Before we get started, we’d be remiss not to advise you to seek professional support if you’re planning to modify your car in a way that could affect its mechanics, such as the brakes, steering wheel, seats, seatbelts, or airbags. A good rule of thumb is that if you’re ever in doubt, seek out professional help — especially when some of these modifications require specialized car mechanics who work with adaptive equipment.
We recommend checking out organizations like MobilityWorks, which specializes in updating and retrofitting cars for individuals with disabilities. Dr.Biggs also recommends reaching out to your child’s doctor, physical therapist, occupational therapist, and a certified driving rehabilitation specialist (CDRS) to help inform your car accommodations.
It’s also important to note that depending on the modification(s) — and your car’s make, model, and age — it can take weeks, if not months, to get your car back. In Loveday-Brown’s case, her vehicle was shipped from California to Indianapolis and was gone for three months. Thankfully, she had access to a second vehicle, but her experience serves as a reminder to make sure you’re fully prepared if/when you get your car updated (we’ll get more into this later).
Car transfer supports come in all different shapes and sizes, but are designed to make transferring your child in and out of the car safer for you and your child. As Loveday-Brown shares, the need for additional support in transferring her child in and out of the vehicle became clearer for her as her kids grew older.
“With non-disabled kids, there are certain things that get a little bit easier as they get older, like being able to hop out of the car and wait while you grab the groceries. But when you have a disabled child with mobility challenges, you're in charge of every move they make.”
This responsibility is exactly where adaptive tools and car modifications can make a world of difference, which is why we’re starting with car transfer support to help make getting your child with a disability out of the car just a little easier. And, while we know not all children with disabilities can use this type of support, for many families, these tools can help transferring your child more manageable.
Transfer boards and straps are designed to help transfer your child into a proper seated position. These can be used anywhere, but are particularly helpful in the car.
Door handle latches/attachments can be portable or permanently installed to provide support in moving in and out of the car.
Vehicle safety steps help minimize the distance between the vehicle and the ground, which can be difficult for individuals with mobility challenges.
For children who use wheelchairs or have mobility challenges, we’ve compiled a list of car accommodations to make transfers safer and easier. Typically, for modifications of this size, a van or a wheelchair accessible vehicle is recommended.
A wheelchair lift is a hydraulic platform that raises and lowers a wheelchair in and out of a vehicle. With the push of a button, the wheelchair lift smoothly lowers to the ground, providing a platform for the wheelchair user to roll onto and clip the wheelchair in place, making it much easier and safer to load and unload without having to lift the wheelchair manually. This type of lift, however, does not allow the individual to remain seated.
Wheelchair ramps can be permanently installed to extend when needed automatically, or you can use portable ramps that can be set up manually to enter and exit the car.
Your car can be modified to have lowered floors to create more headroom for individuals and less of an incline when setting up a ramp. On the other hand, you can also get raised roofs to provide additional headroom and space for medical equipment.
Automatic doors are power-operated and can be opened and closed with a remote or a button, allowing hands-free access.
Rear-entry systems (aka trunk entry systems) allow wheelchair or mobility aid users to enter the vehicle from the back for easier loading and unloading. There are also side-entry systems that can lift wheelchair users into the car using a lift or ramp.
Swivel car seats allow the car seat to swivel out of the car, keeping it level so the wheelchair user can easily transfer from their wheelchair to the car seat.
Car seats are essential in keeping our children safe in cars! While some children with disabilities can use standard car safety seats, others who need additional supports may need a specialized car seat. There are many different types of car seats on the market, so when you’re looking, make sure they're crash-tested and safety-certified.
Car beds are for babies born prematurely or newborns with medical conditions, such as respiratory or heart issues, where the upright angle of standard car seats can aggravate their condition.
Hip cast car seats can be used for children with hip or spica casts that require a car seat with a wider base to accommodate their legs.
Soft touch car seats can be used for children with sensory needs that can’t be met with standard car seats. This type of car seat can also be used for older children and adults with disabilities.
Car seats with restraints are available for children who need support keeping their limbs and body safely secured in the car.
Car Seats with Head Support are available for children who need more neck and head support.
Booster seats for older children with disabilities can look different for everyone https://www.medicaleshop.com/churchill-backless-booster-car-seat
Postural/positioning supports can be used on any seat to help alleviate tender areas that might be irritated by sitting. There are postural supports made for cars that can be strapped to the car seat itself.
Pressure-point seat cushions, like postural covers, can be used anywhere but are made with a specific type of honeycomb material that helps distribute your child’s body weight more evenly to alleviate pressure points.
