Ashley, I don't think I've ever enjoyed one of your videos more than this. I have a personal connection and that may be why. My daughter has Cerebral Palsy and uses an electric wheelchair and we have an adapted vehicle with a rear ramp. You covered everything I was thinking as I watched the video, him saying thanks to other drivers, filling up with petrol, what if he gets stuck in the vehicle etc... Absolutely brilliant! And my daughter also does Powerchair Football and loves it! Her coaches were actually at the World Cup in Australia doing some refereeing etc.. She plays for Middlesbrough. p.s. If anyone is reading this and is thinking about joining a Powerchair Football team then look at Caudwell Children as they are a charity that often sponsor the price for a new chair (around £6000) and it's brilliant for people in a wheelchair to be able to do some sport, go do it! Best video I've seen on TH-cam in a LONG time, I can't stop smiling!!!
Absolutely agree 100%, one of your best yet, Ashley 💖 My brother is disabled with Cerebral Palsy, although he's a lot worse than Jack and is unable to do pretty much anything for himself, he certainly couldn't drive. But he does have a Motability car, which has to be driven by one of his carers. Trouble is, not all of them are insured, so he can't always go anywhere just when he wants to😿 But kudos to Jack, he's certainly overcoming his problems, and is probably one of the best drivers I've ever seen.
@@TestGearJunkie. If you set up the portal through Motability you can switch drivers when you want without having to telephone them. You can have 3 permanent drivers on the insurance too.
@@TestGearJunkie. We have a disabled grandson, he is blind and in a wheelchair, he has an open insurance policy which enables anyone with a full driving licence to drive his motability car, he has to be with them or going on his behalf.
I'm tempted to offer up the rally car once Iv finished rebuilding it. Imo it would be quite an interesting video, abit of the usual road driving followed by testing at somewhere like sweet lamb 🤷♂️
@@thealchemist8422 I don't quite get that (extra word?). 40% of disabled adults do not have a driving license compared with ~25% of able bodied adults.
Thank you so much Ashley! It’s great to share awareness of driving with a disability and the independence it gives. And thank you guys for the amazing comments too!
what a lovely insight into something i’m almost ashamed to say i never even considered. if every driver had the chance to see what sort of adaptions and challenges are present for disabled people i think the world would be a far nicer and more considerate place to drive in. and massive props to jack for being such a good sport and a kind human.
It's very important to be thankful for the things that you do have. Sight, smell, hearing, limbs, etc. All it takes is an instant to change all of that, & no one is untouchable. If you ever find yourself in a rut, try to remember that it could always be worse. Thank you for bringing even more awareness to this topic, Ash. It needs to be known across the world, in all corners.
Goodness me yes! I couldn’t agree more! Take smell for example, smell disorders were not well heard of before covid came along. Sure, you have people who are born without smell - but it’s rare. And then you have people who sustain head injuries and lose their smell through this, and very occasionally through cancers of the nose, or a really bad cold. But then Covid came along and changed everything and now it’s more common than ever. I’m at almost a year of having very little smell, and as a result, impaired taste along with it (since 90% of flavour actually comes from smell. A very special kind of smell known as ‘retronasal olfaction’, where smells of food and drink are wafted to the back of the nose and combined with sweet/salty etc. on the tongue to produce full flavour) I never realised how much I relied on my smell when I had it and the enjoyment it brought to my life, and it’s been taken from me. I’ll never take anything for granted again. My mum got covid nearly two months ago and she also can’t taste or smell very well at all. I just want to be able to taste a pizza properly again! So in short, appreciate everything you have. Your health, and your happiness. I couldn’t agree with you more. Take care
@@jbcentral1545 Thank you very much for sharing your story, JB. I'm wishing you & your family well. You all deserve the best in life. Take care of yourselves, as well. Be safe. ❤️
What a brilliant video. It would not have occurred to me to create a video about driving a converted vehicle, and it offers such an insight into something I knew about but have never seen in-cab. Thank you to Jack for letting us see your van and driving in action. Nice one.
Huge respect to the guys. My Dad was one of the first driving instructors who solely taught people with disability over 30 years ago. Sadly gone now but he loved doing the lessons - it helped so much with their confidence & freedom to get out & about .... Miss you Dad ❤❤
As a professional driver, and someone who's a big petrolhead, I've often wondered about adapted vehicles and how these react. You obviously can't put as quick steering input in, as you are governed by what the electric servos can output, but they are very powerful units. I was a carer for a chap in a non-powered wheelchair that used the old-style hand controls for the accelerator and brake. Thanks go to Jack for permitting us an insight into his vehicle, and to Ashley for asking some of the more in-depth questions. As far as I can see, these vehicles are a lifeline for those who otherwise would not be able to get around. Thoroughly intriguing and now i fully respect anyone who needs to use adapted vehicles to get around.
Thank you for making this video. Mike Jack I have also got Spinal Muscular Atrophy. I used to drive a van like Jack (my first was a Mercedes Vito) but instead of two joysticks I had one joystick controlled both accelerating and breaking and the steering. I also had a "bleeping system" that controlled all of the primary control. My second vehicle (with the same controls) was a Renault. Unfortunately my disability has worsened and I much weaker nowadays so I cannot drive a vehicle even using the ultra lightweight joystick that Jack is driving with.
I don't often comment on videos, but I just want to say well done to Jack for how well he came across: I know that I would find doing an interview while driving really hard, and I dont have to "count the beeps"! 5* to both of you :)
Unbelievable. I know of someone who got a distinction in their Masters (IAM) who took it in an adapted vehicle. It's so impressive to me. Thanks for sharing Jack!
Motability is worthy . The main thing I have got from this is to be mindful in all situations , driving, walking just being . We know nothing about what is going on in their heads . There are hidden disabilities too . In a world where you can be anything BE KIND. 👍 great video thank you.
Jack is a ducking legend, enough said. Great Guy, and great driving from the ladd. Props to you Ashley for seeing the ladd and raising awareness of people who need to be shown more care and attention while out on the road. Jack is a really nice ladd. Love his attitude towards things. Inspiration to us all.
