Automotive

How to Get a Vehicle Modified For A Disabled Person

Living with a disability does not completely cripple people and their desire to live fully. Despite their particular needs, people with disabilities can do what an average person can, including driving.

Due to the fast-pacing technology, disabled individuals can finally drive vehicles as expertly as ordinary people. In the past few years, car companies allow modifications on their cars and even adds adaptive driving and assistive technology to their models.

With the help of the new disabled-friendly features, people with special needs can finally move the gear again and drive safely to any destination.

Regardless of the type of disability, providers can modify vehicles and add anything that suits their users’ needs. These aids would need to go through a proper evaluation by an expert, and here’s how it is possible.

How To Turn A Vehicle Into A Mobile For Disabled Person

The first thing to do to have a vehicle modified for a disabled person is to choose the ideal vehicle in the market. Many car manufacturers worldwide have partnered with organizations to allow disabled people to purchase a car straight from the factory.

They also build the vehicles with adaptive equipment depending on the person’s needs. At the same time, there are mobility programs that give discounts to people with special needs. 

Determining whether a car or truck has adaptive equipment is also a must. It plays a massive role before a vehicle modification company can start the vehicle’s alteration.

Once done choosing the right vehicle, the modification process starts. It involves adjustments on hand controls, seats, amputee rings, pedal extensions, assist bar, swivel cushion, and gears. A complete conversion may be required, like a side entry or rear-entry for people using wheelchairs.

For hand controls, the improvements include creating buttons to control the brakes and gas. Vehicle indicators, lights, and wipers can merge with these controls.

Steering modifications depend on the driver’s ability to enter and leave the vehicle. An altered seat can be rotated, lowered, or removed — again — depending on the disabled person’s needs. Built-in lifts and ramps help the driver in entering the vehicle, as well.

If a person with special needs only misses a leg, the accredited vehicle modifier will install a foot pedal for acceleration and braking systems.

Does a Disabled Person Need Proper Driving Lessons?

Although modified vehicles ensure safety and security to disabled drivers, proper driving lessons will make the biggest difference. 

Getting behind the wheel requires people to know which facets of the disability they need to work on. Some specialized driving schools can do the job. Like the usual schools, a student must pass both a written and practical exam to complete the test.

While this is important to know the dos and don’ts, taking lessons also helps patients to get used to their vehicle’s modifications. Repeated and accustomed practical studies lead to muscle memory while training the muscles to respond to traffic laws quickly.

Lastly, there are disabled driving laws they need to follow. Unfortunately, people’s disabilities will not excuse them from getting charges. With that said, efforts on both drivers and vehicles should do wholly and correctly.

NDIS can cover vehicle modifications as well as driving lessons specifically designed for disabled people. Under plan management NDIS, your assigned support worker can give you more info about this scheme and connect you with accredited service providers to make this driving dream come true.