How to Adapt a Car for a Disabled Driver or Passenger

Transform your car to meet your accessibility needs!  Learn how to adapt a car for a disabled driver or passenger with our expert solutions from hand controls to wheelchair access.  Read on for exclusive tips that prioritize comfort & independence.

 

Why Car Adaptations Matter for Disabled Drivers & Passengers

 

Access to a car for reliable and accessible travel is vital for disabled people to maintain independence out of the home. It’s more than just going from point A to point B; accessible motoring means having the freedom to live life on your own terms. 

Despite some advancements by vehicle manufacturers to improve accessibility of their standard vehicles, car adaptations still play a hugely critical role to enable full access for disabled people. This is especially evident as according to Transport for All’s Are We There Yet? 2022/23 report, 43% of people said they could not or did not drive, and are often unable to find someone who could. Around half of respondents said that they exclusively or primarily used the car as a passenger, with only 36% saying they mainly drove themselves and 17% stated that they couldn’t find a vehicle for their needs OR have difficulty getting into and out of the vehicle.

 

Adaptations for Disabled Drivers

 

Driving adaptations for disabled drivers are specifically designed systems that can be fitted to a vehicle to help people overcome a host of driving challenges. Let’s explore some of the most popular driving aids available and how to adapt a car for a disabled driver:

 

Hand Controls

Hand Controls are a game-changing solution for those who struggle or are unable to operate the standard foot pedals in a car as they transfer the function of acceleration and brake from foot to hand. There are a range of different grip shapes, range of acceleration and secondary function options available to suit varying levels of dexterity and individual needs.

 

Steering Aids

A Steering Aid essentially enables the safe one-handed operation of the vehicle’s steering wheel. These can be used independently for driving with one arm (providing you are able to safely use the foot pedals), or are often used in conjunction with hand controls. Available as a static device such as a steering ball, or can be integrated with secondary control functions to operate indicators, horn, headlights and wipers from the same device.

 

Pedal Modifications

There are a range of pedal modifications to make operating the foot pedals easier and safer. From a Left Foot Accelerator which can be fitted to the left of the brake pedal for those who only struggle with their right leg, to Pedal Extensions which bring the pedals closer to the driver making them easier to reach.

 

Wheelchair Rooftop Box

For wheelchair drivers, a Rooftop Box is a great addition as it allows you to lift, stow and retrieve a manual wheelchair above your vehicle in a fully enclosed weatherproof box. It is operated once you are seated within the car via a handset and eliminates the often awkward process which involves manually taking apart your wheelchair and lifting it over you into the passenger side of the vehicle.

 

Adaptations for Disabled Passengers

 

In addition to driving aids, there are vehicle access products that enable easier access into the driver or passenger seat of a standard car.

 

Swivel Seats

Swivel Seats replace the original manufacturer’s car seat with a purpose-built, fully customisable car seat that is fitted onto a rotating, swivel base. This then allows the seat to turn out of the vehicle, either manually or electronically, for easier access.? Further to this, the Carony System is a fully comprehensive wheelchair transfer solution which transfers the car seat onto a wheelchair base. This seat acts as your car seat and wheelchair seat in one, for a complete lifting-free transfer solution.

 

Person Hoists

A Person Hoist electronically lifts you via a fitted sling that is positioned around you while seated and operated by a handset. This completely removes the requirement for a caregiver to physically lift the user as part of the transfer in or out of the vehicle.?

 

Transfer Plates

Another solution is a Transfer Plate which provides a stable temporary platform on the outer edge of the seat on which to pause and pivot from either standing or a wheelchair. These are available as a static solution or an electronic solution which can move up and down to the desired height.  

 

Choosing the Right Adaptations for Your Needs

 

When searching for vehicle adaptations, it’s important to consider your own capabilities and level of mobility, the vehicle you have or want, and how it is you want to get out and about. We recommend speaking with a professional vehicle adaptation company to advise on the right combination of adaptations that best suit your needs.

 

Of course, budget is another key consideration when looking into adapting your car. There is a range of financial assistance available to help towards the cost of adaptations. 

 

The most notable being the Motability Scheme, a government-funded charity which allows you to exchange your qualifying mobility allowance for a new car and vehicle adaptations. Alternatively, if you are registered as disabled, you are eligible for VAT exemption when purchasing your new car. Many people then use the money saved to buy their car adaptations. 

 

Exploring all your available options enables you to choose the most cost-effective and accessible solution for your situation.

 

How We Can Help You Adapt Your Car

 

At Mobility in Motion we make it easy to get you back on the road. Whether you want to speak with someone in person or prefer a virtual chat, our team of experts will offer a needs based assessment to understand your individual mobility requirements, the vehicle you have and your mobility device. 

 

We will then confirm user suitability and vehicle compatibility in order to select the right adaptations tailored to your specific needs and arrange for one of our UK-wide trained engineers to fit your adaptations! For added peace of mind, all of our products come with a 3 year warranty and we have a dedicated aftercare team to help you get the very most out of them.

 

Final Thoughts

 

While we encourage original vehicle manufacturers to adopt an inclusive design approach, we will continue to raise awareness for accessible adaptations. So you have the freedom and independence to go where you want to, when you want to and with the people who matter the most to you. 

 

Start your journey with our friendly mobility experts online or call us on 0800 288 4422. 

 

Or explore our guide to vehicle adaptations for disabled drivers which outlines even more solutions such as safety and visibility enhancements.