I’ve just passed my test as a disabled driver within the last week. I use push/pull hand controls with an indicator switch and a steering ball. It’s amazing to see what can be done these days with adaptions to help disabled people overcome their limitations and be able to drive. The beeps and noises would probably drive me nuts but that’s not a criticism in the slightest. I couldn’t imagine what it’s like to drive on controls like those! Massive respect to you Jack. Such an inspirational story. I wish you many years of happy motoring mate. Thank you for covering this Ashley an extremely insightful video. I don’t think disability driving always gets the coverage it deserves. Great to see 👍
My great uncle had a Morris Minor which had been adapted by putting a ball on the steering wheel, the clutch control was a grip on the gear stick, accelerator and brake were on the steering column, linked mechanically to the pedals - things have moved on somewhat since the 1960s / 1970s. Thanks for sharing your driving Jack - and Ashley for publishing it. Even in those days I can remember impatient drivers cutting him up as he toddled along, impatience is not a new thing !
Absolutely amazing. It's awesome to see how far a vehicle can be adapted. I have and drive an adapted vehicle but Jack's van is top tier. I hope he has many years of happy motoring!
i love the constant smile on ashley's face in this, just showing how amazing and impressive these systems are to enable to have the freedom that once they may not have been able to achieve. i can imagine to some people it's priceless. it's an amazing system and it's so good that motability offers it to so many people who need it, or adapt a vehicle to be able to hold a wheelchair to allow someone to drive them around
Isn't it amazing what can be done these days! This is what I would call a proper use of technology! Jack must feel so much more independent and free with this vehicle! Bravo
Interesting topic. My disability is much less severe and disruptive than Jack's, because I have a below-the-knee right leg amputation, and I wear a prothetic. Had I lost my LEFT foot, I could simply drive an automatic, because I would just use my able right foot, but because I'd lost my RIGHT foot, I had to have an automatic with a left foot accellerator, so I could use my able left foot. I tried to drive using my prosthetic equipped right foot, but transferring from the accellerator to the brake and back again was clumsy and slow, leading to too many errors, but adapting to driving with my left foot didn't take long. The only problem with that was that whenever we went away, none of the hire companies had cars with the adaptation I needed, and could only offer cars with hand control kits. I drove one of these on holiday once, and didn't get on with it, so my wife took over the driving duties, which was a shame, because I enjoy driving. Just as well, though, because I found out later that my licence didn't cover me for using hand controls! My solution was to learn to left-foot brake, and use my prosthetic on my right foot for the accellerator, removing the clumsy element of transferring from one pedal to the other. I'd actually had plenty of practise doing this because I had played computer racing games with a gaming wheel and pedals, where left foot braking was required in order to go fast. I have to move my whole leg to operate the accellerator, so it can be tiring, but at least I am able to drive any vehicle with a two-pedal control system, ICE auto or electric.
This is a great video, as someone with a disability learning to drive I can attest to how difficult it is, even my instructor has said he doesn't know how I have the coordination to do it all.
It's like a spaceship or a flight sim system, this is absolutely fascinating. I can't even fathom the sensation from driving a vehicle with sticks like this but it genuinely feels like an RC car, another thing that's simply awesome. Jack, massive respect for you making your disability work in your favour and not letting it get in the way whenever possible. Ashley, thank you for documenting this. Good stuff right here. For the stick curves, I wonder if they could just put a little computer in there so you can customise it like I can the trigger curves on my Steam Controller. And the steering, Jack mentioned that he only uses miniscule input to turn around gentle bends which makes sense, it reacts like a game controller analogue stick, but wouldn't a 3-axis joystick help here? You've got forward/back/left/right, what about yaw left/right too, then map and mix that with the X motion of the stick so you gently turn the stick to imitate a gentle turn, then use the X motion like normal for bigger turns? Would be tough to get used to, but so would any of this to an able bodied person
Can’t imagine how difficult it is to operate such a vehicle , but he made it look so easy, credit to him. He seems like a very well rounded and nice guy . Very informative video too.
so concerning the controls, i genuinely think id prefer this type of control to drive a car, i don't need it but it seems intuitive to me. I used to drive a rough terrain container handler and you'd control with hands and feet, this seems like a fantastic system. its like that experiment where someone tries for 9 months to learn to ride a bike where the steering is opposite, then they give it to a child that cant ride a bike and they learn it in 5 minutes. if this is all you know, then its perfectly fine and its shown by jack here where he talks and drives with ease. It would be hard to switch from a standard car to this for most people but if its how you learn, its second nature.
I am seriously impressed! Jacks driving is so controlled. I would love to have a drive in such a motor just to experience how difficult it is, probably best attempted in an empty car park. The fuelling up problem would have never entered my head, it's not that I'm ignorant of dissabilities, I have a Deaf neice and a bDL user I also used to teach IT to the Blind, it's just awareness often needs to be experienced or taught. Ashley, I used to drive off road, trials courses, we often blindfolded the driver and had a passanger direct them, so even the blind can drive but not advised in traffic!
It is amazing how technology has evolved with advanced applications to suit individuals. It is very interesting to watch and understand. He is by far one of the best in vehicle control whilst driving, really as the road users of today are less considerate to others and always in a rush to get somewhere.
My brother has got a T6/T7 spinal injury, which means he’s got no feelings below the chest. He uses a push/pull lever attached to the steering column on the right hand side pushed to break and pull to accelerate with a very little two-way switch on the top for indicators, this enables him to drive his car with no issues although he has no lower body control. He uses his hands only hence the reason hand control.
Hats off to Ashley and Jack for bringing this to a wider audience who may not have thought about different abilities of road users. Remember to be a good driver, share and care on the road. I'm not talking only to the 4 circles and fours parts of circle drivers.
This was excellent. Jack is clearly very competent and confident considering his relative lack of experience. I learnt some stuff about the requirements of adapted vehicle driving. Ashley "You're not being judged". Also Ashley "We're going to talk about the flash in a minute" lolz
Great video. Yes, Motabiliy are brilliant to deal with. The adaptations on this vehicle are amazing and show that disability doesn't have to exclude you from driving and it is possible to maintain your independence. I'm a wheelchair user and have just the basic push/pull hand controls but they were a game changer for me otherwise I would've had to give up driving 4 years ago.
I can see the thinking for the beep system for people with limited mobility in their fingers, but for those able to I'd have thought having separate thumb buttons like gaming or digger joysticks would be better. I'd certainly feel more comfortable having instant access to lights, indicators, etc. I assume there's a reason for it being the way it is, but interesting all the same.
