feet.

Cruise Control: Does the vehicle offer cruise control? Cruise control frees

the driver from having to keep his or her foot on the gas pedal and can be

helpful for those with lower-body mobility issues. Even more useful is

adaptive cruise control, which automatically decreases vehicle speed, if

necessary, to keep a safe distance between vehicles.

Source: Edmunds.com