Motoring with a rthritis Contents

ricability

R with arthritis 3 Choosing a Choosing a car

Plan of action 3 Details of features that

Choosing a car 4 may help you and ways of Products and techniques 5 adapting a car

Finance 9 A guide for older and disabled people 2011

  Further information 10 ricability R

Car c o ntrols

Information on adapted

This Rica booklet outlines some of the controls for dri v ing, the key things to think about when choosing different types and

or adapting a for someone who how to g et them has arthritis. We tell you about useful A guide for older and disabled people 2011

features on standard and the ricability

Getting a Getting awheelchair into acar

specialist products and techniques t h at

wheelchair into a car

might help you. Information on equipment This information comes from to help you stow or carry a consultation with people with arthritis wheelchair

10 N 20 IO A guide for older and disabled people IT and other experts. Product and price ED     

ricability

information comes from Rica’s market

Getting in and out of a car

Ge tting in

research – use it as a guide only and shop

and out of a car around for the best price. More detailed guidance on choosing Techniques that may help and using a car can be found in the Rica and details of equipment guides shown here. Request free copies that is available A guide for older and disabled people Spring 2011

 by post or read them on our website: ricability

Wheelchair

accessible Wheelchair

020 7427 2460

www.rica.org.uk accessible vehicles

I The website also has the Car sear ch Information on converted tool that lets you search for cars by their vehicles to carry you in measurements and will help you find a A guide for older and disabled people 2011 your wheelchair car to suit you. Family cars Mobility address list Issues affecting families of Addresses of all adaptation disabled children and suppliers and car converters information about cars and in the UK and details of the standard and specialist services they offer equipment

2 Driving with arthritis Plan of action Having a car and being able to drive can 1 Ask some basic questions provide a great deal of independence. Think about what you may need in future However, pain, weakness and stiff joints as well as about what suits you now. can make it difficult to get in and out of a Prepare to compromise as you may not car and use the controls. Sitting in the find everything in one car. same position for a long period of time How will you get in and out? Do you can also lead to backache and tiredness. need wide or high doors, or specialist You must tell the Driver and Vehicle equipment to help? See Products and Licensing Agency (DVLA) and your techniques (page 5). insurance company if your arthritis Will you be comfortable in the seat? affects your ability to drive, especially if And will you be able to reach the you need adapted controls. controls? For further information: Will you need specialist controls? There l go to www.gov.uk/driving-medical- is a big range – from simple gadgets to conditions or more complex controls (see pages 6-8). l get What you need to know about What equipment will you carry? Think driving licences (D100) from a about everyday and occasional use. Post Office. Do you use a wheelchair? Will you load it into the boot or travel sitting in it? If you wear splints to support your Will you need extra space for joints, ask your Occupational Therapist specialist equipment? (OT) if it’s appropriate to wear them when driving. If they make driving 2 Collect information difficult, the OT may adapt them. Start with motoring magazines, the If you have recently had surgery, ask internet and manufacturers’ brochures. your doctor to advise you when it will be You can also try the following: safe to drive again. Disability Now Learning to drive (www.disabilitynow.org.uk) has reviews and articles by disabled drivers. If you are learning to drive or Disabled Motoring UK (see page 10) returning to driving with publishes a monthly magazine with adaptations, you will benefit reviews and articles. from lessons with a specialist Mobility Centres (see page 10) offer instructor. They use cars with driving assessments and tell you what adapted controls or will teach equipment will suit you. Charges vary you in your own vehicle. from centre to centre – up to £130. It’s DMUK or your Mobility Centre free in Scotland if you are referred by a (see page 10) will help you find GP. It’s free UK-wide under Motability’s an instructor locally. Managed Adaptation Programme.

