Paralysed former athlete Paul Crake making Total Ability equipment available to NT people with disability
THE Territory was the only region in Australia that was missing out on the latest driving innovations for people with disabilities, paralysed former athlete Paul Crake said.
Mr Crake was in the Territory this week to show occupational therapists and driving instructors the Total Ability range – a company he founded.
A paraplegic, Mr Crake used the driving aids in his own vehicle.
“We want to make the process of driving easy for all parties involved,” he said.
Connie’s Driving School owner Connie Cohalan has been teaching disabled Territorians to drive for 34 years.
She said people with disabilities “come alive” behind the wheel and she was impressed by the Total Ability equipment.
Ms Cohalan explained cars were now electronic, not cable, so a lot of the older equipment was outdated.
She said she was the only driving instructor in the Territory equipped with the technology to teach seriously disabled people to drive an automatic car.
“If I didn’t do it, they would have to send them down south.”
Territory Therapy Solutions director Julie Swenson said bringing advanced equipment to the NT was about providing opportunities for people.
“There is scope for it,” Ms Swenson said.
For more information on Total Ability please visit the website totalability.com.au
This Guide covers:
- Initial Assessment
- Understanding the Plan
- Assistive Technology and the NDIS
- State Motoring Authorities
- Assessment Considerations
- Quotes and Evidence
- High-cost Vehicle Modifications
- Complete the NDIS Application
- After Lodgement
- Checklists
The Driving Hand Controls Catalogue includes:
- The complete range of driving hand controls and who they are suited for.
- A comparison chart outlining the benefits and features of various types of hand controls.
- The history of Fadiel Italiana high level modification driving systems.
