Featured news
A complete guide to car adaptations for cars and WAVs
As well as designing and manufacturing a range of wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV), Sirus Automotive also specialises in disability car adaptations for wheelchair accessible vehicles and standard cars. Our experienced team of engineers design bespoke car adaptations to suit you. Modifications on standard cars and WAVs can enable you to get on the road to continue enjoying the freedom of motoring.
Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle and Car Adaptations
Whether you have a standard car or a wheelchair accessible car, we offer adaptations to our customers to assist with specific mobility requirements. From a simple transfer plate to electronic accelerators, we have solutions for drivers and passengers.
In this article, we will explore and answer common questions such as ‘what adaptations can I make to my mobility car?’ And ‘how to make my car accessible?’ We will also look at the types of disability car modifications that can be made, including steering adaptations and pedal adaptations.
What car adaptations can I make to my WAV or car?
There are many WAV adaptations that can be made to a standard car to make your car more accessible. These can include driving adaptations or more general adaptations. The disability car modifications we make include:
- Steering adaptations
- Pedal adaptations
- Transfer plates
- Side steps
- Person hoists
- Swivel seats
- Seating & storage adaptations
What steering adaptations can be made?
At Sirus, we offer our customers a range of steering adaptations for WAV cars and standard cars. The steering adaptations we can make include the following:
Steering aids
These devices are designed to aid one-handed steering and are fitted directly to the steering wheel, enabling easy operation. Available in various shapes and sizes and with customisable grips, including a steering ball, a glove or peg fitting, they are a common feature in disability vehicle adaptations. They are also available with an optional quick-release mechanism for easy removal. A steering aid can be used in conjunction with hand controls or on its own.
Infrared system
This type of steering adaptation allows you to operate up to 13 of the car’s secondary controls, such as indicators, wipers, horn and lights. A handset fitted with a steering aid is mounted to the steering wheel, enabling fingertip operation of the car’s secondary functions. These devices prove especially useful when steering the car with one hand. They are fitted with a quick-release mechanism, allowing the controls to be removed easily if necessary.
What driving adaptations can be made to my car?
We offer a number of driving adaptations to help with speed control. The types of pedal adaptations we carry out include:
Push/pull hand controls
One of our most popular car and pedal adaptations, this device is an ideal solution if you find it difficult to use standard foot pedals to accelerate and brake. Fitted to either the left or right of the steering wheel, the device is pulled towards you to accelerate and pushed away to brake. Designed for an automatic gearbox and can include additional features including indicators, horn, dip, and main beam functions. In most cases, the original controls can still be used with your adaptations in place so other drivers can still use your car.
Pedal modifications
A left-foot flip accelerator is suitable if you have limited movement in your right leg. This enables speed control with the left foot while the original accelerator is safely out of the way. This can be used as a standard right foot acceleration as and when required.
Electronic accelerators
An electronic ring accelerator provides easy acceleration and is aesthetically designed to blend in with your car interior. Two options are available, a ring is fitted either over the steering wheel where you push to accelerate or underneath the steering wheel where you pull to accelerate.
What adaptations can help me to get in and out of my car?
We offer a wide range depending on you or your passengers mobility requirements. Some of the disability car modifications we can make to help make your vehicle more accessible include:
Transfer plate
If you struggle to transfer to a car seat, this simple and cost-effective solution provides a surface between your wheelchair and your car seat.
Side step
Depending on your requirements, we can install a range of manual and electric steps to assist the driver or passenger.
Person hoist
To assist in transferring from your wheelchair to a car seat, another popular option is an in-car person hoist. This compact system is permanently mounted into the car with three sections that clip together and form a frame and a specially designed canvas sling seat.
Swivel seats
Swivel seats are designed to give you easier access to your car seat. The entire seat comes out of the car and lowers to a suitable position for transfer to or from a wheelchair.
What options are available to stow my wheelchair or scooter?
We carry out two main wheelchair modifications on cars to help with storing wheelchairs and scooters when the driver or passenger isn’t using them.
Rooftop stowage systems
A rooftop stowage unit allows you to store a folded, lightweight manual wheelchair in a box on the roof of your car.
Boot hoists
A popular and proven method for safe and effective loading and unloading of a scooter or wheelchair into your car. There are a number of variants available according to the weight of your wheelchair/scooter. This includes light weight (30-40kg), medium weight (40-80kg) or heavy weight (100-200kg).
All of our car adaptations are available on the Motability Scheme. Speak to our adaptations specialists on 0121 505 7777.
Driving a wheelchair accessible vehicle
Depending on your personal choice and ability to transfer from a wheelchair to the driver’s seat, you may also want to consider a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
We convert a Ford Grand Tourneo Connect with an Internal Transfer WAV. This solution is designed so you don’t have to dismantle your wheelchair, as it is safely secured inside the vehicle. Transfer is assisted using a powered six-way seat, which moves forwards, backwards, up, down and rotates 90 degrees. Alternatively, drive from your wheelchair to eliminate the need to transfer.
Hear what our customers say
Paralympic swimmer Ellie Challis learns to drive with bespoke driving adaptations. Ellie Challis, from Clacton-On-Sea, became Paralympics GB’s youngest medallist at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. In September 2022, Ellie purchased her first car, a Sirus Ford Internal Transfer, and started taking driving lessons with bespoke driving adaptations.
Ellie drives using push/pull hand controls, a cup on the steering wheel and a bleeper system which operates the indicators, lights and horn.
Commenting on her experience, Ellie said: “The Sirus service has been really good. Things have gone really quickly and smoothly, which was a huge positive for me as I’d waited so long until that point. Now I have it I wouldn’t want any other car!”
Get in touch and book a free home demonstration
If you’re looking for a used WAV or would like more information about our modifications on cars and disability vehicle adaptations, please call our sales office on 0121 505 7777 or email sales@sirusautomotive.co.uk.