Quick guide for driving from a wheelchair

Our drive from wheelchair conversions are the ultimate option for active individuals who want to take back control of their life. Featuring automated entry and tailored driving controls, a drive from wheelchair vehicle allows you to travel for work or pleasure without the need for assistance.

Before you can drive off into the sunset, you’ll need to obtain the appropriate approval or conditional driver’s licence and be able to use all the car modifications with confidence and safety. Together with your Occupational Therapist (OT) and carer, our team of mobility consultants are available in each State to provide support with getting ready and learning to drive your new car.

Once you’re on the road, freedom and independence are all yours – woohoo!

However, getting out and about on your own as a wheelchair user does bring some challenges. Below are our top tips for driving from a wheelchair to help you remain happy and safe at all times:

1. Plan your journey:

While many shopping centres, cafes and restaurants, GP’s and hospitals now provide disability parking and wheelchair access, there are still some that don’t. Do your research before leaving home, especially if you are going somewhere new and are unsure of where to park or access the building. You can usually find this information by doing a Google search or calling and speaking to the venue directly.

Also, keep in mind that directions provided on apps like Google maps, are not always straight forward or easy to understand. Having to check your map as you drive can be distracting, dangerous and create further unnecessary stress. If you’re driving somewhere for the first time, it might be a good idea to familiarise yourself with the route in advance. Planning ahead as much as possible, will help you avoid any surprises or disappointments on your journey and at your destination!

2. Maintain your WAV (wheelchair access vehicle):

It’s important to undertake all recommended maintenance and servicing of the vehicle and the mobility equipment, which are both usually annual inspections, to make sure it’s all running smoothly and safely at all times.

In partnership with Pedders Suspension and Brakes service centres, we offer a nationwide network of over 120 service and repair locations as well as our 24-hour emergency contact number to help make sure your vehicle stays on the road and in peak running condition!

Remember to also regularly check the windscreen wipers, water, battery and oil. If you’re unable to check these yourself, ask a family member or a friend for help in between official services.

3. Maintain your wheelchair:

Maintaining and looking after your wheelchair is just as important as servicing your car. Having something go wrong with your wheelchair while you’re away from home can be inconvenient, time-consuming and impact your overall health and wellbeing.

Get your wheelchair serviced regularly and buy yourself a repair kit to have in the car in case anything does go wrong. You can even learn to perform simple repairs and maintenance yourself! This is particularly important if you’re going away on a longer trip or holiday.

4. Check the weather:

If you have difficulty regulating your body temperature or experience poor circulation, getting caught off guard with a sudden and unexpected change in weather like extreme heat can present additional challenges and upset your day. Weather conditions like snow may also require additional preparations for your car, such as fitting suitable tyres.

While they don’t always get it right (especially in Melbourne!), checking the weather forecast before leaving the house is a good idea, particularly if you’re planning to be away for an extended period of time.

Some items you might like to keep in the car, in case of a sudden change in temperature includes an extra jacket and scarf or warm blanket, hand and foot warmers, an umbrella or poncho, a flashlight, first aid kit, bottle of water and snacks such as muesli bars or jellybeans.

5. Call for backup:

No matter how careful or organised you are, things can and do go wrong – you just never know what can happen while you’re out on the road or even when you’re away from your vehicle.

Make sure you have a fully charged mobile phone and a charger in case of an emergency. Have key contacts programmed into your speed dial and enable voice activated services like Siri in case you can’t get a hold of your phone. Another useful tip is to have an entry in your phone directory called ICE (In Case of Emergency) which can be used for easy contact of people who you need. Keeping some spare change in the car can also be handy in case you need to use a payphone or pay to use a public telephone.

Finally, letting someone like a family member, friend or carer know where you are going and asking them to check in with you, if you take longer than expected is also a good idea.

Naturally, getting in and out of a car with a wheelchair does take a little longer, so one last quick tip for today is to take advantage of any bathroom breaks before rolling into the driver’s seat of your wheelchair converted car…

Want to know what it’s really like to drive from a wheelchair? Watch this video testimonial from Robyn and Wayne and read the blog Making life easier for Christine on our website.

