Our fleet currently consists of four vehicles with a variety of adaptive equipment options for drivers with physical limitations. All of the vehicles that we use for behind-the-wheel assessment and training are equipped with a passenger side brake pedal which allows our evaluators/trainers to stop the vehicle when necessary to keep our clients safe.
Our 2016 Ford Fusion is one of our most frequently used vehicles. It is best suited for clients who are still able to stand and/or walk or who can easily transfer to the driver seat.
Fusion Adaptive Equipment:
Three left-side, column-mounted, mechanical hand controls
- Veigel/MPD Detroit Series
- Detroit Push/Pull
- Detroit Push/Right-Angle
- Detroit Push/Rock
Two right-side, floor-mounted, mechanical hand controls
- Veigel Classic II – Push/Twist
- Veigel Compact II – Push/Pull
- Left-foot accelerator
- Various steering orthotics or “spinner knobs”
- Turn signal crossover
- Backup camera
For those clients who either cannot easily transfer into a sedan, or who may need to drive from a wheelchair, our Chrysler Town & Country may be a better fit.
Town & Country Equipment:
Three left-side, column-mounted, hybrid (electronic accelerator, mechanical brake) hand controls
- Sure Grip Featherlite
- Push/Pull
- Push/Right-Angle
- Push/Rock
Two right-side, column-mounted, hybrid hand controls
- Sure Grip Featherlite
- Push/Right-Angle
- Push/Rock
Two right-side, floor-mounted, mechanical hand controls
- Veigel Classic II – Push/Twist
- Veigel Compact II – Push/Pull
- Various steering orthotics or “spinner knobs”
- 6-Way power transfer seat base; removable for clients driving from a wheelchair
- Variable (low or zero) effort steering
- Turn signal crossover
- Backup camera
- Q-Straint retractable tie downs for wheelchair securement
For clients who want or need something a little different, our Chevy Impala is the only evaluation/training vehicle in the DC Metro Area equipped with the DARIOS by Kempf. DARIOS stands for Digital Accelerator Ring Optimized for Speed. It allows drivers to use either hand, or both, to operate an electronic accelerator, and has a separate handle for operation of the brake.
Impala Equipment:
- Kempf DARIOS
- Left-foot accelerator
- Spinner knob
- Turn signal crossover
The newest addition to our fleet is our high-tech van. On the outside it looks like any other Chrysler Town & Country with a lowered floor, but it is what is inside that counts. This van is equipped with the Paravan Space Drive II drive-by-wire system. This system allows clients with severe physical limitations to operate gas/brake and/or steering with nearly effortless electronic input devices. This van is appropriate for clients with spinal cord injuries, muscular dystrophy, congenital limb deformities, etc., and can be driven from a wheelchair or the normal driver’s seat. Input devices can be mounted nearly anywhere to allow operation by clients with extreme physical limitations. In addition to the passenger side brake, this vehicle is also equipped with instructor controls that allow the evaluator/trainer to assume full control of gas/brake and steering; providing an extra layer of safety to our clients.
Paravan Equipment:
- Two-way joystick for gas/brake
- Two-way joystick for steering
- Four-way joystick for gas/brake and steering
- Two-way sliding lever for gas/brake
- Push-button gear shift
- Mini-steering wheel
- Rotary steering
- Touch screen activation of ignition and secondary controls
- Push-button secondary controls
