Toyota brings mobility support options to Australian market

Toyota has claimed it is the first carmaker to offer mobility assistance options in new vehicles in Australia.

It involves the fitment of five accessories created to assist the entry into and exit out of vehicles, as well as in the overall wellbeing and comfort of travelling in them.

Other manufacturers such as Kia, Volkswagen and Ford do work closely with independent specialists to install vehicle conversions for wheelchair access and hand controls.

However, Toyota’s offering is designed to provide support that is practical and relatively inexpensive for people who are living with disability.

The items provided by Toyota are branded as an Assist Handle, Assist Strap, Swivel Assist Cushion, Rear Assist Handle and Seatbelt Assist. Each retail for about $100 to $150.

The Assist Handle and Assist Strap provide leverage for added balance and control getting in and out of a vehicle both front and back, particularly in SUVs and utes, as well as when the seat occupant requires to shift or move across, such as reaching for a drink in a cupholder or changing the volume on the radio. The Swivel Assist Cushion also aids movement when sat on the seat; while providing greater lateral reach for items, it helps to provide a broader angle of vision, hearing and reach.

While comparatively small things, these items are designed to boost confidence, comfort and outside connections for people who require assistance when travelling in vehicles.

They also represent an easy first step for people who may not require the expense and complication of extensive body and interior modifications widely provided by aftermarket specialists.

The latter includes adapting vehicles for specialist driving controls involving steering, throttle, gear lever and pedal modifications, as well as for passengers needing secure wheelchair access and ramp storage. These regularly lead to changes to the floor, sheet metal, roof and body structure that can handle the extra weight and load forces.

Toyota states that more than 5.5 million people in Australia are living with disability. To that end, the products have been engineered to be easy to use and transport and are also compatible across most Toyota vehicles.

Toyota guarantees their effectiveness and safety, especially with the specific vehicle model in question, providing an added level of practicality, convenience, back-up and reassurance.

The five new accessories are hopefully just the beginning of a much larger shift by carmakers in Australia to cater for diversity in people as well as our ageing population, that often means offering solutions for moving people around as effortlessly and confidently as possible.

In Japan, many manufacturers including Toyota and Honda offer factory-built ready-made vehicles prioritising mobility solutions.

Known as Welcab, these have side and/or rear of vehicle wheelchair-loading access including motorised on/off ramps, as well as individual ‘captain’s chairs’ with tilt-and-turn and lift-and-separate outboard seat movements that are fully integrated into the interior. All come complete with all the necessary restraints and are factory-backed in their home market.

Many have been privately imported into Australia.

Additionally, some models are solely mobility-solution focused from the ground-up level, such as the Toyota Porte.

It is unclear when these additional Welcab accessories will be available locally.