That is an adaptation that exists, but I don't know if you can have it with this system. The problem is the joystick is very sensitive (maybe 1/3 the travel, so 3x as sensitive compared with a pedal) so the small movement in your hand when you reach for the buttons will be amplified significantly
Some people complain about paying taxes. THIS is the kind of thing we pay for. I'd happily pay as much tax as needed to be able to give amazing people like Jack the ability to also live life. What a great vehicle, kudos to the companies that adapted it, and what a great video showcase. Fascinating to watch. Thank you.
A brilliant insight into driving with a disability and the brilliant adaptations that gets done to these vehicles to make a disabled persons life as normal as possible, brilliant video again Ashley👍
Very interesting video, good to understand the adaptations and how they work in use. Thanks Jack for sharing and Ashley for putting this video together 👍
A thought that occurs to me… is there any particular mitigation or measures in the vehicle adaptation for the fact that there’s now no driver airbag? Does that affect driver safety in any way?
Absolutely superb video & good driving Jack. This also reminded me of a situation I had when I worked for the ambulance service. We left our vehicle parked with the ramp down whilst taking a stretcher into a property. We returned to the vehicle with patient on the stretcher only to find a car had actually parked on our ramp. We had to go door knocking. Our ramp stayed parallel to the ground not sloped like Jack's.
I'd have contacted control and called the cops and fierys to come and move the car out of the way physically..! Reminds me of the story of a cyclist who was bombing along with his head down and rode straight up the ramp into the ambulance 🤣
If every driver on the road were to drive as well as Jack then the roads would be a lot safer for everyone. Fascinating video. I myself am disabled with arthritis but fortunate enough to still be reasonably mobile despite not being a driver. The point about losing certain abilities really does hit home with me as I'm becoming more aware of my limitations of movement as I get older and the arthritis progresses. The other point about giving disabled people room is also an important one for us disabled pedestrians. People just don't seem to appreciate that we need a little more room or a little more time to do things able bodied people can do easily. I think this video could be used in driver training to make learner drivers aware of the needs of disabled drivers on the roads. It is certainly an eye-opener.
Great video , thanks both for sharing on TH-cam. I am a disabled driving instructor, have been doing now for around 5 years. I have been driving with push/pull hand controls for 32 years and teach people how to drive using them, as well as able-bodied people who want to learn to drive.
I am amazed at how far adaptable vehicles have come and honestly thought what I saw was not even possible. I like how you, Ashley, could not take a moment off from being an instructor XD
so i love the fact the acceleration is the same as a train. Im a train driver (we met at chester station once) and to accelerate a train you pull the power lever and brake lever towards you. to brake you push them away from you. this is because if a driver loses mobility for whatever reason, and you fall forward, the train stops. i assume its the same in this car. Fail safe. this is genuinely intriguing and i love this video and what a star jack is. brilliant.
What a fantastic and fascinating video. Jack was great at talking through all the controls and thought processes. Has Jack done any coaching or training for others in a similar position? I think he’d be good at it.
Absolutely best video I have watched in awhile. Years ago while at college, we had a chap like Jack on our course. Adaptions and aids have come along way in 35 years. For a communications project, we went round the campus identifying issues, and made a video of the student’s life round the campus. The building was fairly recent in that in had been designed in the late 1960’s, built in the 1970’s and poorly designed by 1986 especially for disabled access. The film we made was shown to the college’s board, a good many solutions to the problems we identified were found. Even providing a bigger space to park. Kudos to Jack allowing Ash to observe his driving, nerve wracking! Well done to you both! The video was both educational and interesting! ❤
This is a fantastic video that shows people with disabilities can do anything that put their mind to it. Thank you, Ashley, for showing this to us,your a absolute legend and I really appreciate all that you film. Best of luck Jack in the future and keep driving!
Great video, I also have a VW caddy with the same joystick setup the van is form motability and I can say having this van has changed my life and has made me so much more independent, very good video.
Well done Jack. I don’t think I could perform as well as you did with Ash sat in the car. Brilliant video, giving us all an insight into driving with disabilities. Thanks Ash 👍
That was incredibly informative and incredibly interesting. Great job on the driving Jack too, that all looked very smooth. That sequential beeping thing you need to count would drive me mad though. I'd be looking for some other sort of input there using a dial or something, dunno. Feels very weird commenting on a bespoke disability system as a non-user and able-bodied driver, of course. Great video Ashley, thanks for doing this. Definitely a few takeaways on this one about being conscious of others abilities/requirements and I'll be on the lookout for joysticks at the pumps to offer filling up.
This videos is absolutely inspiring. Good on him for conquering driving and not letting his disability get in the way. As a robotics engineer the way this has been developed is fascinating to me, great video!
I did 48 hours in an and e wheelchair from a foot injury and after I could walk agaib I was so pleased to be able to do things on my own. Hats off to this guy whose done like 15 years in a wheelchair and I struggled 48 hours.
I've been out and about all day but rest assured I will most certainly watch this soon and comment. Massive kudos to your viewer for putting themselves forward for an Ashley video for all of us to see.
WoW Ashley. That was really interesting and very educational for me. The ramp part, although I have never parked close to anything that has a sticker with the 3mtr space, I don't know anybody that is disabled and so I would be thinking that they would probably just get out with crutches or something and open the back up to get the wheelchair out, but now I have seen this, now I know why and I have been educated. Also, I have to admit with the 'thanking people' part, I have done it loads of times where I let somebody out or something with no thank you, and I've said in my head, "don't Mention it, oh you didn't" so that will change now. Really good video Ashley and Jack of course.
What a great video. It is so important for people with disabilities to have as much independence as possible. I comment as someone with restricted mobility although not as severe as Jack. I would be lost without my car, which I can drive without adaptation. On the point of pavement parking, the Scottish Government has just brought in a law to allow councils to fine drivers £100 for this. Edinburgh Council will be the first to do so in January.
Probably my favourite video of yours yet. A huge teaching moment for me as well. I knew some vehicle adaptations existed, but not ones this extensive! Jack's driving is very smooth and you would not get the impression that the controls were sensitive if he didn't tell you! It also makes me ask - if Jack can drive this smoothly and carefully, why can't other, able bodied drivers with no adaptations?