3 Mobility Roadshows and Motability One Big Day (see page 11) to see and try Choosing a car out vehicles and adaptations. Motability (see page 11) have a list of Cars with automatic and accredited car dealers with specialist power assisted can be easier to knowledge and facilities for disabled drive if you don’t have much strength in people. They have free guides, in print your shoulders, hands or arms. Other and on their website. helpful features such as height-adjustable seats and steering are found on a wide 3 Try out before buying range of cars too. The less a car has to be Try any car you are considering. Dealers modified, the higher its resale value. may bring one to your house and should If you are going to get a standard car, be able to find an automatic version. Try use the list below to tick the features you getting in and out several times. If you might find useful. Alternatively, Products use a wheelchair, check that it fits. You and techniques (pages 5-8) tells you might be able to try out adapted cars at about equipment that might help. a Mobility Centre or an adaptation firm. They will also tell you if the adaptations GETTING IN AND OUT can be fitted to your chosen car. If your joints are stiff and painful, you may need a large door opening, so you 4 Get plenty of practice can get in and out without having to Make sure that you are not driving with bend too much. If you have weakness or adaptations for the first time when you tenderness, or find reaching difficult, collect the car. Your adaptation smaller doors are easier. Two and three company may have a demonstration door cars generally have wider doorways model and they must give you the than four and five door ones. Look for: chance to try your adapted car before l doors which move smoothly and you take it away. aren't stiff Mobility Centres can help you find l door openings that suit your needs specialist driving instructors locally. l no sills or low, narrow sills l conveniently placed handholds l seat heights that suit you Car search l electrically operated seats which adjust both ways, so you get the best n Rica has an online database of position for getting in and for driving. car measurements. n Search for cars with wide LOCKING AND IGNITION doors, low sills or lots of l remote and central locking headroom or look for a boot l keyless entry system – a card to to fit your wheelchair. unlock and start the car n Go to www.rica.org.uk and l push button start follow the link for the Car l windows that close automatically search tool. when the car is locked.

4 MOTORING WITH ARTHRITIS PRIMARY CONTROLS Products and For steering, braking and accelerating: techniques l can make driving less stressful and make the If your arthritis makes it difficult, tiring controls easier to adapt or painful to get in and out or drive a l power assisted steering – on some standard car , there is a range of cars the effort needed can be equipment and adaptations available to lightened by the dealership or by help. These pages, and our other guides specialist converters (see page 2), give more information. You l to maintain a constant can also get individual advice from a speed Mobility Centre (see page 10). l handbrakes can be stiff if you have a The equipment and adaptations weak hand and wrist – check that you described here are available from can put it on and off specialist suppliers and installers. You l some cars have electronic, push can find these in our Mobility address list . button handbrakes and you can have If friends or family also drive your car, one fitted to many others. make sure your adaptations do not prevent them from doing so or get SECONDARY CONTROLS in their way. For things like the horn, lights and indicators. Try to find a model where these are in the best position for you Accessories and l ook for: l electric windows n Easifuel holds the trigger open l electric and heated door mirrors on petrol pumps (£2.99; call l panoramic rear view mirror 020 8302 8858 to try before l heated windscreen you buy). l automatic wipers and lights n Car Caddie and Handybar l parking distance sensor – sounds if provide an additional hand hold you are near an obstacle when getting in and out. One l reversing camera attaches to the top of the l park assist – steers the car into the window frame, the other to the parking space for parallel parking. door catch. From aids suppliers. n ServiceCall allows you to call BOOT for service at participating Look for: outlets, including filling l no sill or low sill stations. More information l boot lid you can reach when it’s open from www.service-call.net or l powered boot opening/closing – you call 0800 458 3008. can have this fitted to most cars n A Blue Badge lets you park in l internal boot release restricted areas. The rules are l space for your wheelchair, mobility different in different places. or other equipment. From your local authority.

5 GETTING IN AND OUT Wheelchair users The best way to get in is to sit first then There are transfer boards and other turn and bring your legs in, doing the devices to help you from a wheelchair reverse to get out. into the seat. Hoists and lifts can help l To help get your legs in, try looping a you stow your wheelchair in the car. stiff length of webbing or a walking Some automatically stow the chair on stick over your foot to pull it by hand the roof or in the back of the car after over the door sill. you have transferred to the seat. See our l To help with swivelling in, you can guides Getting in and out of a car and simply put a plastic bag on the seat, or Getting a wheelchair into a car (see page 2) use a specialist swivelling cushion. for more information. Make sure you remove it for Alternatively, you can get a the journey. wheelchair accessible vehicle, where you l Specialist swivelling seats are available travel in your wheelchair (see our guide from £1000. See our guide Getting in Wheelchair accessible vehicles ). and out of a car for more information. l To help you reach the and PRIMARY CONTROLS wear it comfortably, many newer cars Steering have adjustable seat belt fixings. You You can make the steering can also get accessories to make the easier and less painful to grip by padding belt easier to reach or adjust its it with foam tape or a thick wheel cover. position. The straps need to cross your If you have to steer one-handed, for shoulder and fit low across the pelvis, example if you have hand controls, you avoiding your stomach. can fit a steering ball or to the l If reaching the boot to close it is a . problem, you can fit an electronic boot Spinners come in several shapes to suit closer or try fixing a strap to it – from different types of grip and most cost motoring and specialist suppliers. between £10 and £110.

