One of the best parts of my job is opening an email that simply says: Approved. Yesterday was one of those days.
For almost a year, I’ve been working with Maddie to find the right vehicle solution to help her regain her independence. Maddie has a neurological condition that causes progressive muscle weakness. She can walk around 12 metres using a forearm support walker, but relies on a powered wheelchair for getting out into the community.
One of the first things we established was that Maddie could continue driving. Her driving assessment was excellent. She was safe, made good decisions and demonstrated that her medical condition wasn’t affecting her ability behind the wheel.
Our focus quickly shifted to a different question: How does Maddie get from her wheelchair into the driver’s seat?
How does Maddie get from her wheelchair into the driver’s seat?: Starting with the right wheelchair
Maddie had already been prescribed a WHILL powered wheelchair by her treating occupational therapist.
It’s an impressive piece of technology. It can be driven using a joystick or controlled remotely from a smartphone, allowing the chair to come to you or park itself out of the way. It was clearly the wheelchair that best met Maddie’s functional needs after trialling a number of alternatives.
Like many powered wheelchairs, however, it comes with some practical considerations. Even when dismantled, the components weigh around 65 kilograms. Anyone who has worked with powered mobility can appreciate what that means. Pulling the chair apart beside the boot, lifting each component into the vehicle and then walking around to the driver’s door simply wasn’t going to be practical or sustainable for Maddie.
Looking at the whole picture
Vehicle modification assessments are never just about measurements. They’re about understanding how someone lives. Maddie’s partner doesn’t drive, so the vehicle needed to work independently for her. They’ve made the personal decision not to have children, so preserving rear passenger seating wasn’t a priority. She’s also a renter and has moved several times over recent years, making it important that the vehicle would comfortably fit into a standard garage with accessible entry into her home.
Each of those details influenced the final recommendation.
Trialling the options
Working alongside the team at Freedom Motors, we trialled a modified Kia Seltos with a rear-entry lowered floor conversion.
As soon as Maddie tried it, everything started to come together. She was able to drive her wheelchair up the rear ramp, secure it in place and complete an internal transfer onto a powered transfer seat. From there, the seat rotated and moved her into the driver’s position.
It looked effortless, but there was a lot of work behind the scenes to make sure it was the right solution. Her physiotherapist confirmed she could complete the transfer safely and, just as importantly, that it was likely to remain a sustainable strategy with her ongoing strength and exercise program.
Working through the funding process
Like many complex assistive technology applications, the funding team wanted us to explore whether there was a simpler option. One suggestion was an Abiloader. On paper, it sounds reasonable. In practice, it wasn’t suitable for Maddie’s wheelchair.
An Abiloader is designed for manual wheelchairs weighing up to around 25 kilograms. Maddie’s powered wheelchair is substantially larger and heavier. Even if the weight hadn’t been an issue, the chair was simply too large to circulate through a standard boot opening.
We provided further information explaining why this option wasn’t appropriate and also revisited the original wheelchair prescription with Maddie’s treating occupational therapist. Together, we documented why this wheelchair had been selected over other options that had already been trialled.
The email we’d been waiting for
Yesterday we received confirmation that the modified Kia Seltos, including the lowered floor conversion and internal transfer seat, had been approved. It’s a fantastic outcome. Now the race is on to secure a Kia Seltos before they’re phased out. If that isn’t possible, we’ll go back to the drawing board and explore alternative vehicles. They’ll bring a different set of considerations, particularly around overall vehicle size and garage access, but that’s simply part of this work.
Why I wanted to share Maddie’s story
People often see the finished vehicle. They see the lowered floor, the transfer seat or the ramp. What they don’t see are the conversations, trials, reports, measurements and collaboration that happen over many months to reach that point.
This recommendation wasn’t built around a vehicle. It was built around Maddie’s life, where she lives, who travels with her, how far she can walk, how she transfers, what equipment she uses. And how we can help her continue driving independently for as long as possible. When she finally drives away in her new vehicle, she won’t just have a modified car. She’ll have the freedom to get to work, see friends, go shopping and live life on her own terms.
That’s why we do this work.
Last week, one of our Driver Trained Occupational Therapists, Amanda, experienced what could only be described as the two extremes of driving and vehicle modification practice.
Her first learner driver stood around seven feet tall.
Her second learner driver, who has dwarfism, was around four feet tall.
Two clients. Two very different bodies. One shared goal: to drive safely and independently.
While these cases sat at opposite ends of the height spectrum, they highlighted exactly the same principle: there is no such thing as a standard driver. Every vehicle, every modification and every driving pathway must be tailored to the individual.
It’s also why we’re so passionate about sharing our knowledge through our Driving & Vehicle Modifications Conference. These are the kinds of real-world clinical challenges that simply aren’t covered in textbooks.
The seven-foot learner
Our first client is a young man with autism who is learning to drive with specialised supports. Like many neurodivergent learner drivers, he requires a Driver Trained Occupational Therapist and a specialised driving instructor to build his skills safely. But this case presented a challenge we’d never encountered before.
He simply didn’t fit into any of the specialised driving instructor vehicles. We tried.
When he turned 18, his mum purchased him a Toyota Camry, expecting it would become his learner vehicle. The problem was… he kept growing. By the time he was ready to commence lessons, even his own car no longer provided a safe driving position. His knees were cramped, his head was close to the roof lining, and his eye line sat so high that his ability to see traffic signals and the road environment ahead was compromised.
