TRANSPORTATION AND DRIVING

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION

Public transportation isn’t offered in all communities. If public transit is offered, they are required to provide accessible transportation. That means accessible bus stops, ramps and lifts and tie-downs to secure wheelchairs on buses, and trained personnel. You may qualify for curbside pick up services in some areas. Call your local public transit provider to inquire about this service for people with disabilities.

Just because accessible transportation is required to be in place doesn't mean it always is. Many communities cite a lack of funding. Most transit systems have an ADA Coordinator or Civil Rights Office. Look on the agency’s website to file a complaint. If it is not resolved you can file a federal complaint .

Your level of injury will determine what type of modifications you will need in order to drive or be transported in a vehicle. You will likely need a vehicle equipped with a lift or ramp.

 

Access to an accessible vehicle is a big deal. The limitations of public transportation can limit our opportunities in life as quadriplegics. And of course power chair users can’t just be placed in a friend's vehicle. You may want to make obtaining an accessible vehicle a top priority. 

Rideshares like Uber and Lyft sometimes offer accessible alternatives for getting around town, known as WAVs (wheelchair accessible vehicles) but these services are limited in many areas, wait times can be outrageous, and when they don't have a vehicle available they outsource to expensive taxi services.

MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION

To attend doctor appointments, check with your health insurance provider. Medicaid typically provides transportation, but you must give them 3 days notice. 
APPLYING FOR MEDICAID

Paying for an accessible vehicle

  • If you can transfer from your wheelchair into a driver's seat, you just need hand controls. Consult with an occupational or driving rehabilitation specialist for precise needs. 
  • Consider modifying your own vehicle. Costs are highly variable; get detailed quotes. Consider this list of vehicles which can be modified and compare performance, reliability and cost. A Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist can help you to explore other cars and trucks that may be possible for accessibility features. 
  • Speak to the Department of Rehabilitation Services in your state. They don't pay for the vehicle but they may pay for the modifications through Vocational Rehabilitation Services if you are considering going back to work or school.
  • Some car dealerships may offer free modifications if you buy brand new.
  • Many quadriplegics hold fundraisers or crowd-funding. Check out Help Hope Live, a nonprofit that specializes in crowdfunding for disability needs without ever impacting benefits.
  • Alternative Finance Programs (AFPs) provide referrals for grants, connecting people with local resources that can help them afford accessible vehicles, offering loans with very low or no interest. There is no income requirement but ability to repay a loan and outstanding credit is taken into consideration. Contact your state's Assistive Technology Act Program.
  • Reach out to your closest United Spinal Association to ask if funding is available to help pay for an accessible vehicle 
  • If you are on SSI, and going back to work through the Plan for Achieving Self-Support (PASS) they may pay for a vehicle or modification. 
  • Research national wheelchair van grants for accessible vehicles. Check out braunability.com, themobilityresource.com and adamobility.com.
  • An accessible vehicle can also be considered an Impairment Related Work Expense when receipts are submitted to the social security administration for payments made for modification of a vehicle that is needed for employment. 

Driving

Many individuals with C6, C7 and C8 spinal cord injuries can drive using specialized vehicle adaptations for gas, brake, and steering. Even some C5 quads have enough arm movement to drive. 

Learning to drive as a quadriplegic requires practice, and an evaluation by a driver rehabilitation specialist. You can find one at ADED.net.

Most quadriplegics say learning to drive wasn't as hard as they had thought.
You can stay in your own wheelchair and lock it into place. You can get an automated lockdown system. Contact a certified mobility dealer (like MobilityWorks, AMS Vans, or BraunAbility) who will install a system like EZ Lock or Q'Straint in your vehicle, using a bracket on your chair and a docking base on the floor for push-button securement and release.


For quadriplegics without any finger dexterity, tri-pin electric hand control system lets you control both the gas and brake using just the wrist and arm. Turn on blinkers and lights using a touch pad on the door or on a stand that is affixed to the floor. This fancy setup can cost more than $30,000 though.

Some adaptations allow for controlling gas/brake and sometimes steering with a joystick, often with wheelchair integration. These can be expensive and require professional installation. 

Some lower level complete quadriplegics can use push-pull hand controls, provided you have enough functional arm and hand strength. A steering ball can be used or a tri-pin can be placed on the steering wheel. You just slide your hand inside.
       

Mechanical push/pull controls are cheaper than electronic systems. Portable systems are much less expensive than custom-fitted devices. Multiple handle versions are available including options with indicators and secondary controls. You can find basic mechanical push-pull control kits online for as little as $100. 

“I learned how to get in and drive a car about 4 years after my crash, so things like air shows, trade shows, concerts- anything with concrete for my wheelchair I’ll do. I've always been a hands-on guy, very mechanical. With help of friends I've built a Jeep that allows me to go places wheelchairs can't go, so my Jeep is my biggest asset. When driving, which I’m sure you've heard from others, is the only time you feel "normal". I'm just an asshole in traffic, you can't see my chair...I'm just like you.” Van, C4-5
Create your website for free! This website was made with Webnode. Create your own for free today! Get started