Tips

Here is advice from drivers with arthritis: n Try out a car and any adaptations on one of your worst days, not when you’re feeling well. n Make sure the seat is comfortable and provides good support – adjust it and the steering wheel to suit you. Cushioning, electrically adjustable seats and heated seats all help. n Get advice from an independent Mobility Centre. n Take plenty of breaks to avoid getting stiff. Leave enough time for this. n Make sure any painkillers you use when driving do not cause drowsiness or otherwise affect your ability to drive.

6 MOTORING WITH ARTHRITIS

Changing gear Automatic transmission means fewer gear changes and also helps with pulling away if you have hill start assist. Usually automatics have a mechanical gear selector, which you operate with your left hand. If you cannot do this, you can have an electronic system fitted, but these are Flip-up left foot accelerator – Jeff Gosling expensive and may not be appropriate. Take advice from a Mobility Centre Warning before investing in these systems. n Left foot accelerators take a lot of getting used to, especially if you are used to driving an unadapted manual car. There have been a number of accidents involving drivers who aren’t used to them. Electronic gear selector – Adaptacar n You must have a professional driving assessment before Some manual cars have automated ordering a left foot accelerator gear systems which work without using a and lessons with a qualified pedal. You move a lever or use instructor before you start to push buttons or paddles on the steering use one on the road. wheel to select a gear. If you can operate the , but not the clutch pedal, you can get an Hand controls adapted clutch that you operate with the If you cannot use foot pedals at all, hand that you use to change gear (from different types of hand control can be £1,975). More on this in our Car controls fitted on an automatic car. Ask for guide (see page 2) advice from your doctor or therapist on whether hand controls are likely to Accelerating and braking aggravate your arthritis. Left foot accelerator There are a few different types of hand If you can use one foot, you may be able control. They can be powered and the to drive an unadapted automatic car. If it amount of force you need to operate is your left foot, one option is to fit an them can be adjusted. You can fit a accelerator on the left side of the footrest, shaped to suit you (from £75), pedal, for around £300-500. and a guard to stop your feet interfering So that other people can drive the car, with the pedals (from £100). See our Car these are removable or made so that you controls guide (see page 2) for more can flip the other pedal down. information and advice.

7 Single lever accelerator and brake – here fitted with optional indicator switch – Jeff Gosling K5 under ring – Autoadapt

Combined controls l steering column mounted – push the Mechanical attachments are simple to fit lever to brake and pull it towards you and can make it easier to use the to accelerate (from £400) handbrake (from £70). Electronic parking l a radial lever that you use clockwise cost from around £700. to accelerate and push away to brake (from £700) SECONDARY CONTROLS l floor mounted push-pull levers – If you have difficulty using controls for position and strength needed can be the lights and indicators, there are adjusted to suit you (from £800) simple and complex solutions. If you need to work the indicator with your right hand, you can have an extension fitted to the indicator stalk that takes it over the steering column.

Floor-mounted Menox Carospeed – Autoadapt

l clamp on controls simply bolt on to the pedals (£350) – best as a short term option.

Separate accelerators and brakes l there is a wider range of separate Indicators extension – Alfred Bekker hand controls for accelerating; use with floor mounted brakes (from £550) If you have more complex needs, l accelerator rings (from £1,800) need electronic systems can be fitted that less effort and let you steer with both bring all the secondary controls together hands on the wheel; they in one unit .They are operated by hand or don’t interfere with the steering by nudging with your head or something wheel adjustment. else. Some work with just one button.

8 MOTORING WITH ARTHRITIS

Charities – To find a grant maker try: l your library for local charities such as the Round Table or the Rotary or Lions Clubs l Charity Search – help people over 50 find a grant-giving charity : 0117 982 4060 (9.3 0am-2.30pm) www.charitysearch.org.uk Steering knob combined with wireless l Turn2Us – a website for people in secondary controls – Lodgesons financial need: 0808 802 2000 (8am -8pm) Prices vary widely depending on how www.turn2us.org.uk complex the controls are and on the l contacting local or national support wiring system of the car (from £700). groups (see pages 10 -11). Check the cost of any adaptation before ordering it. Also check that it is VAT exemption – You do not have to pay compatible with your car. VAT on adaptations or their installation, repairs or maintenance. You may not Mirrors have to pay VAT on the purchase and A panoramic mirror (around £25 from maintenance of an adapted car. Talk to adaptation firms) can be placed over or your supplier or see information available replace a standard rear view mirror and from HM Revenue and Customs will be particularly helpful if you have (see page 11). severe neck stiffness. Stick on ‘blind spot’ mirrors (from £2 in motor Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax) – You accessory shops) extend what you can don’t have to pay this if you get the see in door mirrors. Higher Rate Mobility Component of DLA, PIP or War Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement. Get an exemption Finance certificate from the Disability Benefits Helpline (08457 123456) or the Service Motability – Scheme for people Personnel and Veterans Agency (0800 receiving the Higher Rate Mobility 169 2277). Component of the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Personal Independence Car insurance – Under the Equality Act Payment (PIP) or War Pensioner’s 2010, insurance companies are not Mobility Supplement (see page 11 for allowed to refuse disabled drivers more information). insurance or charge extra without justifying evidence. Shop around for the Access to Work – May help if you are best deal. If you have a heavily adapted working or about to start work. Go to car, Mobility Centres and DMUK (see www.gov.uk/access-to-work or ask at page 10) have lists of companies that your Jobcentre. specialise in disabled drivers.

