Handicap Accessible

[Frim]

I think, that's why they "invented" vans w/ electric ramps, removed driver's seat, and had room to install all necessary assistive technology to allow the person to have as much control/independence as possible.

Regarding activities like biking, having worked in rehab and special needs,
I call it the blind bus driver syndrome . A visually impaired kid growing up wants to be a bus driver, and the parents, teachers not wanting to share reality, string along. Then when the kid gets older......

With the money, and desire 3 wheel bikes have been modified to accomidate a driver with disabilities, however there are occasions when "reality bites"
I'm 73, biked 50+ years, ran 6 marathons in my 30's, and my knees, back, and prior head injuries, let me know I won't be riding or running long distances.
My assistive technology is the Elio!! (or that 3 wheel Toyota(which ever comes first))

Welcome to the club Brother. I am 73 and made the decision to sell bike, colors, and helmet at the age of 65. The Elio will be my new escape machine.

 

[RUCRAYZE]

So I was reading about the LIT. Apparently the CEO got into an accident or something and ended up wheelchair bound for a while leading to another 24 month production delay. A couple of thoughts came out of it.
One problem he said he ran into was that with a small company, an accident to the CEO took a huge toll on the company. He determined that the company relied too much on his influence and input so when he was out of the picture, design and everything slowed way down. I hope that nothing happens to Mr. Elio, but also, if something does, I hope that the company has the support that it needs to move forward.
The second thought: The CEO of LIT, now being immobilized has been thinking about accessibility, so I took it a step further. A wheelchair bound person cannot drive a motorcycle. They cannot put their feet down to stop, and there is no where to store a wheelchair on a bike. They cannot drive a normal car without modifications to the driving controls to make the vehicle hand controlled.
So how about a version of the Elio that has hand / motorcycle like controls to operate? And would need a place and a way to store a wheelchair.
So here's my thought: take out the drivers seat and replace with a hydraulic lift. Take out the door and replace with a gull wing. The person could wheel up to the door, open it up, push a button and a hydraulic platform would come out of the car. The person wheels his chair onto the platform and locks it in place, then the lift takes him and his chair into the cabin. Hand controlled, and off he goes!
Feel free to pick this apart, but I think I may be onto something!

Just a tickle- wheelchair bound sounds like going on a trip "where Ya headed"- I'm wheelchair bound or
Something folks into S&M might suggest.
All the machinations to get a person with a disability into the Elio, sounds alot like, what modifications, would be necessary to make it a 4 passenger family autocycle.
There are/were some excellent cars that allowed folks who uses W.C.'s more independence - I think it was the Saturn - had reverse rear doors with no posts that made it easier to use a "slide board" easy transfer a smooth board ( they probably use carbon fiber now ) placed under your butt, right arm rest removed and help slide in. reach out and put the W C behind. There are a heap of devices (read big bucks) that can enhance mobility/independence
For you creative mechanics out there, the fabrication of individual needs appliances can be a rewarding career path. The funding is usually governmental,- V.A., Medicaid, and the private side is health care/medical insurance, and private pay.

 

[Coss]

Actually we have discussed this before; I think it was Lily that brought up the point about where to put a wheelchair.
Best answer was the Monte Carlo seat and this