Call our friendly team on 1300 660 773 if you’d like more information about our drive from wheelchair conversions and arrange an obligation free demonstration and consultation via video chat or at your home.

ABILITY FEST – A FESTIVAL FOR ALL ABILITIES

Currently, there are up to 4.3 million young Australians living with a physical, intellectual or sensory disability. Ability Fest invites people of all abilities, 18 years or over, to come together and embrace live music as an inclusive platform to normalise disability.

It’s known as Australia’s most accessible festival and this year it’s back with an incredible line-up of entertainment at Melbourne’s Coburg Velodrome on Saturday 4^th April, 2020.

Who Started Ability Fest?

Established in 2018 by the Dylan Alcott Foundation & Untitled Group, the one-day festival was launched by the legendary three-time Paralympic gold medalist & ten-time grand slam champion, Dylan Alcott! Alcott started the festival out of his love for music and drive to change the lives of young Australians living with a disability.

In the past two years, Ability Fest has raised up to $500,000 for the Dylan Alcott Foundation! Learn more about the Dylan Alcott Foundation, here. The funds go towards helping young Australians with disability reach their full potential through a grant program. But this year, donations will also go to people with disability affected by the devastating bushfires.

“I think everybody in life deserves to have fun and for people with disabilities, sometimes they don’t have those opportunities, particularly in music. So, we wanted to create an event where everybody of all abilities could come and just enjoy themselves.” – Dylan Alcott

What Makes Ability Fest Different to Other Festivals?

Ability Fest’s venue is fully accessible for, and inclusive of all patrons, no matter their abilities!

While Ability Fest might appear to have the same offerings as other festivals from having a stellar line-up to local food trucks…it’s also decked out with features to make it far more accessible for people of all abilities.

Ability Fest includes raised viewing platforms, ramps, sensory quiet areas, companion ticketing, AUSLAN interpreters, and of course, accessible toilets and a Marvaloo. The festival also welcomes guide dogs and has plenty of friendly volunteers to help guests throughout the event!

This year, you’ll even find some comfortable areas and novelties put together by ANZ, NEC & QT Melbourne…

What do I bring to Ability Fest?

Melbourne is renowned for it’s ‘four seasons in a day’ temperamental weather, so if you’re headed to Ability Fest it’s best to dress accordingly for rain or shine! It’s most advisable to bring along a jumper or coat if you plan on staying for the entire day and into the evening. Other items you may require to bring along are portable phone chargers, a hat and sunscreen (under 100ml). Find out more about what to bring here.

When can I buy Tickets to Ability Fest?

Presale tickets to Ability Fest go on sale for $60.00 Tuesday, 25^th February at 6:00pm (AEDT) and you can register for early access to discounted tickets here. For more updates, follow the event on Facebook. This is one fun event you won’t want to miss out on!

At Automobility we are dedicated to enabling life’s journey! We design our Wheelchair Access Vehicles (WAVs) to meet the specific needs of every individual.

If you’d like to know more about how a WAV can benefit your lifestyle, you can contact our team here. We are more than happy to support you along the way.

TOP WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE NATIONAL PARKS & TRAILS IN AUSTRALIA

Australia is home to some of the most beautiful National Parks in the world, and what you may not know is many of them are wheelchair accessible. So, if you’re looking for adventure, you can surround yourself with the wonderful sights and sounds of the rainforest, white sandy beaches and native Australian wildlife. Think of Kookaburras laughing, the scent of eucalypt woodlands and distant waves crashing against cliff faces.

Who says wheelchair users can’t experience adventure!? Trailriders now allow wheelchair users to explore more of the great outdoors.

Embracing the great outdoors is known for having several health benefits, for example it can help:

• Gain a clearer mindset and sense of purpose
• Boost your immune system
• Reduce fatigue and increase energy
• Elevate moods and feelings of happiness

Along with wheelchair accessible trails, some Australian National Parks offer TrailRiders free for hire. A TrailRider is an all-terrain wheelchair which requires a minimum of two guides to operate it. They enable people with limited mobility to get out on more rugged landscapes and explore locations beyond the realm of a conventional wheelchair, including up and down stairs. At participating parks in Victoria, visitors wanting to use a TrailRider can choose to have the assistance of a ‘Sherpa’ – volunteers who manage the all-terrain wheelchairs and guide people around the parks.