A day late but have finally watched the video and what a cracking watch it was. I hope this gets into everyones YT feed to watch as it shows how driving can be opened up to everyone while at the same time showing how different driving styles are quite often normal. Going square on the give way for a junction going left…they aren’t leaving room for you to pass on the left. Some of those modifications are absolute genius, using motorised mechanical linkages to perform a gear selection. I wonder if a fully electronic gearbox isn’t an option or too problematic on the Transit? The only difference I would like to see is with the steering control to have an option that makes it less sensitive above a certain speed…or even it is was a manual switch…so that bumps and multilane roads aren’t as twitchy on the steering input. However, as Jack said, it is something you get used to and I am sure we can all relate to that with at least one vehicle we have owned…the one with its own little thing that only you as the driver can anticipate and appreciate. Good driving Jack, love your attitude on the road and keep doing what you do 👍
What an inspirational video. Jack drives so smoothly and confidently, a pleasure to see how well he manages a very different set of controls. How things have changed. Over forty years ago, when I started in the trade, we would fit hand controls to otherwise standard automatic cars. The control levers clamped round the steering column and operated the normal pedals by special rods. You could still drive with the normal controls as well. Ford Escorts were a popular model for conversion.
Thats so cool. I once worked for jct 600 and got told a transporter t5 was disability enabled and got asked weather or not id be able to operate it. Being the big i am. I said yeh be fine. Ill be honest i could not start the bus up. It had small stering wheel and pedals that were hand operated. I was back in the office 10 mins later red faced and embarrassed not being able to start it and had to ask for help!. Big up jack. Hes a driver thats cool van to be driving
What a guy Jack is for volunteering. Excellent video, interesting to see how it is driving with a disability and how they can adapt vehicles to suit people's needs.
I was in Cardiff earlier this year and saw a Ford Tourneo just like this parked up on one of the side streets. I was curious at the time as to how you would operate such a vehicle, and I've got to say from watching this video it's very impressive how much a vehicle can now be adapted to accommodate various disabilities. Kudos to Jack in the video, his driving was so controlled and smooth, something all types of drivers can learn from.
What a tremendous vlog. Great insight into how Jack drives this adapted vehicle. The more we know as drivers from all aspects will help us more. Brilliant well done Ashley.
there is so much criticism for technology in the modern age but this video shows just what a pleasure it is to live in a technologically advanced world!
That was fascinating, what an incredible vehicle and interesting chap. His driving seemed incredibly smooth and fluid, which looking at the controls must take some doing.
Very interesting, it never ceases to amaze me how people can adapt, and remembering those little blue three wheelers of years ago, how the technology has improved.
Enjoyed watching that! I’ve always been curious about how many people with physical disabilities cope with driving. He made a complicated system look so easy!
Great video ashley👏 and kudos to jack for taking us along for the ride! Driving with a disability was definitely something I hadn't really thought about as an able bodied driver, but jack's insight will give me confidence in not hindering motability vehicles. Especially the parts about how his driving manner may appear slightly different at first but is only a reflection of what is safest for him. 😀 Keep up the good work!
Interesting episode and great to see the adapted vehicle working so well for Jack. 34:00 regarding people parking too close to the rear of the vehicle, I would be tempted to get a 3 metre length of hazard bunting, tie one end to a traffic cone and the other to an eyebolt magnet. Stick the magnet to the car boot and put the cone out to mark the access gap.
Would probably hard for him to put out a cone every time though. Maybe a visual or auditory warning when the vehicle is parked and someone/something comes to close from behind to grab attention.
@@dustdriverdd I don't think it would be needed every time. Just the odd occasion roadside parking is the only option. A visual warning might also work, could use parking proximity sensors to detect a close vehicle and flash a warning.
I'm going to look at options to help me. I struggle to use my left arm so something like a steering wheel knob so I can steer 1 handed safely and controls I can reach easier with my left. It really is amazing what they can do now. That joystick is another option but I want to keep it so my family can drive it too.
Ashley, I don't think I've ever enjoyed one of your videos more than this. I have a personal connection and that may be why. My daughter has Cerebral Palsy and uses an electric wheelchair and we have an adapted vehicle with a rear ramp. You covered everything I was thinking as I watched the video, him saying thanks to other drivers, filling up with petrol, what if he gets stuck in the vehicle etc... Absolutely brilliant! And my daughter also does Powerchair Football and loves it! Her coaches were actually at the World Cup in Australia doing some refereeing etc.. She plays for Middlesbrough.
p.s. If anyone is reading this and is thinking about joining a Powerchair Football team then look at Caudwell Children as they are a charity that often sponsor the price for a new chair (around £6000) and it's brilliant for people in a wheelchair to be able to do some sport, go do it!
Best video I've seen on TH-cam in a LONG time, I can't stop smiling!!!
Love to read this and so happy its brought a big smile to your face. Have a great weekend everyone!
Absolutely agree 100%, one of your best yet, Ashley 💖 My brother is disabled with Cerebral Palsy, although he's a lot worse than Jack and is unable to do pretty much anything for himself, he certainly couldn't drive. But he does have a Motability car, which has to be driven by one of his carers. Trouble is, not all of them are insured, so he can't always go anywhere just when he wants to😿 But kudos to Jack, he's certainly overcoming his problems, and is probably one of the best drivers I've ever seen.
@@TestGearJunkie. If you set up the portal through Motability you can switch drivers when you want without having to telephone them. You can have 3 permanent drivers on the insurance too.
@@TestGearJunkie. We have a disabled grandson, he is blind and in a wheelchair, he has an open insurance policy which enables anyone with a full driving licence to drive his motability car, he has to be with them or going on his behalf.
Whether you have a disability or not, inviting Ash over to film you driving for TH-cam takes big kahunas!!!
He's welcome to come watch me, but I drive a diesel mondeo so it may be a little boring! I have a lot to learn though. 😮
Anyone with a disability drives can drive and I bet you they’re better than normal experienced drivers at driving
I'm tempted to offer up the rally car once Iv finished rebuilding it. Imo it would be quite an interesting video, abit of the usual road driving followed by testing at somewhere like sweet lamb 🤷♂️
@@RikAindowI own a diesel Mondeo, but it's fast and AWD. It's also got a good interior because it's a vignale model.
