Specifics of the utilisation of a motorcar by a person with a locomotive disability

The possibility of utilisation of an individually adjusted personal motorcar is one of important preconditions to undertake professional activities by persons with a considerable locomotive disability. This refers, in particular, to persons who move with the assistance of wheel chairs. Typical, serially manufactured personal motorcars are adapted to the requirements resulting from a disability. The original construction of such cars usually does not take into consideration specific needs of disabled persons. The objective of this study was to elaborate a list of specific car design requirements for a driver with a locomotive disability. The object of the performed analyses was the process of car driving (problems associated with independent loading and unloading of a foldable wheelchair were omitted). Furthermore, the authors did not study ergonomic issues associated with the maladjustment of individual devices adapting the car. The analysed data were obtained following interviews based on questionnaires submitted by disabled users of personal cars. All respondents moved about with the aid of wheelchairs and their disability was the result of injuries of the spinal cord (paraplegia and tetraplegia). The result of the investigations is a catalogue of specific ergonomic requirements regarding the operating space of the personal car driver.