As with most things, when choosing a car with a disability, there are additional requirements to take into consideration. These considerations will differ, depending on your specific disability. This issue isn’t just one that disabled drivers face. As a disabled passenger (I’m not allowed to drive because of my basilar type migraine), I have needs that make impossible to travel in certain makes and models of cars. As Dan and I recently picked out a new car, I thought I’d share my tips for choosing a car with a disability.
Tips For Choosing A Car With A Disability: Know What You Need
Knowing what you need, and being able to articulate this is important in choosing a car. After all, if you don’t know what you need in the first place how can the car dealership help you find the right care for you? When we buy a car, Dan does most of the talking. He knows what I need and is better able to express this. This works for us because Dan is the only driver. I just need to be there to check I can get in and out of the car ok and that the lighting is ok for me.
If you aren’t confident about remembering all the things that you need for your or you aren’t comfortable explaining them, consider taking someone who knows you well along with you. If there’s no one who can visit the car dealership with you, making notes of everything you need will mean that you aren’t going to forget anything.
Some things to consider:
- How will you transfer your wheelchair into the car?
- Do you need a ramp or hoist for your wheelchair?
- Do you need adaptive controls?
- Are the seats at the right height for you to get in and out of comfortably?
- Do you need to check that the sounds the car makes aren’t going to be problematic for you?
- Do you need to check the internal and external lighting?
- Is there somewhere safe for your assistance dog to ride in the car?
Tips For Choosing A Car With A Disability: Test Everything You Need To
When Dan and I went to look at cars, we knew it was important that we check my wheelchair would go into the car. As this was the first time we’d been car shopping with me as a wheelchair user, we weren’t sure how happy the dealership would be about this. We were thrilled when the person we spoke to suggested that we try putting the wheelchair in the car! We’d have done it anyway, regardless of their feelings, but it was nice that they realised how important getting my wheelchair into the car was.
In terms of lighting, it’s important for me to see both the headlights and dashboard in daylight and darkness. This can be a tricky one to manage at a car dealership, but the past few dealers we’ve bought from have come up with some really quite inspired ways of showing me the lighting in the dark.
Whatever you need from your car, let the dealers know and make sure you’re able to test everything. It’s the dealers job to make sure you’re completely happy with the car you purchase, not worrying that it won’t meet your needs properly. If a dealer isn’t happy for you to test things in a way you need to, consider going elsewhere.
Tips For Choosing A Car With A Disability: Do Your Own Research
Before heading to a dealership, you may have been looking at cars available on the market for inspiration. This is a great way of getting an idea of what you want from your car. It’ll also let you know how much a new car for your needs is likely to cost. When choosing a car as someone with a disability, it’s often helpful to talk to others with similar difficulties to yourself. While it’s not likely you’ll know many people in real life, the internet is a wonderful place!
There are so many Facebook groups, for specific medical conditions, disabilities and impairments. It’s worth dropping a post onto a few of these, to find out what vehicles others use and if they’ve had any experience of the cars that you’re considering. In addition to this, most car manufacturers have forums where you can ask owners questions about their car. If you can ask your question in the right way, you can get some good information from manufacturer’s forums. For example, asking “Would I get my wheelchair into the boot of this car?” might not get you any helpful responses. Asking “What are the dimensions of the boot of the car?” is much more likely to get you useful information, as it’s dealing in fact, rather than opinion.
It’s also worth looking for YouTube videos talking about the car you’re interested in. When Dan and I took the Nissan Leaf (which we have now bought), I filmed a vlog. We tackled issues I have with buying a car, in order to help others with similar requirements. If you want to learn more about the Nissan Leaf, make sure you check out my vlog below.
What are your tips for choosing a car with a disability?
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