MTFCA Forum

Hi everyone!

I wanted to start a conversation about accessibility and different abilities involving the hobby of Model Ts. I would like to reference this conversation when considering accessibility within the Model T Museum, so it would be greatly appreciated!

Do you experience life with divergent physical or mental ability? Do you have a friend or family member who has limited visibility, limited mobility, autism, etc? How does this aspect of life impact how you/they interact with a vehicle, especially a Model T? How about within a museum? What social accessibility efforts would help increase your appreciation of the Model T, the MTFCA community or museums in general?

As always, feel free to reply to this thread or email me at micaela@mtfca.com. Thanks!

I was born with a congenital birth defect as well as club feet, with one ankle pinned in a permanent position. I've had reconstructive surgery over the years, and I drive a Model T without any assistance or problems.

I'm 54 and have owned my car for 25 years.

We have had over the years many people with disabilities. Some able to drive and others not. It is not hard to carry a wheel chair on the running board. Sometimes the person must sit in the back seat because of limitations in entering the front seat for the driver, but many do so and continue to attend tours and other outings.
Norm

There was a man in MN, Michael J Dowling, who lost parts of both legs and his left arm to frostbite. I believe there are stories about him driving a Model T. Contact the www.yellowstonetrail.org and they might have some info for you.

I have pituitary dwarfism and had the T's 3 pedals extended. We saved the originals and modified later smooth pedals and then glued the 'CRB' rubber pads to them. This allows me sit on the seat pillow free. Before I always had a 5" pillow at my back. In modern iron I sit on a 4" foam cushion.


My first car! Mom folded a big blanket up and stuffed it at my back.
She was so good to me!

And who would not be proud of such a great ride and a caring mother?! That's a great picture...made my day.

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 15, 2021 3:10 pm

And who would not be proud of such a great ride and a caring mother?! That's a great picture...made my day.

Mine too! Still got the pedal car?

Michael Peternell wrote: ↑

Fri Oct 15, 2021 9:51 pm

Still got the pedal car?

Unfortunately I no longer have the car. I probably wouldn't need the blanket at my back anymore!

Not specifically Model T, but driving with a disability just the same.

My late uncle, George Berrington, Jr. (b. 1922) was born with club feet. When WWII broke out, he wanted badly to serve but was rejected as 4F. One day he read an article in the newspaper saying that the Army needed experienced truck drivers and that some disabilities would be waived providing they could pass a skill test.

Uncle Geordie was one of four sons, raised on a citrus ranch. He was the designated driver for any and all of the farming equipment. Driving a brand new tractor truck was a walk in the park for him.

He was immensely proud of having done his part.

Here is a conversion for someone who had lost his legs back in 1922. It's from a Popular Mechanics magazine.

Ford's with planetary transmissions may have been among simplest (and affordable) cars to drive for those with disabilities. Two examples below "in the day." The first example takes place in Warwick, RI, where, coincidently, our Model K was sold new:

This first, is probably a Model R (cost $750). With the high, low and neutral on a lever, this man without use of his legs would have needed a brake and reverse lever added to have use of all controls:

This 1910 article must apply to a Model T owner in Bakersfield:

Before COVID shut us down, I was working with 50-120 special needs adults a week. They seems to always enjoy seeing an old vehicle that I drove up there, as it was an experience. I could not give rides for liability reasons but it was not necessary. During COVID I was asked to do a special needs birthday drive-by at a park with firetrucks, police and others. That said and having seen the museum again just last month, I recommend reaching out to any special needs group in that Indiana area and offering a free Special Needs Day for people (including the supporting staff and case workers) to see the museum. We crossed the street just fine between the two buildings and there is the parking lot driveway as an alternative to the stairs. I did not notice any safety concerns within the buildings but I wasn't looking for them.

My father's '15 Roadster was modified with hand controls and a starter in the late 1980's. I've posted pictures of them before on this forum, and there was a write up in the HCCA Gazette. I've still got them. He had MS and needed 2 canes to walk. They extended the time he could drive the T by a number of years.

While mine was not from birth; In 1985 I was in a motorcycle accident. My left ankle now has limited mobility and that leg is about 1+ inches shorter. Has not stopped me from driving my T or for that matter any car with clutch. Using the low pedal on a long uphill does put a strain on it.

My observation has been that a person with physical challenges who really wants to do something, will usually find a way to do it. A very good friend of mine contracted Polio in the pre-Salk vaccine days of the mid-50s. He has used crutches braces on his legs all of his adult life. When he passed his driver's test he was restricted to an automatic transmission, hand brake, and hand headlight dimmer switch. He hated the restrictions and refused to put "Handicapped Person" license plates on his car, thus forfeiting the use of handicapped parking spaces. Over the next couple of years he worked intensely at getting the restrictions removed from his license. He now has a non-restricted license, and can and does drive anything that he wants to. He does not consider himself to be handicapped, and has changed engines and even automatic transmissions on pre-emission cars solo. His day job was as a mechanical engineer. He is now retired.