Car Allows Disabled Lecturer To Continue

Frank Adams, 50 from Holmfirth near Huddersfield who lives with severely restricted mobility, has continued to campaign and educate academic and non-academics locally about disability, thanks to a drive-from-wheelchair car.

The majority of Frank’s career has been focused on improving accessibility for people living with disabilities in the local area. He was diagnosed with Polio at a young age however this condition and its serious after effects, have not held Frank back from successfully completing many achievements. These have included working for the local authority as its Specialist Mobility and Access Officer; establishing a new Disabled Living Centre, Shopmobility scheme; managing a Disabled Information Advice Line; through to his current voluntary campaigning and position at Huddersfield University.

Despite being unable to stand or walk and using a powered wheelchair to remain mobile, Frank is still able to drive to the University on his own, in his wheelchair, thanks to an innovative ‘i-Can’ converted car built by Sirus Automotive. Sirus is a leading car conversion company that re-engineers many types of vehicle, including the Volkswagen Caddy, so that a wheelchair user can drive it without the assistance of a carer or relative. The Caddy based ‘i-Can’ as owned by Frank, allows the driver to enter the vehicle via a rear ramp, position their manual or powered wheelchair in the driving position and then operate the car with hand controls.

Frank said: “I intend to continue my mission to achieve access for all.”