Driving appliances for upper limb amputees

Abstract

The advice given to upper limb amputees in the United Kingdom with regard to the use of driving appliances has often been somewhat variable. At best a full rehabilitation package has been provided, including the fitting of the appliances to the person's vehicle and contact with the driver's instructor, to the other exireme of issuing driving appliances to patients with no instruction at all. Though upper limb amputations are not a relevant or prospective disability, all drivers with a “limb disablility” are legally required, in the UK, to declare changes in their hpysical state to the Driver and Vehicle Loicensing Agency. This study examines the current usage of driving appliances. It was found that the level of upper limb loss has little effect on where the driving appliance is placed or on any other aspect of driving method used. © 1995, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.