by Jim Kerr

Two events coincided recently to open my eyes to difficulties faced by physically-challenged people. First, some ice and my shoes had a disagreement and I ended up with a broken arm. Nothing too serious or permanent, but several weeks with my dominant arm in a cast does pose a couple challenges. The second event was spending some time in a Venture van set up for wheel chair access at General Motors’ display of commercial vehicles in Las Vegas. I was in the right frame of mind to investigate the difficulties faced by physically challenged members of society, and there is a lot to look at.

When most of us think of physically challenged people, we think of those with disabilities we can see; lost limbs, wheel chairs, walkers, and so on. There are also many people that have difficulties we can’t see; bad hearts, breathing problems, and even old age. Seniors are a growing percentage of our population, and as we age, there are some routine tasks such as getting in and out of a vehicle, that can become difficult. General Motors has had a Mobility Program in place for more than 20 years to help all people who have difficulty maintaining active lifestyles.

Chevrolet Venture with ramp Click image to enlarge

So how does the GM Mobility program work? The program is aimed at assisting users and qualified aftermarket upfitters with vehicle features and packages that can help accommodate their needs. For example, the Chevrolet Venture van I looked at had been modified by The Braun Corporation in the U.S. to accommodate wheelchair accessibility. The floor had been lowered from the firewall to the rear axle with 59 1/2 inches floor to ceiling height available. A compact but 30 inch wide fold-out wheelchair ramp was mounted by the passenger side sliding door. Both front seats are quick release and can be rolled back for easier accessibility or removed completely from the van. There are multiple wheelchair tie down locations in the van’s centre area. The features list goes on.

GM provides the van to the upfitter with the second row seats and rear carpet not installed. This saves the customer several hundred dollars for equipment that would only have to be discarded anyway. A special extended wiring harness comes as part of the package so the factory harness doesn’t have to be cut and spliced during the conversion. Each GM approved upfitter has to meet rigid engineering and manufacturing standards.

This is only part of the GM Mobility program. General Motors will reimburse up to $1000 towards the costs of eligible aftermarket adaptive equipment required for drivers or caregivers when installed in a new GM vehicle. Although GM does not manufacture or install this specialised equipment, they can provide listings of mobility equipment installers and equipment manufacturers.

Working with other companies on mobility issues is another important aspect. In Canada, GM works with the Bloorview MacMillian Centre in Toronto. The centre offers information on transportation and consulting for disabled people and the elderly. Internally, the UAW – GM Paragon team are a group of dedicated volunteers with and without disabilities, that assess GM and competitors products for their accessibility.

Gary Talbot of General Motors Mobility demonstrates technology for the disabled. Click image to enlarge

Some GM accessibility features seem small, such as buttonless shifters to eliminate the need to squeeze a button to shift out of park. 360-degree door handles enable the full hand to grasp the handle instead of only the fingertips. Other features, such as the rear opening 3rd door on Saturn coupes and the Chevrolet S-10 Extended Cab pickup enable drivers to easily stow a wheelchair behind the driver’s seat.

Systems that caught my eye included the pivoting passenger bucket seat on a Buick LeSabre. Turning the seat sideways makes it much easier to enter or exit the car. A trunk-mounted hoist enabled larger items such as a wheelchair to be lifted into the rear with ease.

GM’s Trailblazer “Goin’ Mobile” show truck featured a Bruno Corporation swivel seat base that turns 90 degrees and power articulates down to 16 inches from the ground. Capable of lifting 265 lbs., the seat can then move its occupant up into the vehicle. My sons would love it. So would anybody that has difficulty climbing up into a vehicle.

I have to give credit to General Motors for their Mobility Program. It is all about giving every one of us a chance to experience and retain the freedom that mobility provides. Contact a GM dealer or call the GM Mobility Center at 1-800 GM Drive for more information.