Be sure to reach out to your child’s doctor(s) to make sure you’re getting the right car seat for your child. And if you’re a little nervous about the installation of the car seat, search your area for a local car seat safety technician. They are trained to help you ensure your car seat is set up correctly and to teach you how to set it up yourself.
While standard seat belts work for some kids, children with disabilities or behavioral challenges may need seat belt modifications to keep them safe and give parents added peace of mind while driving.
Car seat vests can be fantastic for children with sensory issues or who require additional safety belts to keep them safe and secure. These vests typically use a three- to five-point harness, meaning instead of the traditional seatbelt that goes across the chest and lap, these straps go over their shoulders, around their hips, and between their legs to keep your child comfortable and securely positioned.
Seat belt cushions can help soften the feel of the standard seat belts, which can sometimes dig into the skin. They also have some fun stuffed animal seat belt cushions, too!
Seat belt guards are designed to prevent your child from unbuckling their seatbelt and posing a safety risk. It works by fitting over the buckle and requires a small tool/key to unlock the buckle.
Anti-slip seat belt buckles go across your child’s chest to help keep your little Houdini from undoing their seat belt.
Seat belt extenders lengthen the reach of a standard seat belt, making them especially helpful for kids who need adaptive car seats or require additional positioning supports. Be sure that you purchase a seat belt extender that is approved under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, or ask your car’s manufacturer for seat belt extenders that are appropriate for your car.
Specialized wheelchair seat belts are designed for use in accessible cars and vans, where wheelchair users can secure their wheelchairs to the floor using
Wheelchair tie-down and occupant restraint systems are specialized wheelchair seat belts that can be attached to the wheelchair itself to ensure the user is safely strapped in.
Sensory overload can be a real challenge when traveling with kids, especially those who have sensory processing disorder, autism, or other disabilities. To help manage this, sensory tools can make a world of difference in making sure your child is comfortable during their car ride.
Noise-canceling headphones can work wonders in blocking out any sounds that might overstimulate your kiddos' senses.
Window shades can be attached with suction cups or installed in your car to help keep the vehicle cooler and more comfortable, whilst also keeping the sun out of your eyes. Alternatively, you could also get your car windows tinted, though that can get a little pricey depending on your car's make and model and type of tint. If you’re interested in getting a cost estimate, check out OC Tint Solutions' Car Window Tint Cost Calculator here.
Fans, like handheld fans or those that can be attached or clipped to your child’s car seat, can help keep their temperature regulated, especially when built-in car fans can be a bit weak at providing consistent and personalized temperature control.
There are electric cooling and heated seat covers powered by your car's battery to help regulate your child’s seat temperature. Or you can buy cooling covers made from a material that provides a cooling effect. For our kiddos in car seats, here’s a cooling cover specifically for a child’s car seat. Unfortunately, they have yet to find a material that generates heat naturally.
If you’re looking for more sensory support tips and how to survive a long road trip, we highly recommend checking out Travel and Road Trip Tips for Kids with Disabilities!
While your child might not have a disability that prevents them from driving — or may simply not be old enough to drive yet — it’s never too early to start planning (or thinking) about what adaptive driving supports they might need in the future. A few common accommodations are:
Hand hi-tech electronic hand controls adapt traditional driving functions such as brakes, steering, and gear shifting by making them accessible through mechanical or electronic systems. For example, shifting gears can be done at the push of a button, while a joystick may control acceleration, braking, and steering. A wide variety of electronic hand controls are available to accommodate different disabilities.
Spinner knobs and grips for steering help those who need more mobility support move the steering wheel by attaching a knob (or other gripping system) to the wheel.
The Universal Touchpad Console is designed to simplify access to secondary car features, such as windshield wipers, headlights, ignition, and more, allowing drivers to control them with ease. Voice Interactive Controls (VCI) versions are also available, enabling drivers to operate these secondary car features using spoken commands for greater accessibility.
Pedal extenders attach to your car's pedals and “extend” to bring them closer to the driver's seat, providing a safer driving position for individuals who can’t reach the pedals comfortably or at all.
Left foot accelerator is made for drivers who struggle or are unable to comfortably press down on the gas pedal with their right foot. In this case, the acceleration is transferred from the right pedal to the left pedal.
Again, make sure you are seeking professional guidance and installation when making any of these car accessibility modifications.
Mobility vans are cars that are ready-made with modifications like lowered floors, wheelchair ramps or lifts, and automatic doors. These types of vehicles are either converted or manufactured new. Major car manufacturers, such as Honda, Chrysler, Toyota, and Chevrolet, offer these ready-made mobility vans.
