EQUIPMENT : FORD AND GM MOBILITY PROGRAMS GettingGetting aroundaround thethe challengeschallenges ofof gettinggetting aroundaround hile most of us take our personal mobility for granted, or Mobility Tuned Focus— The Ford Mobility “Tuned” Focus even greatly appreciate it, there are many who are not Ford Mobility Motoring puts young people with disabilities into the driver’s seat of the W able to walk to their vehicle, much less enjoy the freedom Approximately 13,000 people with disabilities received benefits “hot-hatch” craze inside the world’s best-selling car. At the of getting in and going places. Some are elderly or ill; others have from Ford through November 2003. Since its creation in 1992, the Chicago Auto Show, Ford displayed a customized Focus ZX3 suffered life-changing injury; all seek to maintain an active Ford Mobility Motoring program has assisted more than 100,000 demonstrating mobility enhancements that can make vehicles lifestyle. Fundamental hand controls have been available for man people with millions in reimbursement funds. accessible yet still exciting to people with disabilities. Ford years, so someone without full use of their feet can perform basic In addition to financial aid, Ford Mobility Motoring can provide worked with aftermarket appeal manufacturer Ballistic Unlimited acceleration and braking procedures. Racks are available to carry a a state-specific information packet listing assessment centers, and Bruno Independent Living Aids to create the “Tuned” Focus wheelchair on the back of a larger vehicle. And specialized vans equipment installers and other potential sources of financial with street racer appeal and features. have been able to accommodate a passenger, and sometimes a assistance, including extended vehicle financing terms through The basic Ford Focus claims more headroom and easier driver, in a chair. Now, breakthrough developments by the major Ford Credit Mobility Financing. Ford is the only automotive manu- ingress and egress than other cars in its class. Instrument panel manufacturers are allowing the disabled unprecedented ability to facturer to be honored by the National Business and Disability controls, including larger radio and climate control knobs and access, enter, exit, stash their gear, and drive or ride in comfort and Council and two-time recipient of the National Business and buttons, are designed to be easier to locate, grab and manipulate. total control. A combination of newly specialized vehicles, plus Disability Council’s Valued Customer Award in 1998 and 2002 for Building from this solid base, Bruno Independent Living Aids of standard vehicles with broader forethought applied, present an its mobility efforts and practices. For more information call enormous leap in mobility and in personal freedom. 800.952.2248 or log on to www.mobilitymotoringprogram.com. KEEP RIGHT >> 24 • January-February 2004 • ARIZONADRIVER Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, worked to exterior. The ZX3 has been painted Infra- for safe, secure storage of a wheelchair make the car even more accessible. Red with Modern Image Graphics • Power rear liftgate activated by voice, Bruno’s Low-Profile seats in both driver Corporation’s sliver and carbon flames key fob or manually and passenger positions provide an even outlined in black. The body kit comes from • Bruno seating with hand-controlled more ergonomic seating position and Wings West Avenger and has prototype pivoting and articulating passenger power-rotate on Bruno Power Turnouts™, Muth Signal Mirrors, as well as Body Pros seat base that matches the interior (this allowing the seat to rotate 90 degrees and tinted headlamps and taillamps. seat can be installed in other Ford, including a sensor to stop operation if Lincoln and Mercury full size SUVs, there is an obstruction encountered Go Mobility Expedition Concept pickups and full-size vans) during rotation. The Project Go Mobility Eddie Bauer • Bruno rear tailgate lift to raise, lower Rotary, hand-operated Wells-Engberg Expedition is a technically advanced and rotate a fully assembled mobility driving controls were integrated to the left mobility-adapted SUV concept vehicle. An device from curbside or directly behind of the steering column for independent, incredibly thorough complement of • Wells-Engberg CT-100 Rotary Hand simultaneous one-hand control of both exterior, interior, mobility and off-road Operated Driving Controls throttle and brake. Bruno has also features include these highlights: • On-board remote fill station for installed a trunk lift in the rear hatch • A positional backup camera aid for inflating tires and other pneumatics opening, which easily stores Bruno’s enhanced visibility while in reverse • WARN® 9.5ti Thermometric Winch versatile Typhoon™ C3 Scooter