Whilst Avis has offered hand control cars in Australia for several years, a partnership with Total Ability has expanded their fleet, giving people with disability greater access to hire cars.
Using the latest technology, the new fleet of Avis hand control cars are available in 37 locations nationally across Australia in the Kia Stonic and Renault Koleos, that can be driven with hand controls or regular foot controls, for easy drive sharing. The cars are fitted with Fadiel Italiana Ergonomic Radial Accelerator and Brake Leveras well as a quick-release spinner knob on the steering wheel.
“We installed the Ergonomic Radial Accelerator and Brake Lever, as it was the hand control that could be used by the largest group of people with physical disability,” Total Ability marketing manager, Michelina Pelosi told F2L. “These cater to both people with good dexterity and someone with less dexterity but good shoulder strength to use the spinner knob for steering.”
The Total Ability and Avis partnership started in May 2022 when a clients heard that Avis were planning to purchase a new fleet of cars for hand controls and upgrade from the old mechanical push/pull hand controls. “It was suggested to Avis that they should discuss this with us and look at our modern technological and more ergonomic range of hand controls.”
Clients are responsible to ensure they have the correct endorsement on their licence to be able to drive with these hand controls and can check with their local licensing authority, she said.
The rental cost for the new modified vehicles is the same as the equivalent standard car group.
Avis has a dedicated website with details of all locations, vehicle features and hand control instructions. Avis and Total Ability have also developed all the supporting information needed to drive these cars including videos and other instructions.