Ford Motability Adaptations

Why People Need Adaptations & How to Order them!

If problems like arthritis are making it difficult for you to get in and out of your car, you might want to consider having it adapted to better suit your needs. This also applies to wheelchair users. Leasing a Mobility Contract Hire Scheme car gives you the freedom to make these adaptations, and this can have a significant effect on your mobility. Many tens of thousands of Motability customers have adaptations fitted to their cars to help make driving or travelling easier or more comfortable.

Adaptations generally fall into three categories:

Driving adaptations: to help improve your driving experience

Stowage adaptations: these allow you to stow your scooter or wheelchair

Access adaptations: which help you get in and out of the car

If you need adaptations for your Ford Motability car, we want to make it as easy as possible for you to select and order them. Many of the adaptations are available at no extra cost.

Simply select the adaptations you require and order them at the same time you order your new Ford car.

It all adds up to a hassle-free route to adapted motoring!

What Adaptations are Possible?

Adaptations include:

An adjustable steering column
Parking sensors
Start button ignition
Push-pull hand controls
Left-foot accelerators
An electric hoist to lift powered wheelchairs and scooters
Swivel seats
Easy release handbrakes
Pedal extensions
Steering wheel balls
Infrared controls

Popular Adaptations

Push/Pull Hand Control

• If you are unable to use the foot pedals in your car, a push and pull device will enable you to control the speed with your hand.

Operation:

• Push the lever forward to apply the brake and pull it backwards to apply the accelerator.

Radial Accelerator

• Similar to the push and pull control, the radial accelerator can help you control the speed of your car if you are unable to use the foot controls.

• To accelerate, push downwards on the lever in a slight radial action, pushing the lever away from the body to brake.

Steering Wheel Ball

Operation:

• Simply hold the ball, making sure your hand is comfortable, and use it to turn the steering wheel in the direction you need.

Left Foot Accelerators

• If you are unable to use your right let, you could use a pedal transfer to switch the accelerator to the opposite side, enabling you to control the speed with your left foot.

Operation:

• For a twin flip accelerator, you pull down the pedal required and the other pedal flips up automatically. You can then use that pedal while the other is safely folded up out of the way. Floor mounted left foot accelerators operate with a guard to cover the pedal not in use.

Easy Release Hand Brake

• If you have limited strength or flexibility in your arms an easy release handbrake device will reduce the effort needed to apply and release the handbrake.

Operation:

• This will depend on the type of device you choose. Some are operated by buttons and some by a small lever.

Infrared Controls

• If you have limited movement in your upper body, infrared controls can bring everything to your fingertips. They make it easier to manage certain functions in your car, which make it safer or more comfortable to drive.

• This is a simple keypad, which is often attached to the steering wheel. You simply press the button of the function you need.

Wheelchair Stowage: Electric Boot Hoist

• If you cannot lift your wheelchair into your boot, an electric hoist will solve this problem by easily taking the weight and manoeuvring into the boot of your car.

Operation:

• This will depend on the model but most are similar in operation. Once you have attached the wheelchair, use the electric keypad to lift and move the wheelchair into the boot.

Rooftop Wheel Chair Stowage

• If you need your boot to store other things, such as luggage, equipment or even the dog, you might want to store your wheelchair in a rooftop box.

Operation:

• This will depend on the model but most are similar in operation. Once you have attached the wheelchair, a hand-held control operated the lifting, folding and storage of the wheelchair.

Swivel Seat

• If you have limited body movement or stiff legs a swivel seat can help you get in and out of the car more easily. They can also increase driver and passenger comfort.

Operation:

• A remote control operates the chair as it turns out to face the driver or passenger, allowing plenty of space to sit down on the chair. Use the remote control to then move the chair round to the required position.