Problems in Need of Better Design Solutions: How Paraplegics Get In and Out of Their Cars

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  John C.

  7 years ago

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  I usually enjoy the core77 postings but I found this one frustrating as an engineer previously involved in the automotive mobility industry. Sure, there are lots of automotive transportation issues for people with mobility issues, but there is a great variety of (aftermarket) solutions. It seems like this posting only pointed out the "problem", without sharing the "state of the art" solutions that have been developed, or acknowledging that there is a whole industry that exists to address many of these needs.
  
  I see this as an ongoing design opportunity, but there are some extremely effective solutions out there. Solutions that integrate seamlessly into common vehicles, that can be migrated from one vehicle to the next, and solutions that are cost-effective with government/insurance subsidies and OEM 'mobility programs' (or incentives). Without playing favourites, look through the manufacturers listed at http://www.nmeda.com/what-to-buy/seating-and-restraints/. NMEDA is a Mobility Equipment Dealers Association and a great place to start a search for solutions to hard-to-solve problems.
  
  
  To make it easier for a person and their wheelchair to get in and out of a vehicle, do google searches for the following:
  
  
  - automatic pivoting and lowering seat base
  - motorized (or manual) transfer board
  - wheelchair lift for side door
  
  ...Or stop by or call a dealer listed at the NMEDA site and visit a local trade show such as People In Motion (Toronto, Canada) or Abilities Expo (across the 'states).
  
  In discussing my comment with one of my colleagues at our ID firm, he points out that there is more opportunity to build in easter-egg/multi-purpose/universal features like grab points, appropriate finishing materials, design features like suicide doors, etc. as suggested by the woman in the Saturn. I couldn't agree more with his point, but I think it needs to be said that when "standard features" built into a vehicle don't cut it, there are many aftermarket options available. And they could be evolved even further to address as yet unmet needs. And there could be more of an emphasis on user-centered design in all realms of accessibility and automotive design. PS: How do you add line breaks to comments?!?

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  Al

  7 years ago

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  I am a paraplegic and an industrial designer. When I find time outside of work I like to work on my pet projects. This just happens to be one of them. My brief is to address what I consider the key problems:- the repetitive strain placed on the body (the stretching and twisting motion required to lift the wheelchair can lead to injuries)
  - the clearance within the car, (avoiding cuts, bumps and bruises is very important)
  - safe wheelchair restraint in event of an accident (unrestrained, wheelchairs become very dangerous in an accident)
  - all weather protection (consider dashing to the car in a downpour, opening the door and then spending a minimum of 30 seconds having yourself and the inside of your car drenched)
  - protection to the car itself (if you are fortunate enough to have a car you take pride in, scratching it with your wheelchair is an annoyance)
  
  ... a work in progress.
  

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  Joshua Howe

  7 years ago

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  You have a few different issues you're facing when looking at this topic. One is the entry and exit of the vehicle and the other is the storage issues of the chair. Related to this are the issues that individual physical limitations which extend beyond the inability to walk. Individuals with paraplegia and quadriplegia can have significant differences in hand strength, range of motion and other limitations.
  
  That being said, there are some products out there that attempt to make entry and exit easier, as well as well as provide a way to store the wheel chair.
  Swivel seats offer the ability to easier transfer to the car by moving the seat over and out then bringing it into the car either manually or automatically. Here's a video of one style http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd6xd_gOBSY
  An alternate version actually incorporates part of the wheel chair into the seat itself. The drawback of the one demonstrated here is that it's done with assistance and the chair it shows is not a self propelled version. I'd love to see one that incorporates the concept, while making it usable for someone in a a manual chair. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J24HfIMUIPc
  
  The swivel seat could offer greater access to the rear of the car for storage of the chair assuming that there's suicide doors. Alternately, there's a number of roof top carriers that will lift and store the chair such as this one (never mind the Rocky music) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C_nEw3HlHo
  
  Thanks for paying attention to issues of design and disability.

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  Dcoz

  7 years ago

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  @Parker, I'm right there with you. I had a brother who suffered from muscle dysmorphia. Although later in his life he was unable to be anywhere near as independent as the three above, I know he would have given anything to at least have tried.
  
  I have just began my final year in engineering product design and am now strongly considering tackling this as my major final project. We can instantly identify the many challenges the people above currently face. If I do attempt it, I'd love to hear any suggestions which would only motivate me more in taking it up.

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  Kate

  7 years ago

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  I don't know if it makes a difference to him whether or not he gets his name published here, but the "unnamed Ohio man" in the second video says his name in the beginning of the video.
  
  

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  Parker

  7 years ago

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  This is difficult to watch. My dad had M.S. and it was always such a process to get him in and out of the car or van. Im an Industrial Designer and I would love to quite my job to dedicate to this project. The other project would be a universal design saddle for people who needed it. We where raised in the rodeo so it was hard for him to give up riding. Perhaps a kickstarter would work for this .

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