Vehicle Adaptations

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Some of the information below is excerpted from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website: https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/adapted-vehicles

Description: People with disabilities may need to buy, adapt or modify motor vehicles to accommodate their disability. There are three companies in Connecticut that specialize in adapting, modifying or selling these vehicles. They are Advanced Wheels (www.advancedwheels.com/), Mobility Works (formerly known as Ride-Away), https://www.mobilityworks.com/locations/wheelchair-vans-for-sale-in-east-hartford-connecticut/ in East Hartford, and Wheelchair Getaways (www.wheelchairgetawaysct.com/) in Bethel. Types of adaptations added to vehicles include hand controls; lowered floors or raised roofs; power doors, locks, steering or windows; and wheelchair lifts or ramps.

What to Consider When Buying or Modifying a Vehicle: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA): (https://www.nhtsa.gov/) recommends that consumers who are considering buying or modifying a vehicle take the following steps:

Connecticut Tech Act Project: The NHTSA estimates that purchasing a new vehicle modified with adaptive equipment can cost $20,000 to $80,000, so it may be necessary to look for financial assistance. The State of Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) through the Connecticut Tech Act Project (https://cttechact.com/) offers an Assistive Technology Loan Program which provides low-interest loans to people with disabilities to purchase equipment or to make home or vehicle modifications to maintain or improve functional capabilities. ADS can also help find a qualified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist to perform adapted vehicle evaluations.

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SOURCES: Agency listings in 2-1-1 database; “Adapting Motor Vehicles for People with Disabilities” – a brochure posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website; Advanced Wheels, Mobility Works (formerly known as Ride-Away); Wheelchair Getaways
PREPARED BY: 211/nl
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: November2024