Most of the times, people with disabilities, especially those on wheelchairs,
are forced to be confined inside their homes due to lack of accessibility.
For most of them, travelling is a nightmare because bus and railway stations
and even airports and not disabled friendly. Owning your own car and being
able to drive around independently is one of the best feelings ever. Did you
know that all cars and two-wheelers can be modified and made accessible for
disabled people? NewzHook spoke to people who modify cars for disabled people
and how it has changed the lives of many for the best.
Musthafa Thorappa from Malappuram in Kerala started
modifying cars since 1999. His company Perfect Vital Care Centre
has already modified cars for over 1360 disabled people from
across India. Thorappa modifies vehicles according to the needs of a disabled
person.
It all started when he met with an accident and had to be on a wheelchair
permanently. It was a depressing phase for him because he knew he had lots to
do going ahead in life but had mobility limitations. Being a wheelchair user,
Thorappa knew the hardships faced by disabled people who wanted to move
around freely. That is when he decided, why not modify cars and two-wheelers
for disabled people. Being a trained mechanic, Thorappa did not
look further.
Thorappa always wanted to visit the Taj Mahal. So he went on a drive from
Kerala to New Delhi in his modified car driving over 2700
kms. He also made a stop at the Taj Mahal enroute to Delhi. Thorappa
has won many state and national accolades for his technological expertise.
Rates of modifying a car vary from 6000 Rs to 16,000 Rs
depending on its modifications. Disabled drivers are given instructions on
how to use the vehicle, especially when there is an emergency. Thorappa who
is also a farmer, is enjoying every bit of his life.
“Earlier, facilities were restricted. Now, everything is available at your
fingertip. People with all kinds of disabilities can drive now. Nothing is
impossible”, says Thorappa.
Prajith Jaipal is a wheelchair user from Kerala. He is also
a disability rights activist. He drove 8500 kms from Kerala to New Delhi to
meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his car that was modified by
Thorappa. Jaipal was in the United States for over two months to attend the
ability expo which he plans to bring down to India by 2020.
“At the expo, I met many people who are working on modified vehicles for
disabled people. I hope we can bring down all the latest technologies to
India very soon. No automobile giants manufacture exclusively modified cars
for disabled people. So all of them are modified after its purchase by the
owner. I believe gearless vehicles are perfect to be modified because you can
avoid the risk of driving a car with gear. Mobility is one of the most
important factors for wheelchair users. So driving your own car is indeed a
great feeling”, says Jaipal.
Jose David from Thrissur in Kerala has already modified over
400 cars. His specialty is that, he goes to homes of his
customers and modifies their cars in front of them. The car owner will be
able to witness how his vehicle is being modified. It also gives them a
better and detailed insight into their own cars.
David got his license to modify cars in 2005. His venture Padikkala
Associates ensures that aspiring disabled drivers get nothing lesser
than the best. David first got introduced to modified cars when he met his
friend’s father who met with an accident, but started driving his own
modified car. David found that interesting and started exploring on his own.
He started off by learning on automatic clutches. Today, they do accelerator
and brake modifications as well.
After modifying a disabled vehicle, it is inspected by the Regional
Transport Office (RTO) that gives a go ahead for the disabled driver
to apply for their license.
“It is a great feeling to see disabled people drive their own vehicle. It
feels like how caged birds are set free. Many people call me and talk about
how they go with their families on long trips in their own cars”, says
David.
Source: https://newzhook.com/story/20895
