Rheumatic disease includes nearly 100 different conditions, which cause pain in the joints and connective tissue throughout the body. Depending on the areas affected and functional ability, either a sedan or van may be an appropriate vehicle choice.

Driving a sedan: When considering the use of a sedan, the individual must be able to do the following:

• Lock and Unlock the door
• Open and close the door
• Transfer to and from the wheelchair if applicable
• Store & retrieve the wheelchair (either independently or with a wheelchair loading device)

Driving a van: If an individual is unable to drive a sedan, there are several options available for driving a van. Specialized modifications can allow a person to transfer to the driver seat or to drive from the wheelchair. There are several levels of driving control technology to compensate for the loss of strength and/or range of motion. Some of these include:

• Reduced effort steering systems to compensate for reduced strength
• Servo brake & accelerator control to compensate for reduced range of motion & strength
• Joystick driving systems, allowing one hand operation of brake, accelerator and steering.

Call us today with any questions or to schedule a driving evaluation at (814) 833-2301