To help you find the best accessible parks and trails in Australia, check out our top picks for each state below:

Victoria

Grampians National Park – In North West Victoria near the town of Stawell, the Grampians is well known for its spectacular views, hidden gorges and waterfalls.

Mackenzie Falls, Grampians National Park, Victoria.

Mackenzie Falls is a must do for all visitors to the Grampians, hosting one of the largest waterfalls in Victoria. Flowing all year round, water cascades over huge cliffs forming fine rainbows in the mist above a deep pool of water. To get the best view, take the easy 1-kilometre pathway to the viewing platform at the Bluff (about 20 minutes one way).

Dandenong Ranges –In East Victoria, the Dandenong Ranges is renowned for its cool climate gardens with spectacular collections of rare pants, bursting with seasonal colours.

Grants Picnic Ground is a great accessible destination in the Sherbrooke section of the park famous for its bird feeding areas which attracts colourful Rosellas, Galahs, Cockatoos and the occasional Lyre Bird! The Margaret Lester Walk is specially designed for those with limited mobility providing views of Ash Trees and Tree Fern Gullies.

TrailRiders are available at both locations. To make a booking in advance contact:

• Grampians National Park, Brambuk the National Park and Cultural Centre, on (03) 8427 2058
• Dandenong Ranges National Park, Grants on Sherbrooke Restaurant at Grants Picnic Area, on (03) 9755 2888

New South Wales

Kamay Botany Bay National Park – Located at La Perouse and Kurnell in Sydney, Kamay Botany Bay is full of significant sites where you can delve deeper into the history of Aboriginal culture and Captain Cook’s Landing Place.

BJ from Have Wheelchair will Travel exploring Kamay Botany Bay National Park on a TrailRider!

Full of stunning coastal backdrops, Cape Solander is a famous spot in Sydney for whale watching. June and July are the best times to spot Humpback whales as they migrate to warmer waters and have been known to swim as close as 200m to the coastline! To access Cape Solander you will need to book a TrailRider from the Visitor Centre and bring your own guides along to assist you.

For a pleasant stroll along the coastline (1.1 kilometres one-way), the Burrawang Walk begins at the Visitor Centre and lets you imagine what Kamay Botany Bay looked like in 1770, featuring interpretive signs on the cultural and natural history.

Blue Mountains National Park – Two hours West of Sydney, the Blue Mountains has sensational views over deep valley troughs that were incredibly formed over millions of years.

The Fairfax Heritage Walking Track meanders from the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre to the dramatic cliffs and lookout of Govetts Leap at Blackheath. The wheelchair accessible path winds over gentle slopes, skirting the edge of a unique hanging swap. You can see various native flora and fauna from Peppermint and Scribbly Gums to the vibrant red Waratahs, as well as many other colourful wildflowers.

Queensland

Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park, Queensland.

Cape Tribulation, Daintree National Park – Located in far North Queensland, 100km northwest of Cairns and 2 hours north of Port Douglas, Cape Tribulation is one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world. It’s a very special place where the dense trees of the Wet Tropics meet the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef, and two world heritage areas collide.

At Cape Tribulation, the Marja Boardwalk, Dubuji Boardwalk and Kulki Boardwalk are completely wheelchair accessible and another, the Jindalba Boardwalk is partially accessible. For more information see here. There are also a range of accessible tours in Cape Tribulation including exotic fruit tastings and wildlife cruises where you can see crocodiles in their natural habitat!

Great Sandy National Park – Just north of Sunshine Coast, Great Sandy National Park is divided across two areas, Cooloola and Fraser Island. Here you can see staggering views of long sweeping beaches, sand dunes, freshwater lakes, paperbark swaps and wildflowers.