9 Further Disabled Living Foundation information l Advice and information on equipment. Arthritis Care Tel: 0845 130 9177 (10am-4pm) l Free information on living with arthritis www.dlf.org.uk devised with and for people living with www.livingmadeeasy.org.uk the condition, plus local services and support groups Disabled Motoring UK (DMUK) l online discussion forums for people l The campaigning charity for disabled sharing tips on the challenges of life motorists. They run the Baywatch with arthritis campaign against parking abuse and l self-management and awareness represent disabled people’s needs at a training national level. Membership £20 per l local and national campaigning for year – includes monthly magazine. equality and inclusion for people living Ashwellthorpe with arthritis. Norwich NR16 1EX Freephone confidential helpline: Tel: 01508 489449 0808 800 4050 (10am-4pm) Fax: 01508 488173 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.arthritiscare.org.uk www.disabledmotoring.org

Arthritis Research UK DVLA (Driver and Vehicle l Funds for medical research into the Licensing Agency) causes, treatment and cure of arthritis Drivers Medical Group l information and free publications. Tel: 0300 790 6806 Tel: 0300 790 0400 Fax: 0845 850 0095 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.arthritisresearchuk.org www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/medical www.gov.uk/browse/driving Blue Badge Network l Information, news and ideas on Driver & Vehicle Agency disability issues and concessions. (Northern Ireland) Tel: 01384 257001 Driver Licensing Medical Section Email: Tel: 0845 402 4000 [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.bluebadgenetwork.org.uk www.dvani.gov.uk

Disability Benefits Helpline Forum of Mobility Centres l Government information service. l A network of independent, accredited Tel: 08457 123456 Mobility Centres which will: assess www.dwp.gov.uk or your driving and give you advice www.gov.uk/browse/benefits about how to make it safer, easier and more comfortable ; give advice to

10 MOTORING WITH ARTHRITIS

carers; in some cases, help you find a National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society specialist driving instructor l Only UK charity for Rheumatoid Arthritis, l national information service on providing free information and support driving, specialist equipment and l booklets, online forums and local groups. vehicle adaptations. Freephone confidential helpline: Freephone: 0800 559 3636 0800 298 7650 (9.30am-4.30pm) www.mobility-centres.org.uk Email: [email protected] www.nras.org.uk Get Going Live l Free events for young disabled motorists. One Big Day Tel: 0845 241 0390 l Motability run these regional events for www.getgoingnow.org customers and people interested in the scheme – you can see and test drive cars HM Revenue and Customs and adaptations. l VAT relief on adaptations (VAT Notice Tel: 0800 953 4002 701/7) and motor vehicles (VAT www.motabilityevents.co.uk Notice 701/59) for disabled people. Tel: 0845 302 0203 Remap Textphone: 0845 000 0200 l Voluntary group of engineers who design www.hmrc.gov.uk and manufacture devices when there is nothing else on the market. The Mobility Roadshow Remap England, Wales and NI l Free events with advice, Tel: 0845 130 0456 demonstrations and test drives on cars Email: [email protected] and mobility products and services. www.remap.org.uk Mobility Choice Remap Scotland Tel: 0845 241 0390 Tel: 01466 730736 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] www.mobilityroadshow.co.uk www.remap-scotland.org

Motability This guide was funded by the l You can use your Higher Rate Mobility Motability Tenth Anniversary Trust Component of DLA, PIP or War n Motability has teamed up with leading Pensioner’s Mobility Supplement to home, pet and travel insurers. For full lease a car. Maintenance and servicing, details of the Motability Insurance range, insurance and breakdown assistance visit www.motability.co.uk or call direct: are included. Motability contribute HOME Insurance: 0800 783 0061 towards the cost of adaptations. PET Insurance: 0800 369 9094 l You may have to make an advance TRAVEL Insurance: 0800 519 9957 payment to cover the cost of the car. n For every policy sold, the insurance Tel: 0845 456 4566 providers will pay a proportion of the Textphone: 0845 675 0009 premium to Motability to help disabled www.motability.co.uk people remain mobile.

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