@@thealchemist8422 I don't quite get that (extra word?).
40% of disabled adults do not have a driving license compared with ~25% of able bodied adults.
Thank you so much Ashley! It’s great to share awareness of driving with a disability and the independence it gives. And thank you guys for the amazing comments too!
Nice one Jack! Keep safe mate.
FairPlay Jack….you drive in a very calm and considerate manner, a lot of drivers could take a lot from you’re attitude towards driving….👍👌🇮🇲
Thanks, Jack. Good of you to let Ashley film, Brilliant insight.
THANKS JACK ! A great ìnspiration for us all❤
Love this Jack, we have the same vehicle and a very similar set up, JDHC did my adaptions too 😊
Kudos to Jack for volunteering for this demonstration of driving with a disability, and kudos also to Ash for turning the offer into reality.
what a lovely insight into something i’m almost ashamed to say i never even considered. if every driver had the chance to see what sort of adaptions and challenges are present for disabled people i think the world would be a far nicer and more considerate place to drive in. and massive props to jack for being such a good sport and a kind human.
It's very important to be thankful for the things that you do have. Sight, smell, hearing, limbs, etc. All it takes is an instant to change all of that, & no one is untouchable. If you ever find yourself in a rut, try to remember that it could always be worse. Thank you for bringing even more awareness to this topic, Ash. It needs to be known across the world, in all corners.
Goodness me yes! I couldn’t agree more! Take smell for example, smell disorders were not well heard of before covid came along. Sure, you have people who are born without smell - but it’s rare. And then you have people who sustain head injuries and lose their smell through this, and very occasionally through cancers of the nose, or a really bad cold.
But then Covid came along and changed everything and now it’s more common than ever. I’m at almost a year of having very little smell, and as a result, impaired taste along with it (since 90% of flavour actually comes from smell. A very special kind of smell known as ‘retronasal olfaction’, where smells of food and drink are wafted to the back of the nose and combined with sweet/salty etc. on the tongue to produce full flavour)
I never realised how much I relied on my smell when I had it and the enjoyment it brought to my life, and it’s been taken from me. I’ll never take anything for granted again. My mum got covid nearly two months ago and she also can’t taste or smell very well at all.
I just want to be able to taste a pizza properly again!
So in short, appreciate everything you have. Your health, and your happiness.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Take care
@@jbcentral1545 Thank you very much for sharing your story, JB. I'm wishing you & your family well. You all deserve the best in life. Take care of yourselves, as well. Be safe. ❤️
@@JimsGamingCaveThank you very much! I wish you and your family the best also! ❤️
Sorry for the late response, I’m terrible at replying 🤦♂️
What a brilliant video. It would not have occurred to me to create a video about driving a converted vehicle, and it offers such an insight into something I knew about but have never seen in-cab. Thank you to Jack for letting us see your van and driving in action. Nice one.
Jack seems to be a very unassuming man who is not fazed by any difficulties in life that may come his way.
Huge respect to the guys. My Dad was one of the first driving instructors who solely taught people with disability over 30 years ago. Sadly gone now but he loved doing the lessons - it helped so much with their confidence & freedom to get out & about .... Miss you Dad ❤❤
As a professional driver, and someone who's a big petrolhead, I've often wondered about adapted vehicles and how these react. You obviously can't put as quick steering input in, as you are governed by what the electric servos can output, but they are very powerful units.
I was a carer for a chap in a non-powered wheelchair that used the old-style hand controls for the accelerator and brake.
Thanks go to Jack for permitting us an insight into his vehicle, and to Ashley for asking some of the more in-depth questions.
As far as I can see, these vehicles are a lifeline for those who otherwise would not be able to get around.
Thoroughly intriguing and now i fully respect anyone who needs to use adapted vehicles to get around.
Thank you for making this video. Mike Jack I have also got Spinal Muscular Atrophy. I used to drive a van like Jack (my first was a Mercedes Vito) but instead of two joysticks I had one joystick controlled both accelerating and breaking and the steering. I also had a "bleeping system" that controlled all of the primary control. My second vehicle (with the same controls) was a Renault. Unfortunately my disability has worsened and I much weaker nowadays so I cannot drive a vehicle even using the ultra lightweight joystick that Jack is driving with.
I don't often comment on videos, but I just want to say well done to Jack for how well he came across: I know that I would find doing an interview while driving really hard, and I dont have to "count the beeps"! 5* to both of you :)
Unbelievable. I know of someone who got a distinction in their Masters (IAM) who took it in an adapted vehicle. It's so impressive to me. Thanks for sharing Jack!
Motability is worthy . The main thing I have got from this is to be mindful in all situations , driving, walking just being . We know nothing about what is going on in their heads . There are hidden disabilities too . In a world where you can be anything BE KIND. 👍 great video thank you.
Jack is a ducking legend, enough said. Great Guy, and great driving from the ladd. Props to you Ashley for seeing the ladd and raising awareness of people who need to be shown more care and attention while out on the road. Jack is a really nice ladd. Love his attitude towards things. Inspiration to us all.
I’ve just passed my test as a disabled driver within the last week. I use push/pull hand controls with an indicator switch and a steering ball.
It’s amazing to see what can be done these days with adaptions to help disabled people overcome their limitations and be able to drive. The beeps and noises would probably drive me nuts but that’s not a criticism in the slightest. I couldn’t imagine what it’s like to drive on controls like those!
Massive respect to you Jack. Such an inspirational story. I wish you many years of happy motoring mate.
Thank you for covering this Ashley an extremely insightful video. I don’t think disability driving always gets the coverage it deserves. Great to see 👍
My great uncle had a Morris Minor which had been adapted by putting a ball on the steering wheel, the clutch control was a grip on the gear stick, accelerator and brake were on the steering column, linked mechanically to the pedals - things have moved on somewhat since the 1960s / 1970s. Thanks for sharing your driving Jack - and Ashley for publishing it. Even in those days I can remember impatient drivers cutting him up as he toddled along, impatience is not a new thing !