in the rear. • Ride-Rite® IntelliRide air springs with with a pulling capacity of 9500 pounds A bit more conventional than the activity-based Focus and Expedition projects, the Mercury The scooter has been painted to match three levels for lowered position for • KC™ fog and driving lights Monterey Mobility Minivan offers extremely thorough and flexible mobility modifications. the car’s exterior, and the seat has been easier ingress and egress, optimal per- • Optima® Yellow Top Deep Cycle Batter- styled to match the interior. The interior formance on the street and 2-inch ies allows for greater cranking capa- fully adjustable Bruno Offset Fold-Away™ ing, speaking, lifting/carrying or grasping features color-keyed upholstery to match increase in ride height for off-road bilities at high current loads. powered scooter lift capable of raising small objects). More than two million are the exterior colors. • Microwave-based technology with both and storing a scooter or wheelchair wheelchair users and 400,000 people The Mobility “Tuned” Focus has power audible and visual indicators when the Mercury Monterey Mobility Minivan weighing up to 200 pounds. The lift can drive an adaptive vehicle. Approximately and performance to match its edgy looks. vehicle approaches an object in front Lincoln-Mercury and Bruno Independent load a fully-assembled scooter easily in 70 percent of the disabled community is The engine has Toucan Industries • Wireless tire pressure and temperature Living Aids have teamed up to debut the three positions: curbside, from behind, or currently of driving age. The Ford Mobility performance air intake, ignition wires and information for each wheel and tire 2004 Monterey mobility minivan, from the driver’s side. Motoring program offers people with a Bosal stainless “cat-back” exhaust. assembly, with audible and visual Mercury’s first long wheelbase minivan Bruno’s Rio Travel Scooter™ is stowed physical disabilities comprehensive Braking and cornering are enhanced by a alarm when a change is detected. with adaptive mobility equipment. in the well behind the third-row seat and roadside and financial assistance of up to lowered Intrax suspension, reactive upper • Thermostatically controlled wiper Unveiled at the Greater LA Auto Show, does not interfere with $1,000 for the installation of strut, 17-by-7-inch wheels, Power Stop blades, automatically heated at temp- the van features front- and second-row Monterey’s seven-passenger adaptive equipment on new rotors and 225/50R-17 tires. Ballistic eratures below 35ºF Bruno Turny™ passenger seats that rotate capacity. The adaptive Ford, Lincoln and Mercury Unlimited added cool art style to the • Reconfigurable digital instrument cluster 90 degrees, plus power out and down, mobility equipment featured vehicle purchases or leases. • Bluetooth™ hands-free access to allowing a person to sit in either seat on Monterey is available The program also The Go Mobility Ford Expedition concept vehicle. PDA, cell phone and other devices, as before entering. Both seats are operated through an authorized Bruno reimburses up to $200 on well as links to other vehicle systems by individual hand-held controls and have dealer after the purchase or alerting devices for hearing • Hands-free voice controls for the a weight capacity of up to 330 pounds. lease of any Ford, Lincoln or impairments, lumbar seats entertainment system, heating, cool- Unlike most seats modified with acces- Mercury vehicle. and running boards. ing and next-gen telematics sibility functions, Monterey maintains the The Monterey has been FEDA— Ford Employees • Easy transfer from the passenger original factory front passenger seat. Both engineered specifically to Dealing disAbilities (FEDA) is seat to the driver’s seat seats can be easily restored back to address the physical a Ford employee resource • Wheelchair docking center with original condition for resale. limitations of people. Particular attention group, representing an important two- Polytech net between the rear seats The rear of the Monterey houses a new, was placed on ergonomic engineering way benefit to employees and the early in the product development process company. FEDA members include Suit, appearing as technical as a space to allow a full-term pregnant woman, the employees with and without disabilities. suit, ages the wearer by 30 years, using elderly or other people with physical They have the benefit of peer and materials that add bulk and restrict limitations to perform everyday vehicle management support on workplace movement in key areas of the body such functions with minimal or no restrictions. issues through networking forums and as the knees, elbows, stomach and back. educational events. The group serves as a Together with gloves that reduce the Ford