Dan Harvey is not your typical motorist.
Western FIMS student Dan Harvey is thrilled to be behind the wheel of his one-of-akind joystick-operated van – a Canadian first.
Driving his newly acquired van through congested London streets, Harvey, a quadriplegic, is just happy to be in the driver’s seat. Operating the machine solely by a joystick device, his new wheels are currently the only one of its kind in Canada.
It’s been almost six years since Harvey’s accident.
A trampoline accident during a high school field trip led to the provincially recognized rugby player and accomplished musician’s confinement to a hospital bed in his hometown of Guelph, Ont. After an eight-month rehabilitation process, Harvey faced a very different world than he was accustomed to before the injury. With paralysis affecting all of his limbs, Harvey had to start over.
“I like to call it a re-birth,” says Harvey of his first time leaving the hospital.
In a few short years he has become an outspoken advocate for disability rights in the London community as well as a prominent voice for provincial issues of accessibility.
Finding difficulty with London’s accessible transportation options since his arrival at The University of Western Ontario four years ago, Harvey needed to pursue other alternatives for getting around.
“I had to investigate for about six months before ordering the actual van, from there the process took about a year until I was in the driver’s seat.”
Having spent the better part of a year in design and customization conferences with various automotive companies across the nation, the soon-to-be Faculty of Information and Media Studies graduate and current MIT Student Council president finds his new-found freedom somewhat surreal.
“It’s exciting to have that control back,” said Harvey with a noticeable sense of modesty. “I can’t really put words to it. I was a city passenger for years; it’s refreshing to have that freedom back. I don’t have to plan my day 24 hours in advance when I want to get out of the house anymore.”
After contacting Sparrow Hawk, a Canadian company specializing in vehicle modifications for disabled individuals, Harvey had to personally coordinate the acquiring and subsequent installation of a unique driving system designed by Electronic Mobility Controls, an American company based in Louisiana.
The process of fitting the vehicle considers safety and efficiency measures for a number of possible roadway events. Harvey tested more than five different vans before an evaluation of what was most practical could be applied. Mark Andrews, a prominent figure in the modifying process, installed a two-button touch screen system as well as the joystick capability which was customized in accordance to Harvey’s physical attributes and movement abilities.
The involved process considers safety above all for individuals behind the wheel or sitting in the passenger seats, not to mention other vehicles on the road.
As for this becoming a viable option for other disabled individuals, Harvey hopes to see a shift toward more transportation independence. However, the biggest hindrance is price — particularly for those who require further aids, depending on their circumstances.
Being a unique driving system, Harvey’s licensing procedure is met by a different board of Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialists. Making the appropriate changes to the van, evaluating control abilities, along with traditional driving exercises reminiscent of the Ontario Young Drivers Program have allowed Harvey to progress to the equivalent of a G2 licensed driver by provincial transportation standards.
The process differs significantly for drivers requiring a modified vehicle hand control system. Still, even professionals are impressed with the unique modifications to Harvey’s vehicle.
“They’re pretty excited about it. They haven’t seen anything like this before.”
The writer is a Western News intern and student in the Faculty of Information and Media Studies.