For some families, opting for a mobility van can help avoid the long wait times that often come with custom vehicle modifications. On the flip side, these vans usually carry a pretty high upfront cost (most starting at $85,000) and are rarely covered by insurance and other funding programs.
Most major car companies also have mobility assistance programs that provide rebates or financial support when you purchase an accessible vehicle. However, it often just barely scratches the surface of the major cost, with most only giving out $1,000. You can also always purchase a used mobility van if you’re seeking vehicle accessibility without the higher cost of a new vehicle. Websites like MobilityWorks list both new and pre-owned mobility vans for sale, offering a range of choices to fit various budgets.
We know that many of these car modifications often come with a pretty steep price tag! That’s why we’ve compiled a few resources that could potentially help alleviate the financial burden that often comes with these updates. Be sure to check out How Do We Pay For It All? Undivided’s Guide to Funding Resources if you’re not sure where to start.
We recommend you start by contacting your private or public insurance provider to determine which adaptive equipment and vehicle modifications are covered under your policy. For adaptive equipment, check to see if your insurance provider covers Durable Medical Equipment. If they do, ask if they cover the specific adaptive equipment you are looking to add to your car. It’s important to note, that while they may cover adaptive equipment like portable ramps, they typically do not cover car modifications.
To help speed up the process when you’re requesting coverage information, have the ID number of the piece of equipment. For instance, portable ramps are often billed under code E1399. Providing them with this specific number can help them find whether or not they cover that piece of equipment faster.
And don’t forget to think ahead! While future car accommodations might be further down the line for you, the sooner you start, the sooner you can work to get coverage. It’s better to be too early than too late and having to pay out of pocket because you’re in a bind.
Medicaid programs like California's Medi-Cal can cover certain adaptive equipment if it is deemed medically necessary. Hand controls required for safe vehicle operation may qualify for coverage and are generally categorized under Medicaid’s Durable Medical Equipment (DME) benefits.
For those seeking coverage for vehicle modifications, start by consulting your healthcare provider. Your doctor must thoroughly document the medical necessity for each modification and write a detailed prescription specifying the adaptive equipment required. This documentation is essential for Medicare to review and potentially approve coverage for your needs.
It’s important to note that Medicare generally does not cover the cost of the vehicle itself or full vehicle conversions. Only modifications that meet Medicare's strict medical-necessity guidelines will be considered for coverage, and approval is often determined on a case-by-case basis.
For California families, if your insurance denies funding for vehicle modification, you can bring that denial to the Regional Center if your child is a client. Whether your Regional Center will fund it and to what extent depends on their purchase of service standards, so check your Regional Center's website or ask your service coordinator what may be covered.
Much like the Regional Center, the Self-Determination Program can cover certain vehicle modifications if your insurance denies coverage. According to DDS, the Self-Determination Program can include adaptations or alterations to an automobile or van that is the participant’s primary means of transportation to accommodate the participant's disability needs (for example, lifts, ramps, hand brakes). You will need to work directly with your SDP coordinator to show in your child’s Individualized Program Plan (IPP) the need for this accommodation.
The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) in California is a state agency that provides vocational services for individuals with disabilities. The Mobility Evaluation Program (MEP) is part of the DOR clients get adaptive driving equipment, vehicles, vehicle modifications, and the training they need to be safe and independent drivers.
This program has very strict guidelines, so be sure to check your child’s eligibility requirements.
We’ve compiled a few grant options that can help fund your vehicle accommodations if other funding sources are unavailable. Additionally, be sure to consult your child’s care team for further recommendations on grant programs! For grants specific to your state, check out BraunAbility’s wheelchair grant locator.
The National Organization for Vehicle Accessibility (NOVA), previously known as the Ralph Braun Foundation, provides grants to selected individuals for up to 25 percent of the cost of mobility transportation equipment, with a maximum award of $5,000.
UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) provides medical grants for up to $5,000. They typically cover medical equipment such as adaptive car seats, transfer boards, and more.
First Hand Foundation gives out medical grants to help cover Wheelchairs, assistive technology, prostheses, care devices, hearing aids, vehicle modifications (ramps, lifts, transfer boards), etc.
We know your mind is probably swirling, but if you’re here, that means you’re taking the right step in giving your child better access to the world around them. If you’re looking for more ways to support your child at home, be sure to read our article on Home Modifications, where we cover everything from outside lights to specialized beds and how to pay for them all.
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