Looking at using technology to help users of wheel chairs

Out in this world today, life is hectic with everyone rushing around. Unfortunately, there are sections of the population who are not able to rush at all. I am writing about the people who are in wheelchairs and due to a disability are not always able to get access to work or services. It may be that a disabled person is well able to work, but society has placed obstacles in their way which make their lives very difficult.

One of the difficulties is that access arrangements for disabled people have not kept up with the pace of scientific and technological progress. In some cases, it has been possible to improve conditions by creating platforms, but there is still the difficulty for wheelchair users and that is actually using a platform or wheelchair lift.

One solution for employers or managers of public buildings is to install a disabled lift or a platform lift with power. A powered platform lift can help to overcome the difficulty a person has when there is a hindrance to their movement. If you visualise a wheelchair lift that can be found at the back of a van these platform lifts are used in a similar way. When the owner has set his wheelchair in a position on the lift, he or she is able to use a special control pad to raise the lift at their own convenience.

At ddalifts, we produce many variations of a disability lift that can be designed with a specific purpose in mind.

what local agency is available for helping disabled find help? Port Charlotte, FL?

Looking for group/agency that provides assistance to the disabled as to what is available to them, such as installing wheel chair ramp, getting lift for car to transport elec. wheelchair, etc. Looking for an agency in Port Charlotte, FL area.

Is there a race or charity event to help me raise money for handicap accessible vehicle for my daughter?

My daughter has Cerebral Palsy and is in a wheelchair. Currently I have a minivan, but will need to replace it within a year due to my daughter growing and our need for a bigger vehicle. I cannot afford a van payment and was wondering if anyone knew of a charity event, running race, or anything that could help me raise money for it. I would be as involved as possible and would work extremely hard. I am looking at needing around $10,000 based on what we require for a van. Any ideas?
I live in Massachusetts.

Is there any funding or charitable organizations to help a disabled artist?

Disabled and very talented artist can not go to his studio to do his art because he needs a wheelchair accessible van to take him there. Are there any charitable organizations or grants available. Also he is looking to see if there is any grants out there to fund his “walk aide” that will get him out of a wheelchair. The insurance only covers if he has MS not a coma stroke patient. Thank you,

What help is there for disabled senior citizens who need home repairs, cleaning, security in OKC?

I have a dear friend, who is about 70-80. He has had his legs broken in a car accident (he was a pedestrian) and now walks with a cane. He is still working in his own business, although I would assume not very well, due to his mobility problems and the fact that he is often quite broke.

I used to drop by and bring him food, but unfortunately cannot do so anymore, since I have fallen on hard times myself.

His home is very unsanitary and is piled high with boxes. He himself realizes that it is a fire hazard, thank god, and uses only a bathroom heater for heat, because he is afraid the other heater would catch the house on fire.

His roof has had a major leak and he now has mold throughout the house. It is bad enough that it is making my fiance and his mother both very sick even to walk to the porch. They have asthma and allergies.

He has roaches so bad that they even crawl on you when you come in.

His kitchen is so filthy, he has trash everywhere and dishes are dirty. I’m not even sure he eats in there anymore.

He also recently told me that he had been “hit” (by thieves) three times in one week. The first night (and I was there that night, and left before he got home, as I was taking care of his cats while he was out of town), I saw a suspicious looking truck park outside his house. I waited to see if they were going to his house, and when they got out and went across the street, I left. Apparently, later that night, they stole things off his trailer.

He has been sleeping in his van since that happened, and then last night, he was going to go to the bathroom, and his cats ran off all of a sudden, at the same time he heard people. He went back, and a truck was backing quickly through the alleyway.

Tonight, they stole things from his house WHILE HE WAS THERE!!!!

I am at my wit’s end as to what can be done to protect him. Please give me some advice or referrals? I’m afraid to call DHS or someone, because I’m afraid his house will be condemned, or he will have everything taken away and be institutionalized. He isn’t senile, he is just physically disabled and unable to fix these problems, and unfortunately, I am just about the only person he can count on, and I am unable to fix this enormous of a problem.