There are wheelchair friendly areas at the Cooloola Recreation Area which spans from Noosa Heads in the south and Rainbow beach in the North. This includes the day use area at Freshwater campsite, the Bymien picnic area, Fig Tree Point and Harry’s camping and day use areas.

Western Australia

Valley of the Giants, Walpole-Nornalup National Park, Western Australia.

Walpole-Nornalup National Park – In South West Australia, Walpole-Nornalup National Park is famous for its towering Karri and Red Tingle Trees. Red Tingle Trees are a stunning sight to see with circumferences of up to 22 metres and growing to heights of 20 metres!

Built over 20 years ago, the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk is wheelchair accessible. Its 600-metre structure placed 40-metres above the ground weaves through spectacular views of the Tingle forest tree-tops. Complimentary wheelchair hire is also available here.

Cape Le Grand National Park –Also South West of Perth, Cape Le Grand National Park is home to one of the best beaches in the world! At Lucky Bay you can see pure white sand, bright turquoise water and local grey Kangaroos who regularly come down to visit!

You can drive right onto the beach in the comfort of your own car but be aware there can be risky conditions so always speak to a ranger about surface and tides first before you drive on. If the conditions aren’t right for a drive on the beach, you can enjoy a picnic overlooking the bay or drive down to see views of Frenchman Peak and Thistle Cove.

For more access to nature South of Perth, check out more information on parks and trails here.

Tasmania

 

Russell Falls, Mount Field National Park, Tasmania.

Mount Field National Park –just a one-hour drive Northwest of Hobart, Mount Field National Park is one of Tasmania’s most loved areas with its diverse vegetation ranging from tall Swamp Gum forests, massive Ferns to Alpine moorlands and plenty of waterfalls to discover.

 

The star attraction of the park is Russell Falls – Tasmania’s most photographed waterfall! The 20-minute return walk to the falls is completely wheelchair accessible. On the way you can see towering Swamp Gums and special types of wet forests including Dogwood, Musk and Myrtle.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park – Located in the central highlands of Tasmania, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park is home to many ancient plants including the King Billy Pine and unusual Beeches. The park’s rich habitat is home to Tasmanian devils, quolls, platypus and echidnas.

The Rainforest Walk starts at the Visitor Centre and is suitable for most independent wheelchair users. The Enchanted Walk starting 30 metres from the Visitor Centre is also wheelchair accessible up until the bridge where there are a few steps.

TrailRiders are available at both locations. To make a booking contact:

• Mount Field National Park Visitor Centre on (03) 6288 1149.
• Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park Visitor Centre on (03) 64 921 110

South Australia

Naracoorte Caves National Park – Situated on the Limestone Coast, approximately 300km South East of Adelaide, the Naracoorte Caves National Park is South Australia’s only World Heritage listed site. It preserves Australia’s most complete fossil record for the past 500,000 years!

The Roof Top Loop Walk is wheelchair accessible, spanning across the Wonambi Fossil Centre with the Bat Observation Centre, Bat Cave and Blanche Cave. There is interpretive signage details the creatures which roamed the land before extinction and markers to indicate when you’re over a cave. Viewing platforms also allow you to see glimpses in the cave interiors where you may see a native bat or two!

Flinders Chase National Park – Getting to this park is a great excuse for a road trip!  Located 110km west of Kingscote on Kangaroo Island, you can get there by taking the Sealink ferry taking your car aboard (45-minutes one-way) from the mainland at Cape Jervis.

Scott Crowley from Push Adventures, exploring Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia.

Flinders Chase National Park has breathtaking scenery known for its stunning rock formations and whale spotting. The Remarkable Rocks Walk is 1km and wheelchair accessible until it reaches the rocky outcrop. There you can see the granite boulders in quirky shapes and sizes, almost like natural artistic sculptures!

On Kangaroo Island, you can also check out the accessible boardwalk at Seal Bay to watch pods of seal pups get together, and take a self-guided drive at Cape Gantheaume Conservation Park.

