Major Fiat initiative for people with disabilities

5 November 2001: Fiat Auto Ireland has has displayed six specially adapted vehicles for people with disabilities, at the Access & Mobility Exhibition held at the weekend at the National Show Centre, Swords, Co Dublin. The models featured were two Puntos, two Scudo Combis, a Doblo and a Ducato.

And in a further move to bring car ownership to more affordable levels for people with disabilities, Fiat has announced a 6% discount off such vehicles for primary medical certificate holders. This is in addition to the refund of VAT and VRT that these people may be entitled to. The company is also setting up a programme to have specially trained personnel at all their dealers who will deal with the particular needs and requirements of people with disabilities.

All this is being done as part of the Fiat Autonomy Programme, a unique European wide initiative that underpins the company's commitment to people with disabilities as well as their carers and passengers.

It is estimated that there are as many as 400,000 people with some form of disability in Ireland, many thousands of whom need special assistance to retain mobility and an independent lifestyle.

The special equipment fitted to the Fiat vehicles on display included Jeff Gosling Hand Controls, the Autoadapt BEV Safety Swivel Seat, and the Autoadapt CARONY Combined Wheelchair/Passenger Seat System, all on Puntos. A Fiat Doblo featured the Automobility Lowered Floor Conversion, and Fiat Combis were used to show the Onboard Ramp, the Autoadapt Turny Swivel Seat Lift System, and the Braun Millennium Personal Lift. A Fiat Ducato had a Braun Vangater II Lift, full wheelchair tracking using nmi Safety Systems removable seat fixings.

All products exhibited in Fiat vehicles have been tested to ensure they meet European CE safety certification.

All adaptations and the lowered floor Doblo conversion were by Automobility Ltd, Cookstown Industrial Estate, Tallaght, Dublin 24. They can be contacted on 01 457 9027. JG/TW