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Post by justnick on Mar 13, 2023 18:32:12 GMT -5
This is more of a rant. Sorry.
I didn't participate in the other thread because advocacy/activism isn't really my thing. Accessibility is literally my job and I don't feellike doing it in my off-time. I'm like the carpenter that lives in a perpetual fixer upper.  But here's my gripe; I signed the loan papers today for my new van and am shopping around for insurance. I saw stars when I added everything up. My new van (granted, it is fancy because I'm evidently a fancy lad) came in at a shade over $146,000! This is why so many PWDs don't drive. I'm luck in that I got most of the driving adaptations covered but I'm still in shock. And honestly a little mad. Technology usually comes down in price with time but vans have gone up. My first van was in the neighborhood of $60k and my current van was just under $110k. And newer vehicles have "adaptive friendly" features built in like power doors, electronic steering, electric switches instead of mechanical, fly-by-wire throttle, etc. It's a bit ridiculous. If I had the money, I'd love to manufacture a purpose-built accessible vehicle with modular controls and cut out the conversion companies entirely. Something like the MV-1 tried a few years back but failed because they didn't understand accessible vehicles and it was FUGLY. I guess I should start saving now for my next vehicle. |
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Post by darthoso on Mar 13, 2023 19:13:52 GMT -5
Anything typically paid for by a 3rd party (military equipment by tax payers, healthcare by insurance companies, education by student loans) will inevitably have it's price creep up because the buyer (who isn't paying for it but is benefiting) understandably doesn't care about the cost. When it was announced Spinraza would cost $125k per dose my anger was at the insurance company for denying me, not Biogen. A lot of disability anything is paid for by a 3rd party with deep pockets, we get screwed because there is such a big gap between those with disabilities eligible for xyz program and those who aren't, and those who aren't aren't worth lowering prices for (same logic why Ferrari makes more selling to a small but wealthy customer base than selling cheaper cars to more people).
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Post by Quad787 on Mar 13, 2023 22:18:07 GMT -5
This is more of a rant. Sorry.
I didn't participate in the other thread because advocacy/activism isn't really my thing. Accessibility is literally my job and I don't feellike doing it in my off-time. I'm like the carpenter that lives in a perpetual fixer upper. But here's my gripe; I signed the loan papers today for my new van and am shopping around for insurance. I saw stars when I added everything up. My new van (granted, it is fancy because I'm evidently a fancy lad) came in at a shade over $146,000! This is why so many PWDs don't drive. I'm luck in that I got most of the driving adaptations covered but I'm still in shock. And honestly a little mad. Technology usually comes down in price with time but vans have gone up. My first van was in the neighborhood of $60k and my current van was just under $110k. And newer vehicles have "adaptive friendly" features built in like power doors, electronic steering, electric switches instead of mechanical, fly-by-wire throttle, etc. It's a bit ridiculous. If I had the money, I'd love to manufacture a purpose-built accessible vehicle with modular controls and cut out the conversion companies entirely. Something like the MV-1 tried a few years back but failed because they didn't understand accessible vehicles and it was FUGLY. I guess I should start saving now for my next vehicle. I feel your pain, literally. And it's not like the newer, more expensive and is guaranteed to be more comfortable or easier to drive. In my experience it's been the opposite. My previous van was it 2005 Dodge Grand Caravan. So easy to drive, the driver's compartment was roomy so you could get right under the wheel. Now I have a 2020 Grand Caravan with a different design. I'm higher off the ground, further away from the steering wheel, more sway around turns. I like your idea of a vehicle with modular components that can be assembled without going through a conversion company. I also like the idea of Elon Musk personally gifting me a Tesla that drives me to work, home, here, and there. |
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kro354
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Post by kro354 on Mar 13, 2023 22:20:33 GMT -5
There isn't a mass market for adaptive controls so they're more expensive. Unfortunately, at least in my experiences with my friend's van, there also are very few companies who make these things and they can charge more because they can. I could give you a list of the ways the adaptive van place my friend relies on takes such advantage of him and others because they know he has no choice.
Also why it costs $125/day to rent a 10-year-old van with a ramp while I can rent a brand new convertible (or roadster/cabrio for Europeans) for half that - there just isn't a thriving competitive market out there for the stuff you guys rely on, and it sucks.
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Post by infinatedreams on Mar 14, 2023 5:21:58 GMT -5
Not just a USA thing, same here in the UK. Its the disability premium, small market with few suppiers so just stick a few 000's on the price tag as we cant go anywhere else.
Fortunately I just need hand controls so not a biggie, but got a mate who is trying to get a van. 5yr lease with £60000 up front. Fucking disgrace he doesnt have that kind of money so is literally housebound and mentally going downhill fast.
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imupforanything
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Gender: Male
Dev Status: Disabled
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Post by imupforanything on Mar 14, 2023 9:24:24 GMT -5
In the US Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) pays for the conversation aspects of an adapted vehicle if you use it for work. I work from home but have to travel to various cities for various conferences or team/training meetings. If you work (or want to work) VR is really good for that, you only pay for the vehicle portion of a conversion.
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Post by britishtetra on Mar 14, 2023 14:21:45 GMT -5
About 20 years ago, I went for testing to drive a vehicle. I went to a place called steering developments in Hemel Hempstead, which is in the UK. My level of injury is C4/5 and I was right on the limit to drive. It would’ve meant using my head to do the headlights, and my right arm which is pretty strong to do with the steering et cetera, but the braking was the problem. The vehicle would’ve cost £50,000, and it was just too much. At the moment, I have got a wheelchair accessible vehicle with a ramp up the back that I get strapped in. One of my friends was lucky enough to get the millionth vehicle on mobility, and he got invited to Buckingham Palace!
Pete
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But here's my gripe; I signed the loan papers today for my new van and am shopping around for insurance. I saw stars when I added everything up. My new van (granted, it is fancy because I'm evidently a fancy lad) came in at a shade over $146,000! This is why so many PWDs don't drive. I'm luck in that I got most of the driving adaptations covered but I'm still in shock. And honestly a little mad. Technology usually comes down in price with time but vans have gone up. My first van was in the neighborhood of $60k and my current van was just under $110k. And newer vehicles have "adaptive friendly" features built in like power doors, electronic steering, electric switches instead of mechanical, fly-by-wire throttle, etc. It's a bit ridiculous. If I had the money, I'd love to manufacture a purpose-built accessible vehicle with modular controls and cut out the conversion companies entirely. Something like the MV-1 tried a few years back but failed because they didn't understand accessible vehicles and it was FUGLY. I guess I should start saving now for my next vehicle. 