What a lovely man jack is! I never knew you could go this far with adaptations on cars
Absolutely amazing. It's awesome to see how far a vehicle can be adapted. I have and drive an adapted vehicle but Jack's van is top tier. I hope he has many years of happy motoring!
i love the constant smile on ashley's face in this, just showing how amazing and impressive these systems are to enable to have the freedom that once they may not have been able to achieve. i can imagine to some people it's priceless. it's an amazing system and it's so good that motability offers it to so many people who need it, or adapt a vehicle to be able to hold a wheelchair to allow someone to drive them around
Isn't it amazing what can be done these days!
This is what I would call a proper use of technology!
Jack must feel so much more independent and free with this vehicle!
Bravo
Interesting topic. My disability is much less severe and disruptive than Jack's, because I have a below-the-knee right leg amputation, and I wear a prothetic. Had I lost my LEFT foot, I could simply drive an automatic, because I would just use my able right foot, but because I'd lost my RIGHT foot, I had to have an automatic with a left foot accellerator, so I could use my able left foot. I tried to drive using my prosthetic equipped right foot, but transferring from the accellerator to the brake and back again was clumsy and slow, leading to too many errors, but adapting to driving with my left foot didn't take long. The only problem with that was that whenever we went away, none of the hire companies had cars with the adaptation I needed, and could only offer cars with hand control kits. I drove one of these on holiday once, and didn't get on with it, so my wife took over the driving duties, which was a shame, because I enjoy driving. Just as well, though, because I found out later that my licence didn't cover me for using hand controls! My solution was to learn to left-foot brake, and use my prosthetic on my right foot for the accellerator, removing the clumsy element of transferring from one pedal to the other. I'd actually had plenty of practise doing this because I had played computer racing games with a gaming wheel and pedals, where left foot braking was required in order to go fast. I have to move my whole leg to operate the accellerator, so it can be tiring, but at least I am able to drive any vehicle with a two-pedal control system, ICE auto or electric.
What a guy Jack is! Fair play.
This is a great video, as someone with a disability learning to drive I can attest to how difficult it is, even my instructor has said he doesn't know how I have the coordination to do it all.
It's like a spaceship or a flight sim system, this is absolutely fascinating. I can't even fathom the sensation from driving a vehicle with sticks like this but it genuinely feels like an RC car, another thing that's simply awesome. Jack, massive respect for you making your disability work in your favour and not letting it get in the way whenever possible. Ashley, thank you for documenting this. Good stuff right here.
For the stick curves, I wonder if they could just put a little computer in there so you can customise it like I can the trigger curves on my Steam Controller. And the steering, Jack mentioned that he only uses miniscule input to turn around gentle bends which makes sense, it reacts like a game controller analogue stick, but wouldn't a 3-axis joystick help here? You've got forward/back/left/right, what about yaw left/right too, then map and mix that with the X motion of the stick so you gently turn the stick to imitate a gentle turn, then use the X motion like normal for bigger turns? Would be tough to get used to, but so would any of this to an able bodied person
Can’t imagine how difficult it is to operate such a vehicle , but he made it look so easy, credit to him. He seems like a very well rounded and nice guy . Very informative video too.
so concerning the controls, i genuinely think id prefer this type of control to drive a car, i don't need it but it seems intuitive to me. I used to drive a rough terrain container handler and you'd control with hands and feet, this seems like a fantastic system. its like that experiment where someone tries for 9 months to learn to ride a bike where the steering is opposite, then they give it to a child that cant ride a bike and they learn it in 5 minutes. if this is all you know, then its perfectly fine and its shown by jack here where he talks and drives with ease. It would be hard to switch from a standard car to this for most people but if its how you learn, its second nature.
Fascinating video - thank you Jack for having us along for the drive!
I am seriously impressed! Jacks driving is so controlled. I would love to have a drive in such a motor just to experience how difficult it is, probably best attempted in an empty car park. The fuelling up problem would have never entered my head, it's not that I'm ignorant of dissabilities, I have a Deaf neice and a bDL user I also used to teach IT to the Blind, it's just awareness often needs to be experienced or taught. Ashley, I used to drive off road, trials courses, we often blindfolded the driver and had a passanger direct them, so even the blind can drive but not advised in traffic!
It's been known, there are several examples here on YT 😵💫
It is amazing how technology has evolved with advanced applications to suit individuals. It is very interesting to watch and understand. He is by far one of the best in vehicle control whilst driving, really as the road users of today are less considerate to others and always in a rush to get somewhere.
That in my opinion ranks as the best video you have shared. An amazing young man driving a very well designed vehicle. Well engineered too.
My brother has got a T6/T7 spinal injury, which means he’s got no feelings below the chest. He uses a push/pull lever attached to the steering column on the right hand side pushed to break and pull to accelerate with a very little two-way switch on the top for indicators, this enables him to drive his car with no issues although he has no lower body control. He uses his hands only hence the reason hand control.
Hats off to Ashley and Jack for bringing this to a wider audience who may not have thought about different abilities of road users. Remember to be a good driver, share and care on the road. I'm not talking only to the 4 circles and fours parts of circle drivers.
This was excellent. Jack is clearly very competent and confident considering his relative lack of experience. I learnt some stuff about the requirements of adapted vehicle driving.
Ashley "You're not being judged". Also Ashley "We're going to talk about the flash in a minute" lolz
Great video. Yes, Motabiliy are brilliant to deal with. The adaptations on this vehicle are amazing and show that disability doesn't have to exclude you from driving and it is possible to maintain your independence. I'm a wheelchair user and have just the basic push/pull hand controls but they were a game changer for me otherwise I would've had to give up driving 4 years ago.
I can see the thinking for the beep system for people with limited mobility in their fingers, but for those able to I'd have thought having separate thumb buttons like gaming or digger joysticks would be better. I'd certainly feel more comfortable having instant access to lights, indicators, etc. I assume there's a reason for it being the way it is, but interesting all the same.
That is an adaptation that exists, but I don't know if you can have it with this system. The problem is the joystick is very sensitive (maybe 1/3 the travel, so 3x as sensitive compared with a pedal) so the small movement in your hand when you reach for the buttons will be amplified significantly
Excellent video, and really informative. Well done to Jack for inviting you along for the ride and allowing you to share this. Thanks, both!
Great video, Jack is a wonderful lad , he seems very competent and calm when driving, he puts normal able bodied drivers to shame…..👍👌🇮🇲
Fantastic Engineering helping out..Great stuff.))
