Ways To Make Your Vehicle More Accessible
If you’re a non-disabled person, chances are you may not have thought about how modern day to day activities may not be accessible to folks with disabilities or health concerns. Today we’re going to shed some light on the subject, and show you how modern vehicles can be adapted for a wide variety of accessibility needs.
If you are a friend, spouse, or caregiver who is looking to provide adaptive driving aids and accessibility modifications to your vehicle, we’ve got a great list of pointers to get you started on that path. Likewise, if you're a disabled person looking for resources on accessible items and mobility aids for transportation and driving, we’ve got you covered as well. We have done our best to include product suggestions and accessibility companies to help you find what works best for you.
But first, a few pointers and reminders regarding disability, accessibility and traveling with disabled individuals:
Updated terminology guidelines from disability activists and organizations suggest “disabled individual/person” and “person with a disability” are the preferred language for references instead of “differently-abled” or “special needs” or “challenged” etc.
Persons of any age, race, ethnicity, or demographic can have a disability, and not all disabilities are visible. Babies, Children, Teens and Adults may have accessibility requirements. Be mindful.
If you are traveling with someone with disabilities, please ensure that you call ahead to your venues, destinations, or meeting places to inquire about accommodations and access for mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, canes, etc.) If a destination is not accessible, please let the person know in advance so that they may make arrangements, or you can coordinate together for other plans.
It is never okay to touch or lean on a person’s wheelchair or mobility aid. People who use mobility devices may require additional space or to board transportation first for easy navigation; please give them the same space and respect you would for non-disabled passengers.
Physical impairment or illness does not automatically mean someone necessarily has a mental impairment as well; treat people with disabilities with the same respect as you’d speak to non-disabled folks. Please speak directly to people instead of any companions who may be with them.
It can be helpful to listen to members of the disability and chronic illness community to learn from first-hand experiences and accessibility needs so we can be a more inclusive society.
Mobility and accessibility devices are more common than you think! Contact Lenses, Eyeglasses, hearing aids, and even speakerphone features are all commonly used mobility aids that assist common disabilities and chronic health issues. Wheelchairs, walkers, and other adaptive devices are just as commonplace.
Accessible Features to Look for When Purchasing a Vehicle
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Keyless Entry enables caregivers and disabled passengers easy access to opening the car doors instead of fumbling with keys.
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Electric Locks, windows, and child-safety door features are all great options; Electric windows ensure that people can easily control their environment as needed for temperature control. Electronic locks and child-safety door locks can prevent elderly dementia patients from unexpectedly opening a door on a moving vehicle.
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Easy-Access to Large Cargo Capacity is helpful for stowing accessibility equipment and mobility aids such as foldable wheelchairs, walkers, canes, and other vital medical necessities.
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Higher Seats allow those with disabilities and mobility aids easier entry and exit when getting into a vehicle instead of excessive bending or twisting of lower seating.
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Electric Seats allow for more room for passengers in the backseat when entering or exiting the vehicle, and the ability to recline front or back seats for users who need to lie back to swing their legs into the car easily.
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Heat/AC in the seats can be helpful for those with physical impairments or chronic illness by providing
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Bluetooth Connectivity and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are among the modern hands-free amenities that can be assistive devices for those with hearing impairments, mobility aids, and other needs, as well as providing additional communication methods for all disabled persons.
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Electronic park assist and cameras are helpful in navigating parking lots and street parking to ensure you leave enough room for mobility aids, ramps, and other equipment. In addition, it also helps drivers and caregivers ensure that they have secured the mobility aids and medical equipment of disabled persons, and prevent backing over any equipment you may have unloaded in the driveway, parking space, or curb prior to parking
How To Make a Vehicle More Accessible: Adaptive Driving Equipment
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Scooter and Wheelchair Lifts - Mobility aid companies can customize a lift for your van, SUV or other vehicle to accommodate disabled individuals who need to stay seated in their wheelchair or scooter, or to provide those who have transferred to a seat a safer way to load their equipment into a vehicle. These work best for large models such as Conversion Vans, but there are additional options available for other vehicles.
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Turning Automotive Seats - Mobility aid companies can retrofit your vehicle with a mechanized seat that rotates for the driver or front seat passenger to get in and out of their vehicle safely. This provides ambulatory wheelchair users an easier option for entering and exiting the vehicle, and provides those with other mobility aids a less stressful option than bending, twisting, or crouching to get into the front seats.
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Wheelchair and Scooter Carriers and Wheelchair Securement- These devices function similarly to bicycle carriers and other storage items, except they are designed to withstand the weight and shapes of mobility aids such as wheelchairs, power chairs, and scooters. They will ensure that a person’s equipment is safely stowed and secured on the vehicle’s exterior.
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Car Transfer Aids - Items like the Slide ‘n’ Ride are adjustable and compact assistive devices that allow passengers to transfer from walker or wheelchair to car seat more safely.
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Assist Bars - Items like the Able Life Auto Cane are portable support handles and standing mobility aids to assist drivers or passengers in exiting a vehicle safely with more stability.
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Assist Straps - The Stander CarCaddie Adjustable Support Strap is just one of many options out there for a non-slip grip to provide support and stability when exiting and entering a vehicle.
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Swivel Seats - These portable, removable cushions are a great way to provide accessibility for guest passengers who are coming along for special events or outings. The HealthSmart 360 Swivel Seat cushion can help reduce hip, knee, and back strain experienced by getting in and out of seats. Swiveling seats allow your passenger more mobility and independence to exit the vehicle comfortably.
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Ramps for Vehicles - If you are in need of a ramp for your vehicle, we highly recommend you consult with a mobility aid company and their advisors, but this can provide wheelchair users with more accessibility and less issues with needing to transfer from wheelchair to their seat. It is a good option for those who cannot afford a wheelchair or scooter lift, as it allows disabled individuals to temporarily access vehicles of friends or family without permanent or costly changes. You will need to consult your vehicle’s weight limits, make/model for size, and the equipment used by the disabled individual.
It is important to remember that there is no one-size-fits all option for accessibility, especially when it comes to personal vehicle travel and daily driver cars. You should select the equipment that best works for each individual need. We recommend you speak with a doctor, caregiver, or therapist to find the best options for your or your loved ones needs. If you are looking for additional information or resources, you may visit The Mobility Resource for more information on how to acquire Adaptive Driving Equipment or even find assistance to locate an accessible vehicle in your area.