I think he should be in a “Independent Living” type situation, where there is someone to check on him, but not watch his every move, and where he can come and go freely, as long as someone knows where he is for extended absences. Someplace where he can keep his cats, but has to downsize his “THINGS”, which are proving to be very dangerous for him!!! He does still work, which requires travel, but he is unable to clean his house, fix the problems with it, or protect himself.

Need wheelchair accessible SUV or something 4wd, dont want a van, help please?

have disabled daughter, live in country, really need 4wheel drive, I am hoping a van isnt my only option, does anyone know of any other options? thanks for the help….

I’m a quad & I’m looking for 4 some help to purchase a handicap accessible van.Can anyone help me?

I am not able to go anywhere or do anything besides going to the doctor through the cabs company that Medicaid provide. I am 19 years old and a mother of a 2 1/2 year old daughter and I feel like I am missing out on a lot of stuff. I know that there has to be some kind of help out there somewhere that can help me purchase the type of handicapped accessible van that I need. If someone out there can help me out in any way possible no matter how small you think it might be. God bless you all.

looking for a used handicapped van can anyone help me?

Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles Can Help The Disabled Travel Independently

It is time to be the driver of a wheelchair accessible vehicle rather than being the passenger and being dependent on others for transportation. This is the first step in becoming independent. Getting a wheelchair accessible vehicle means choosing exactly where and whenever you wish to go, such as to the office, to work, shopping or to be outside, enjoying the sun and being leisurely. Individuals who use a wheelchair ultimately want to be able to access the world like their peers. Anything that brings them towards self-sufficiency and without assistance from others will be a great aid.

Accessible automobiles can be used by paraplegics, people with spinal cord defects, injury victims, those with severe arthritis and people with limited mobility that have restrictions with the use of their legs.

Any cars that have an automatic transmission can be changed into accessible automobiles. The process requires some installation of hand controls or portable hand controls. Once installed, either one will provide benefits to the user in the vehicle. Best of all, those without disabilities can still drive the car or van. These are simply attachments that make it easier for the disabled but not harder for the abled. The driver has a choice to use the controls or ignore them. The vehicle would still be functioning as would the pedals of the vehicle.

Handicap hand controls are simple to add on and easy to disassemble from a car or van. They fit most vehicles with an automated transmission. After a couple of minutes of tightening and screwing work on the steering wheel, gas and break petals, the hand controls are ready to be used. Hire a professional to install them if you have any hesitation. It is better pay more to assure the proper installation than for the controls to fall apart while driving. Almost any car can be a handicap vehicle.

Handicap accessible vans and/or minivans are available from Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Toyota and others. These personally customized handicap vehicles can include low floors, higher ceilings, lifts and ramps for wheelchairs, tie-downs to keep the wheelchair in place, and transfer seats. Wheelchair entry can be created on the side entry or the rear or back entry with the van. Custom made specifications can be made in accordance with your abilities. Choose more power features and remote manage items if needed. Some of these features of handicap vehicles include parking brakes that are controlled by a switch and electric wheelchair locking techniques. There are also options that have joystick steering.

Other items you should include on to a wheelchair accessible vehicle are remote controls, remote starter, and a source of communication, for example, a cell telephone. These will help improve the usability of the vehicles for the disabled persons and prepare them in case of any accidents.

Does anyone know where I might find help to get a handicap accessible van for my mother?

My mother is about to turn 52 this year, but she is young at heart. She is my best friend. For seven years she has been in and out of nursing homes due to morbid obesity (which she still struggles with even after having risked her life to get roux-n-y gastric bypass that she was faithfully promised by her physician at the time would be the be-all-end all to her weight problem) and a broken leg that the Dallas, Texas veteran’s hospital (where she was being seen at the time because my father is a permanently disabled war veteran and she gets health care because she is his wife) repaired improperly.

We are finally bringing her home, but we either need a van gifted, or even if someone would take a chance on us and let us pay one off, that would be a miracle! We need a heavy-duty full size van with a heavy-duty power wheelchair lift (my mother is 350 lbs before you even take the weight of her power chair into account). Thank you for your help and God bless!