Some people complain about paying taxes. THIS is the kind of thing we pay for. I'd happily pay as much tax as needed to be able to give amazing people like Jack the ability to also live life.
What a great vehicle, kudos to the companies that adapted it, and what a great video showcase. Fascinating to watch. Thank you.
A brilliant insight into driving with a disability and the brilliant adaptations that gets done to these vehicles to make a disabled persons life as normal as possible, brilliant video again Ashley👍
Very interesting video, good to understand the adaptations and how they work in use. Thanks Jack for sharing and Ashley for putting this video together 👍
A thought that occurs to me… is there any particular mitigation or measures in the vehicle adaptation for the fact that there’s now no driver airbag? Does that affect driver safety in any way?
@@markembling Yeah, I was wondering that 🤔
This is really interesting.. I've always wondered about the logistics of driving a car from a wheelchair! Thanks.
Absolutely superb video & good driving Jack.
This also reminded me of a situation I had when I worked for the ambulance service. We left our vehicle parked with the ramp down whilst taking a stretcher into a property. We returned to the vehicle with patient on the stretcher only to find a car had actually parked on our ramp. We had to go door knocking. Our ramp stayed parallel to the ground not sloped like Jack's.
I'd have contacted control and called the cops and fierys to come and move the car out of the way physically..! Reminds me of the story of a cyclist who was bombing along with his head down and rode straight up the ramp into the ambulance 🤣
@@TestGearJunkie. Wished I'd seen him do that 🤣
The adaptations in that car are amazing!! what a great piece of engineering to give someone with disabilities their independence.
If every driver on the road were to drive as well as Jack then the roads would be a lot safer for everyone. Fascinating video. I myself am disabled with arthritis but fortunate enough to still be reasonably mobile despite not being a driver. The point about losing certain abilities really does hit home with me as I'm becoming more aware of my limitations of movement as I get older and the arthritis progresses. The other point about giving disabled people room is also an important one for us disabled pedestrians. People just don't seem to appreciate that we need a little more room or a little more time to do things able bodied people can do easily.
I think this video could be used in driver training to make learner drivers aware of the needs of disabled drivers on the roads. It is certainly an eye-opener.
JACK THANKS FOR THAT ❤ That's the most informative video from Ashley I've watched 👍 THIS SHOULD BE PUT ON MAINSTREAM TV 😊
Huddersfield mentioned 💯💯 17:51. Great vid
Thank you for this one, and thank Jack especially .
Great video , thanks both for sharing on TH-cam. I am a disabled driving instructor, have been doing now for around 5 years. I have been driving with push/pull hand controls for 32 years and teach people how to drive using them, as well as able-bodied people who want to learn to drive.
I am amazed at how far adaptable vehicles have come and honestly thought what I saw was not even possible. I like how you, Ashley, could not take a moment off from being an instructor XD
so i love the fact the acceleration is the same as a train. Im a train driver (we met at chester station once) and to accelerate a train you pull the power lever and brake lever towards you. to brake you push them away from you. this is because if a driver loses mobility for whatever reason, and you fall forward, the train stops. i assume its the same in this car. Fail safe. this is genuinely intriguing and i love this video and what a star jack is. brilliant.
What a fantastic and fascinating video. Jack was great at talking through all the controls and thought processes. Has Jack done any coaching or training for others in a similar position? I think he’d be good at it.
Fascinating video. So interesting to see the adaptions that are possible.
Absolutely best video I have watched in awhile. Years ago while at college, we had a chap like Jack on our course. Adaptions and aids have come along way in 35 years. For a communications project, we went round the campus identifying issues, and made a video of the student’s life round the campus. The building was fairly recent in that in had been designed in the late 1960’s, built in the 1970’s and poorly designed by 1986 especially for disabled access. The film we made was shown to the college’s board, a good many solutions to the problems we identified were found. Even providing a bigger space to park. Kudos to Jack allowing Ash to observe his driving, nerve wracking! Well done to you both! The video was both educational and interesting! ❤
Fascinating video,, was really interesting to hear Jack's recent experience of learning to drive too.
It’s amazing what can be done to Cars/Vans such as this so that it gives so many people with disabilities a chance to drive 👏🏼
Very interesting, amazing technology and smart design 👌 👍 congratulations to the engineers and driver
I spent 20 years adapting homes for disabled and vulnerable ppl so it's great to see how the motor industry copes with such challenges
This is a fantastic video that shows people with disabilities can do anything that put their mind to it.
Thank you, Ashley, for showing this to us,your a absolute legend and I really appreciate all that you film. Best of luck Jack in the future and keep driving!
The best video from you Ashley. Absolutely brilliant, well done both of you. What a fantastic watch.. Thank you so much
Great video, I also have a VW caddy with the same joystick setup the van is form motability and I can say having this van has changed my life and has made me so much more independent, very good video.
Wow. What an interesting video, cheers to Jack for sharing all this
Well done Jack. I don’t think I could perform as well as you did with Ash sat in the car. Brilliant video, giving us all an insight into driving with disabilities. Thanks Ash 👍
That was incredibly informative and incredibly interesting. Great job on the driving Jack too, that all looked very smooth. That sequential beeping thing you need to count would drive me mad though. I'd be looking for some other sort of input there using a dial or something, dunno. Feels very weird commenting on a bespoke disability system as a non-user and able-bodied driver, of course.
Great video Ashley, thanks for doing this. Definitely a few takeaways on this one about being conscious of others abilities/requirements and I'll be on the lookout for joysticks at the pumps to offer filling up.
This videos is absolutely inspiring.
Good on him for conquering driving and not letting his disability get in the way.
As a robotics engineer the way this has been developed is fascinating to me, great video!
I did 48 hours in an and e wheelchair from a foot injury and after I could walk agaib I was so pleased to be able to do things on my own. Hats off to this guy whose done like 15 years in a wheelchair and I struggled 48 hours.
I've been out and about all day but rest assured I will most certainly watch this soon and comment. Massive kudos to your viewer for putting themselves forward for an Ashley video for all of us to see.
What a brilliant video and what a great lad
WoW Ashley.
That was really interesting and very educational for me.