As industry leaders in Wheelchair Access Vehicle (WAV) conversions, we understand that travelling with a person with a disability or limited mobility can sometimes be challenging. If you’d like to get out and about more, consider a wheelchair access vehicle.

You can call our friendly team on 1300 660 773, or contact us online for an obligation-free vehicle demonstration and consultation in your home, Australia wide.

TOP PLACES FOR GETTING OUT & ABOUT AS A WHEELCHAIR USER IN AUSTRALIA

Everyone loves getting out and about – whether it’s for a special occasion, a change of scenery or taking time for some self-care. For most people, going out for the day, away for a weekend or booking a holiday doesn’t involve much thought beyond location and of course the costs. But for wheelchair users, planning ahead is essential just to make sure they have access to general facilities as well as entertainment for a good time.

While there’s certainly a long way to go before everywhere in Australia is totally inclusive, recently there has been some great progress in making more places wheelchair accessible, alongside new and improved resources to support wheelchair users plan their outings.

Take a look at these 6 resources currently helping wheelchair users in Australia plan and enjoy their days with ease:

1. Lonely Planet’s Accessible Travel Guide – For travel advice, you can download Lonely Planet’s country-by-country accessible guide for free, as well a specific ebook for Accessible Melbourne. Read our blog on accessible entertainment for winter weekends in Melbourne here.

2. Travel without Limits – This is Australia’s first ever disability travel magazine which aims to communicate all the handy tips and details travellers with disabilities need to know.

3. WheelMate – The WheelMate app helps you find wheelchair-accessible toilets and parking spaces near you.

4. MLAK Key – A MLAK key gives you access to locked accessible bathroom facilities across Australia.

5. Access Earth – The Access Earth app allows you to find recommendations for accessible places including restaurants, hotels and tourist attractions which have been rated by fellow users, so you can find places which specifically meet your needs.

6. Companion Card – If you have a permanent disability and always need the assistance of a care giver or companion when you go out, you can use a companion card at participating entertainment venues to get a complimentary ticket for your carer.

If you’re in need of some inspiration for planning what to do on your next day off, road trip or family holiday, here are some of the best nationally run organisations in Australia with wheelchair access, which also accept companion cards:

Sports

If you’re after spectator entertainment you can check out the following:

• AFL – Watching an Australian Rules football game in Melbourne is always a great excuse to get out of the house when the colder months roll in. You can rug up with a blanket and enjoy a hot pie while watching a game. If you want to plan ahead, you can book through Ticketek.
• Australian Rugby Union – If you’re not a footy fan, you can catch some great spectator action at Qantas Wallabies Test Matches and International Rugby Sevens. Book your next game here.
• V8 Supercars – If you’re into a need for speed, V8 Supercars is a touring car racing category based in Australia with events country wide all the way from Townsville to Tasmania. You can feel the wind in your face as you watch these unique cars make it to the finish line!
• Tennis Australia – Sit back in the sunshine in the summertime and watch the tennis hall of fame sweat it out at the Australian Open. If things get too heated, there’s endless entertainment on the grounds where you can cool down and enjoy live music.

Fitness

Keeping fit is essential for overall health and wellbeing. If you want to make the most out of your exercise routine, these community-oriented gyms have plenty of recreational activities on offer:

There are over 4200 organisations in Australia currently accepting Companion Cards.

Fitness First – If you’re new to starting a fitness regime, Fitness First offers a 5-day trail pass at all group fitness classes so you can see what you enjoy at your local gym before having to make any commitments.

YMCA – Core services at the YMCA include health and wellbeing, sport and recreation, youth services, children’s services, camping as well as community development! They have a variety of membership options to suit your personal lifestyle and activity level.

Performing Arts & Music

If you’re theatrical or musically inclined, there are several productions across Australia to scope out throughout the year:

• Australian Chamber Orchestra – With more than 100 concerts each year, you can catch the internationally famed, breathtaking waves and explosive performances of theACO across Australiafor an unforgeable experience.
• Circus Oz – For a little something out of the ordinary,dive into a wondrous realm of stunning visual projections, jaw dropping acrobats and awe inspiring shows with Circus Oz for endless entertainment.
• The Australian Ballet – Be dazzled by the dancing and the costumes of the beautiful Australian Ballet. You can choose from season packages to single tickets to suit your schedule.

