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Handy for the handicapped.............Sonu Bohra Dadar
If operating the stick shift was confusing then using your hands to press the break pedals is definitely tougher. No, says Ferdinand Rodricks or 'Ferdi' as he is more popularly known, who works towards making driving less of a challenge for the disabled.
Rodricks who runs an authorised service centre for cars at Dadar has worked on cars to make them user-friendly for people with various disabilities ranging from paraplegia, quadriplegia to any sort of muscular disability. With his comprehensive knowledge of cars, Rodricks was able to help the handicapped to overcome their physical disability and drive four-wheelers independently. What started of as an experiment together with a friend in 1984 has continued to this day. Having started off with a Fiat, Rodricks has now improvised on almost all cars in the market - from a Mercedes, Camry and Corolla to a Maruti 800. "Even today, I place myself on the driver's seat to judge for myself whether it's comfortable and convenient to drive," he explains. Based on his judgment, Rodricks then decides how to place the controls accordingly. "I have re-worked on a car which was a manual transmission vehicle, with a hand-operated brake, clutch and accelerator. " It takes him barely four to five days to reshape the car although he is quick to point out, "I don't tamper with the frame but I just add appropriate controls. that do not affect the standard fittings of the car," he says. After working on over 1,000 cars, he has not limited his 'gift' to just cars. During Stephen Hawking's Mumbai visit, Rodricks had customised a Mahindra Voyage into a mobility van for him and has also designed a disabled-friendly lift for the RBI museum. "I am currently working on making swimming pool hoists which will be used for hydrotherapy lessons by the Paraplegic Foundation in Pune," Rodricks says excitedly. "It's easy to drive as it does not require formal training. Although the hand controls doesn't require much force, concentration and control over hand movements is essential, which come with practice. About 95 per cent of the new users have learnt in the first sitting practice," Rodricks adds. Although this is just a part-time passion for him, he can't help giving his passion all his free time. "Many times customers underplay their disability, that's why I prefer to establish a level of friendship and comfort. It's not a business for me, it is my way of giving back to the society," comments Rodricks. To drive this car the documentations and exempts required: * To apply for a driver’s license, one has to obtain a "Fitness Certificate" from a competent authority, (In Mumbai, it is at Haji Ali). After conducting physical tests a Fitness Certificate is issued indicating what type of controls are required for your vehicle * A document called the BT form is to be filled and submitted to the RTO for permission to legally fit the hand controls in your vehicle. * As a Physically Challenged you are exempt from RTO taxes, and have to pay only 50% of the Insurance Premium. |