The ramp part, although I have never parked close to anything that has a sticker with the 3mtr space, I don't know anybody that is disabled and so I would be thinking that they would probably just get out with crutches or something and open the back up to get the wheelchair out, but now I have seen this, now I know why and I have been educated.
Also, I have to admit with the 'thanking people' part, I have done it loads of times where I let somebody out or something with no thank you, and I've said in my head, "don't Mention it, oh you didn't" so that will change now.
Really good video Ashley and Jack of course.
this is incredibly fascinating. never knew vehicles like this were being made/customised. absolutely amazing.
What a great video. It is so important for people with disabilities to have as much independence as possible. I comment as someone with restricted mobility although not as severe as Jack. I would be lost without my car, which I can drive without adaptation.
On the point of pavement parking, the Scottish Government has just brought in a law to allow councils to fine drivers £100 for this. Edinburgh Council will be the first to do so in January.
I don't even drive and find this fascinating, What a great guy Jack is too! very down to earth and not letting anything stop him, good on him!
Probably my favourite video of yours yet. A huge teaching moment for me as well. I knew some vehicle adaptations existed, but not ones this extensive!
Jack's driving is very smooth and you would not get the impression that the controls were sensitive if he didn't tell you!
It also makes me ask - if Jack can drive this smoothly and carefully, why can't other, able bodied drivers with no adaptations?
A day late but have finally watched the video and what a cracking watch it was. I hope this gets into everyones YT feed to watch as it shows how driving can be opened up to everyone while at the same time showing how different driving styles are quite often normal. Going square on the give way for a junction going left…they aren’t leaving room for you to pass on the left.
Some of those modifications are absolute genius, using motorised mechanical linkages to perform a gear selection. I wonder if a fully electronic gearbox isn’t an option or too problematic on the Transit? The only difference I would like to see is with the steering control to have an option that makes it less sensitive above a certain speed…or even it is was a manual switch…so that bumps and multilane roads aren’t as twitchy on the steering input. However, as Jack said, it is something you get used to and I am sure we can all relate to that with at least one vehicle we have owned…the one with its own little thing that only you as the driver can anticipate and appreciate.
Good driving Jack, love your attitude on the road and keep doing what you do 👍
What an inspirational video. Jack drives so smoothly and confidently, a pleasure to see how well he manages a very different set of controls. How things have changed. Over forty years ago, when I started in the trade, we would fit hand controls to otherwise standard automatic cars. The control levers clamped round the steering column and operated the normal pedals by special rods. You could still drive with the normal controls as well. Ford Escorts were a popular model for conversion.
Thats so cool. I once worked for jct 600 and got told a transporter t5 was disability enabled and got asked weather or not id be able to operate it. Being the big i am. I said yeh be fine. Ill be honest i could not start the bus up. It had small stering wheel and pedals that were hand operated. I was back in the office 10 mins later red faced and embarrassed not being able to start it and had to ask for help!. Big up jack. Hes a driver thats cool van to be driving
What a guy Jack is for volunteering. Excellent video, interesting to see how it is driving with a disability and how they can adapt vehicles to suit people's needs.
I was in Cardiff earlier this year and saw a Ford Tourneo just like this parked up on one of the side streets.
I was curious at the time as to how you would operate such a vehicle, and I've got to say from watching this video it's very impressive how much a vehicle can now be adapted to accommodate various disabilities.
Kudos to Jack in the video, his driving was so controlled and smooth, something all types of drivers can learn from.
Amazing video! Praise to both of you.
What a tremendous vlog.
Great insight into how Jack drives this adapted vehicle.
The more we know as drivers from all aspects will help us more.
Brilliant well done Ashley.
there is so much criticism for technology in the modern age but this video shows just what a pleasure it is to live in a technologically advanced world!
That was fascinating, what an incredible vehicle and interesting chap. His driving seemed incredibly smooth and fluid, which looking at the controls must take some doing.
Awesome smooth drive Jack. And such a great insight into what amazing adaptions can be made to a vehicle to make is accessible!
Brilliant video. I had the chance to drive an adapted car many years ago. It's amazing what can be done to help people live there life to the full.
Top Video Ashley, by far my best watch this year. Jack thank you for sharing this with Ashley form a fellow ADI
Very interesting, it never ceases to amaze me how people can adapt, and remembering those little blue three wheelers of years ago, how the technology has improved.
Enjoyed watching that! I’ve always been curious about how many people with physical disabilities cope with driving. He made a complicated system look so easy!
Great video ashley👏 and kudos to jack for taking us along for the ride!
Driving with a disability was definitely something I hadn't really thought about as an able bodied driver, but jack's insight will give me confidence in not hindering motability vehicles. Especially the parts about how his driving manner may appear slightly different at first but is only a reflection of what is safest for him. 😀
Keep up the good work!
taking both hands off the wheel had me rollin! OMG! I swear laughter is the best medicine for life
very interesting, and very professional manner by Ashley
Interesting episode and great to see the adapted vehicle working so well for Jack.
34:00 regarding people parking too close to the rear of the vehicle, I would be tempted to get a 3 metre length of hazard bunting, tie one end to a traffic cone and the other to an eyebolt magnet. Stick the magnet to the car boot and put the cone out to mark the access gap.
Would probably hard for him to put out a cone every time though. Maybe a visual or auditory warning when the vehicle is parked and someone/something comes to close from behind to grab attention.
@@dustdriverdd I don't think it would be needed every time. Just the odd occasion roadside parking is the only option. A visual warning might also work, could use parking proximity sensors to detect a close vehicle and flash a warning.
Absolutely fabulous adaptation and drive. So good to see.
I'm going to look at options to help me. I struggle to use my left arm so something like a steering wheel knob so I can steer 1 handed safely and controls I can reach easier with my left. It really is amazing what they can do now.
That joystick is another option but I want to keep it so my family can drive it too.
Good video. Thanks for the enlightenment. Amazing.
Such a good vid. Fantastic how the technology works, to give a top bloke like Jack that independence.
Genuinely inpressed. Great video, Ashely. Thanks for sharing and thanks to Jack for the demonstration. Inspiration.
"Taking your hands off the wheel" got me in stitches🤣
Great awareness into something I had never even considered. Excellent work jack 👍
Possibly the most interesting video I've ever watched!