Movies

There’s nothing like sitting back to relax and enjoy the surround sound in the cinema with some popcorn and a Choc Top. You can experience box office movies at:

• Village – Enjoy the Gold Class luxury experience or save your pennies with cheaper, $13 Tuesday tickets when you apply for a free membership with Village cinemas online.
• Hoyts – If Hoyts is your local cinema you can seat yourself in LUX (similar to Gold Class). Also, having recently simplified their pricing, tickets now range from $12 up to $19 for a standard session.

Need more inspiration for getting out and about?

Read our blogs on:

• Accessible Holiday Destinations in Australia
• Accessible Extreme Sports in Australia
• Fun & Accessible Activities for Children in a Wheelchair

As Industry leaders in Wheelchair Access Vehicle (WAV) conversions, we understand that living with a disability or limited mobility can sometimes be challenging. If you’d like to get out and about more, consider a Wheelchair Access Vehicle which we can adapt to suit your specific needs.

Call our friendly team on 1300 660 773 or contact us online for an obligation-free vehicle demonstration and consultation in your home, Australia wide.

BENEFITS OF HAVING AN ASSISTANCE DOG FOR WHEELCHAIR USERS

Dogs are spirited bundles of joy to have around and keep you company. While typically they’re known for being loyal pets, they can also help people in everyday life. Assistance dogs or ‘dogs with jobs’ as people like to call them are specially trained across legal, educational and healthcare departments to help people carry out certain tasks.

In the healthcare sector, assistance dogs are handled by physical therapists and psychologists to facilitate recovery and symptom management for patients. They are also frequently adopted by people with disabilities for their physical and emotional benefits.

Specially trained dogs can help guide people with visual impairments, alert those who are deaf to certain sounds, and give wheelchair users greater freedom and security.

If you’re considering an assistance dog for yourself or a loved one, read on to find out how they can make a difference to your life…you might be surprised just what they can do to help!

1. Help with Routine Tasks

Assistance dogs are incredibly well-trained and can help carry out many everyday tasks like opening doors, flipping light switches, fetching tissues and retrieving anything that’s accidentally dropped on the ground. In some cases, they can even load and unload laundry from the washer and dryer! Other handy tasks they can perform include pressing street crossing and elevator buttons.

2. Physical Support

Karen was supported by her assistant dog Brandy at her graduation ceremony in Melbourne’s CBD. See more real-life stories at Assistance Dogs Australia.

For extra safety when manoeuvring from your wheelchair to use the toilet, transfer on and off the couch or get in and out of bed, assistance dogs can help you balance and prevent you from falling. If you struggle getting on and off a footpath in your wheelchair, some larger dogs with a harness attached can also help by pulling you up and down.

If you’re travelling with your dog in the car, remember they require safety too! There are also special dog harnesses available for when they’re in the car with you that are easy to strap on and off.

3. Companionship

Dogs are renowned for being loyal and protective companions. With an assistance dog by your side, you will have good company wherever you go. When they’re not on task, they can provide you with playful entertainment and can ease feelings of loneliness when you’re at home.

4. Increased Independence

With an assistance dog, you can rely less on family members or your carer to do daily tasks like opening and closing doors. Teaming up with a dog who is energetic and always available to assist can give you a greater sense of freedom and independence.

5. Confidence in Social Settings

Dogs often get a lot of attention from others and are a great conversation starter or ice-breaker in any social situation! While people can’t interact with your assistant dog while they’re on duty – you can certainly talk to people and educate them about how assistant dogs work.

If you’d like to find out more about assistance dogs, take a look at Assistance Dogs Australia.

As industry leaders in Wheelchair Access Vehicle (WAV) conversions, we understand that living with a disability or limited mobility can sometimes be challenging. If you’d like to get out and about more, consider a Wheelchair Access Vehicle which we can adapt to suit your specific needs.

