Basic Information on Low-Tech Hand Control Systems for Autos

For seniors and those with progressive muscle weakness, like MS, MD and others who have trouble driving, hand controls can compensate for decreasing strength and range of motion. Occupational therapists often recommend such devices.

Low-tech hand controls are less costly ($100s) than high-tech ones ($1,000s), although electronics can be used in conjunction with mechanical controls to customize systems.

The four basic low-tech designs are:

  • Push/pull: Push the control forward to brake; and pull back and hold to accelerate. Not the most popular control as it must be pulled toward you and held to maintain speed, requiring more arm strength.
  • Push/twist: Like on a motorcycle, it requires twisting the handle for the gas and pushing the hand control lever for the brakes. Unlike the push/pull in that the driver doesn’t have to pull the lever back and hold to accelerate.
  • Push/right angle: (Most popular) Drivers push forward for the brakes. Push down toward your thigh with a slight pull to your torso for acceleration. Acceleration with the push/right is less fatiguing than push/pull as the weight of your hand holds the desired speed.
  • Push/rock: Not necessary to keep a grip on the control. The driver rocks his or her hand on the top of the handle, rocking back to accelerate and forward to apply the brakes, like a slot machine.

All four can be mounted on the right or left side depending on your preference or abilities.

Some manufacturers offer push/twist and push/pull hand controls with power assist, making it easier to operate and alleviating the fatigue factor. Power assist also accommodates drivers with limited range of motion.

If manual controls are still too difficult, the added power assist could do the trick, and cost less than electronic controls.
There are also high-tech solutions available.

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The Great Outdoors: National Parks Offer 3 More Free Days this Year

National Parks offer several free entrance days a year, and there are 3 left for 2011: June 21, September 24 and Veterans Day weekend November 11-13. That’s a $25 savings per carload at parks that charge entrance fees. Even if you have a free or discounted pass, it’s still a good deal because it includes everyone in the vehicle. Just pack up and go!

“Golden” passes have been discontinued and can be replaced with Senior Passes or Access Passes (for those with disabilities). To replace the older passes for use on non-free days, see below:

People with Disabilities: The Access Pass is limited to the vehicle, the pass holder plus three adults. A per-person fee is charged for more than four. (Children under 16 are always free.) But on free days you can fill up that van with the neighborhood at no charge.

Access Pass

  • Go to any National Park Service facility that charges an entrance fee.
  • Show proof of medically determined disability, like a statement by a licensed physician; document issued by a Federal agency such as the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security Disability Income or Supplemental Security Income; or document issued by a State agency such as a Vocational Rehabilitation agency.

Senior Pass

  • U.S. citizens at least 62 years old can purchase a Senior Pass for a one-time fee of $10. It admits you and the passengers in your car into National Parks that charge an entrance fee.
  • In National Parks where a “per person” entrance fee is charged, the Senior Pass admits you plus three other adults (who do not need not be seniors). Children under 16 are free.
  • The pass can only be obtained in person at the park. Take proof of age, such as a valid driver’s license.

For info on accessibility at each National Park, visit www.nps.gov and search “accessibility.” For a list of National Parks by state that offer free days, visit http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm.

To find out more about the mobility equipment, wheelchair vans and other solutions offered by United Access, visit http://www.UnitedAccess.com.  

About United Access: United Access has been providing the latest in adapted vehicles, driving systems and services for over 30 years. They are a member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association and a nationally accredited Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealer with nine locations across the Midwest and Mid-South. They are committed to giving back to the communities they serve through volunteer time, event sponsorships and donations.

 
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Help local youth with Disabilities for as little as $25

 

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Traveling With a Service Animal

On March 15, 2011, the Americans with Disabilities Act changed the definition of a “service animal” as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The rule states that other animals, whether wild or domestic, do not qualify as service animals. It was changed because people with and without disabilities were taking their “service” snake or monkey or parrot to concert halls and other public places, including restaurants, raising a sanitation issue.

Thus, only service dogs are legally allowed in public places.

However, the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) governs service animals on airplanes and the rules are different. Generally, the ACAA requires airlines to allow passengers with disabilities to be accompanied by service animals other than dogs. They are not required to accommodate unusual service animals such as snakes, ferrets and spiders. Check with your airline.

  • If you are traveling with an emotional support or psychiatric service animal, you may be required by the airline to provide 48 hours advance notice. You must also contact the airline if your flight with a service dog is longer than 8 hours.
  • Other federal laws recently enacted include the requirement to provide animal relief areas at airports, which became effective in 2009 for U.S. carriers and 2010 for foreign carriers.

Travel outside the U.S.

If you travel outside the continental U.S. and to islands (like Hawaii), call the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit and with the airline to check which animal health regulations apply.

  • Vaccinations, quarantine laws, etc. may be mandatory. Check with the specific country’s consulate or embassy website. For example, the UK requires six months to elapse after the date of blood test before an animal can enter the country.
  • Foreign carriers are not required to carry service animals other than dogs.

For more information on service dogs, visit www.iaadp.org, the International Association of Assistance Dog Partners (IAADP), a non-profit organization representing people partnered with guide, hearing and service dogs.

To find out more about the mobility equipment, wheelchair vans and other solutions offered by United Access, visit http://www.UnitedAccess.com.  

About United Access: United Access has been providing the latest in adapted vehicles, driving systems and services for over 30 years. They are a member of the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association and a nationally accredited Quality Assurance Program (QAP) dealer with nine locations across the Midwest and Mid-South. They are committed to giving back to the communities they serve through volunteer time, event sponsorships and donations.

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Is it Time for Your Senior Driving Safety Course?