Call our friendly team on 1300 660 773, or contact us online for an obligation-free vehicle demonstration and consultation in your home, Australia wide.

HOW TO EXERCISE AS A WHEELCHAIR USER

You don’t need to have full mobility to experience the amazing benefits of an active lifestyle. If a disability, an injury or other health problems have prevented you from traditional exercise, there are still ways to kick-start a healthier lifestyle and stay active.

Exercise can help improve your life in many ways. Being in a wheelchair shouldn’t stop you from maintaining good health.

Exercise can help improve physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, leading to a much better outlook on life. While there can be challenges that come with being in a wheelchair, exercise can be easier than you may think.

Perhaps you have become frail with age and now find exercise difficult. The trick is to adopt a creative approach when it comes to exercising in a wheelchair, to help overcome any physical barriers and to find different and enjoyable ways of being active and healthy, improving your overall wellbeing.

How regular exercise can help

What constitutes as exercise and physical activity can vary. However, a good target to aim for is around 30 minutes of physical activity per day. Regular exercise or physical activity can help in a wide range of areas, such as;

• Improved blood circulation
• Keeping your weight under control
• Improved blood cholesterol levels
• Boost in energy levels
• Managing stress
• Releasing tension
• Ease anxiety and depression

While this isn’t an exhaustive list, exercise has been proven to help improve physical and mental wellness to prolong optimal health. Read more about the benefits of physical activity here.

Types of exercise

It’s important to remember that any type of physical activity or exercise will offer health benefits to you. No matter what your physical condition, you should to incorporate three different types of exercise or activity into your life, if you can. Some popular types are:

Cardiovascular exercises. These help to improve your heart, circulation and endurance. Some examples you can try are;

• Simple air-punching or repetitive movements
• Traveling a certain distance in a manual wheelchair – if you’re able to use a manual wheelchair
• Using a Nintendo Wii or games console that promotes physical activity and dexterity
• Swimming – many swimming pools across Australia provide easy access and great facilities to people in wheelchairs. Check with your local council

Strength training exercises. Strength training exercises involve using weights or other resistance to strengthen the body’s muscles and bones. This is very important, especially for those in wheelchairs, as unused muscles can become weak and depleted.

If you have limited mobility, you can try;

• Using weights – This may sound daunting if you haven’t done it before, but weights can be as heavy or as light as you’re comfortable with. A few simple reps per day will help to strengthen your muscles
• Using a resistance band with repetitive, sharp motions to build and lengthen muscles

Flexibility exercises. These types of exercises help to enhance your range of motion, prevent any injuries and reduce any stiffness you may have. Being in a wheelchair can often bring a lot of stiffness to the body, so by integrating flexibility exercises into your life, may help you feel more limber.

You could try;

• Stretching – you should stretch before any exercise, as frequent stretching helps to loosen the muscles and warm them up, ready for exercise
• Yoga – If you’re able to, why not try and take a yoga class to help further improve your flexibility. It can also help you relax and de-stress and there are many wheelchair-friendly stretches for you to try

Sports – team or individual. Sport is an incredibly enjoyable way to keep healthy. If you’re interested, you may want to take part in a disability sport, such as basketball, football, soccer, tennis – and there are many more options, too!

Check out Disability Sports Australia for information about how to get involved. With your wheelchair access vehicle, it’ll make participating so easy!

Preparing for exercise

Before you begin exercising regularly, you should seek medical clearance from your doctor or physical therapist, as they can advise you on what activities may be suitable for your medical condition, needs and capabilities.

If you have any more questions on how to be more active or how a wheelchair access vehicle can be used to benefit an active lifestyle, you can contact our team here. We’ll be more than happy to support and guide you along the way.

At Automobility, our main goal is to improve mobility, helping to give you back some freedom. We’ll work with you to understand your needs, along with your family and/or carer, to offer you a tailored solution and provide the support you need to remain independent as long as possible.

You can call our dedicated team on 1800 662 454, or contact us online for an obligation-free vehicle demonstration and consultation in your state. Let us help you to become more mobile and experience all that life has to offer!