Many of us have not read a driver license handbook since we were 16. For some, that’s more than 50 years ago. In that time, driving laws have changed and the law of gravity has caught up to us. It is time to remedy one of those problems – with a driving refresher or safety school. We can do it by attending a local class or going online.

Local classes update you on changes in traffic laws, signs and signals, and offer safe driving tips. Some also offer behind-the-wheel assessments to sharpen your individual driving skills. Call your auto insurance company to see if it offers a discount for successful completion of a driver safety program.

The best known programs are offered by AARP, the National Safety Council and AAA (or Google “senior driving course” or “mature driving course.”)

AARP

Both online and in-class courses are offered by AARP. Visit www.aarp.com or call 888-AARP-NOW (227-7669) for info on the “55 Alive Mature Driver Program. The classroom course costs $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members. The cost for the online course is $15.95 for members and $19.95 for nonmembers.

To locate a classroom course call toll-free 1-888-AARP-NOW (1-888-227-7669) or visit www.aarp.org/findacourse. Course times, dates and locations are listed along with a phone number to register. To register for the online course, visit aarpdriversafety.org.

AAA

AAA offers its AAA Driver Improvement Program designed to help senior drivers be safer while staying behind the wheel longer. The program is specifically for drivers 55 and older. It delivers tips and techniques to help experienced drivers compensate for changing vision, reflexes and response time; understand how prescription medications may affect driving; and drive defensively in a variety of situations. Call your local AAA for course schedules and locations.

For an online course, visit www.seniordrivers.org. The fee for the online exam is $19.95.

AOTA

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) also offers a program with AAA and AARP for senior drivers, see: http://www.car-fit.org.

National Safety Council

Contact the National Safety Council for information on its “Coaching the Mature Driver Program.” For a training center near you, call 1-800-621-7619 or 1-800-621-6244 or visit www.nsc.org and click on “Safety on the Road.”

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Wounded Warrior Hunt

United Access of Springfield, MO is proud to support Peterson Outdoor Ministreis.  Their mission is to Outdoor Recreational Therapy to Wounded Warriors and their families, as well as youth and adults with disabilities.   They seek to accomplish this through outdoor events such as hunting and fishing adventures offered at no cost to the participant that would provide an atmosphere of encouragement, hope, inspiration and renewal.  To find out what events they have coming up check out their calender.

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Dreams come true thanks to James River Assembly Women’s Conference

One of our Springfield, MO United Access customers had a wonderful story done about her.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo — a local church has steped up to assist a Springfield woman who’s overcome adversity. Karrie White doesn’t know why she was picked by the James River Assembly Women’s Conference. The church has a much different story–it is about a woman who has overcome a lot.

“Ashton was born healthy actually,” Karrie White said about her daughter. Her life has had its share of difficulties. “She was overdosed when she was 13 months old and had a lack of oxygen to her brain for about 12 and a half minutes.”

Her daughter Ashton is a victim of malpractice at the hospital. “She’s diapered and tube fed and she’s 24 hour care,” Karrie said. It left her bedridden for the last 16 years. “It’s a miracle she’s even alive. They didn’t think she’d live five days after she was sick,” Karrie said. 

Her son Tyson was born with Down Syndrome.”He’ll come up to them and say, ‘you sure are pretty today or are you okay? Do you need a hug?’”

Somedays are easier than others. “There are times that are hard and sad,” Karrie said. “Her birthdays and Christmas used to be very difficult for me.” Somehow.. .Karrie remains positive about life. “She’s an amazing kid,” Karrie said about Ashton, “she’s got a lot of spunk.”

That’s why The James River Assembly Women’s Conference helped make her dreams come true. “No matter what,” said Angela Hudson with James River Assembly, “in spite of their circumstances or difficulty they are going through, they still have a joy, they still have faith in God, they still want to help others–which describes Karrie very well.”

With help from the Missouri Eye Institute Karrie received Lasik surgery. “I still get up looking for my glasses. Then I’m like, ‘oh I can see!’” Karrie laughed. She also spent a week at Disneyworld with her son. “I felt unworthy to tell you the truth.”

“It’s a complete surprise every year. They have no idea that it is coming,” Angela said.

“I was in shock. I didn’t know what to say,” Karrie said. 

When Karrie was at DisneyWorld, James River paid for a nurse to stay with her daughter Ashton while her and Tyson were away. Taking trips anywhere is very difficult for Karrie for that very reason.

Karrie does attend James River, but you don’t have to be from the church in order to be nominated. You can call James River at 417-581-5433. The Women’s Conference will be held September 22,23,24 of 2011.

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ARC Christmas Extravaganza

Randy Talley from our Springfield, MO store went to the ARC Christmas Extravaganza.  It was held at the Tower Club in Springfield, and it was packed.  In fact they are going to have to move the event next year because they are out of room.  There were over 300 people there to support the ARC foundation.  Ned Reynolds, local TV personality was the MC, and entertainment was provided by Zachary Slaight, from Drury University along with the MSU Pride Christmas Ensemble.  Dinner was wonderful, and a good time was had by all.  United Access is proud to be involved in events like this!

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Personalized Letters from Santa Fundraiser

United Access in Springfield, MO is working with the Southwest Center for Independent Living (SCIL) to make the holidays extra special…

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Invention Day in Springfield, MO

Jim Pearcy from our Springfield, MO United Acces store used to take his race car to his daughters school on career day. He recently destroyed the car in a racing deal last month, so instead of doing career day, he postponed, and took a EMC equipped VMI van on Inventions Day at her school.

He visited Field Elementary School in Springfield Mo. There were 3 classrooms that got to see the vehicle and see that with the right equipment anybody can drive. He also took a Sure-grip hand control display to show the wide range of options available. The kids had already built different Kinetic mechanical displays, and we discussed Inventions, improving on inventions, and how even simple inventions can be used in the mobility industry.

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