At Alternate Mobility, we explored whether relocating the driver’s seat in the Camry would create enough additional space. While technically possible, it quickly became clear that it wasn’t going to provide a long-term solution Instead, after trialling multiple vehicles, the best option proved to be a Kia Tasman. Its generous cabin space, improved head clearance and more upright windscreen dramatically improved his seating position and visibility. A small modification to relocate the driver’s seat further rearward will provide the final adjustment, allowing him to sit comfortably without his knees almost touching his ears
But choosing the right vehicle was only half the solution Because he is still learning to drive, he needs to undertake lessons with a specialised driving instructor using dual controls. With no suitable instructor vehicle available, our plan is to install dual controls into the family’s Kia Tasman so lessons can commence in his own vehicle. Once he has developed the skills and confidence to progress to supervised practice with his parents, the dual controls can simply be removed.
It’s a creative solution—but one that required occupational therapy, vehicle modification expertise and close collaboration between the family, driving instructor and vehicle modifier.
The four-foot learner
Just hours later, Amanda was working with another learner driver whose challenges were almost the complete opposite.
This young man has dwarfism and is learning to drive in a Kia Picanto. Rather than needing more space, every aspect of the vehicle needed to be brought closer to him. Extension pedals formed part of the solution, but they were only the beginning.
To achieve a safe driving position, we recommended modifications to raise the driver’s seat, provide customised back support and optimise his posture so he could comfortably see over the steering wheel and access all of the vehicle controls.
Independence doesn’t stop once the engine is turned off, either. Because he couldn’t reach to close the rear hatch independently, an electric tailgate will allow him to manage the vehicle without assistance. Looking ahead, he is also scheduled to undergo spinal surgery later this year. Anticipating the possibility of reduced neck movement, we are recommending panoramic and fisheye mirrors to maximise his field of view and future-proof the vehicle as his needs change.
Again, every recommendation was tailored to the individual—not simply the diagnosis.
The clinical reasoning behind every recommendation. People often assume vehicle modifications are simply about fitting hand controls or extension pedals. In reality, that is only a small part of the process.
As occupational therapists, we consider every aspect of the interaction between the driver and the vehicle, including:
- Safe transfers into and out of the vehicle.
- Seating posture, comfort and fatigue.
- Eye position and visibility through the windscreen.
- Access to primary and secondary controls.
- Blind spots created by mirrors and vehicle design.
- Functional tasks such as opening and closing the boot independently.
- How a person’s needs may change over time.
Sometimes moving a seat by only a few centimetres can completely change what a driver is able to see. Sometimes choosing the wrong vehicle means no amount of modification can create a safe outcome.
That’s why our advice is always the same:
Don’t buy the car first. Get the occupational therapy assessment first.
Why we’re sharing these stories
Cases like these are uncommon.
Most occupational therapists—and even many driver-trained OTs—may only encounter a handful of clients with such significant height differences throughout their careers.
At Driving Well Occupational Therapy, however, driving and vehicle modifications are all we do.
Over the past decade, our team has completed more than 3,000 driving assessments and supported almost 200 vehicle modification applications. That level of exposure means we’ve worked with an extraordinary variety of clients, conditions and challenges. Every complex case expands our knowledge and strengthens our clinical reasoning.
That’s exactly why we’re hosting the Driving & Vehicle Modifications Conference this September.
This conference isn’t about sitting through sales presentations or learning theory in isolation. It’s about sharing the practical knowledge that comes from years of specialised clinical practice. You’ll work through real case studies like these, inspect modified vehicles, hear directly from occupational therapists, engineers and vehicle modifiers, and build the confidence to make better clinical decisions for your own clients.
Whether your next client is four feet tall, seven feet tall—or somewhere in between—you’ll leave with practical strategies you can immediately apply in practice.
After more than 3,000 assessments, we’ve genuinely seen the long and the short of it.
Come and learn with us.
Driving & Vehicle Modifications Conference
📅 16–17 September 2026 | Brisbane
🎟️ Register here: National Vehicle Mods & Driving Solutions Conference
One of the things I love most about working in driving and vehicle modifications is that no two clients are the same.
Sometimes people assume that the hardest part is working out the driving controls. Often… it’s not.
I’m working with a lovely gentleman at the moment who has cerebral palsy and has been driving independently for more than 30 years using a left-sided mechanical push/pull hand control. Unfortunately, that product is no longer available.
So, we’ve completed his driving assessment and trialled the Fadiel Easy Drive hand controls Easy Drive – Total Ability Australia and New Zealand, and with a few lessons I’m confident this will be a great solution for him.
Driving controls are sorted – but that was the easy part.
The real challenge is everything else.
At the moment, Matt transfers into the driver’s seat, walks around to the rear of the vehicle, lifts his manual wheelchair into the boot, then makes his way back to the driver’s door holding onto the vehicle.
It’s becoming increasingly difficult, carries a significant falls risk, and simply isn’t going to be sustainable over the next 5–10 years.
Our hope was that an Abiloader Abiloader International | Abiliquip would be the answer – this kicked off a surprisingly complex assessment process.
We needed to confirm compatibility between Matt’s wheelchair and the loader, source a suitable vehicle to trial – Matt’s research pointed him towards a Skoda Superb (thank you to the dealership for lending us one), involve the vehicle modifier and equipment supplier onsite, and even trial changing the camber of his wheelchair to see whether we could gain enough clearance, making sure his wheelchair/seating OT was kept happy in the process. Preserving shoulder function for long term mobility was also crucial, and of course, I didn’t want him tipping the wheelchair over if we changed the camber.
Despite all that, it still looks like the wheelchair is simply too wide to swing around the back of this type of car in towards the boot, and also clear the boot opening. So, it’s back to the drawing board.
Next steps are likely to include exploring alternative vehicles with different boot dimensions, while keeping a very close eye on driver’s seat height and transfer ability. There’s no point finding a vehicle with the perfect boot if it’s too high for Matt to transfer safely.
This is a great case demonstrating my, Brad Williams and Chris Pearce – OT Services Group‘s presentation at OTX – that driver rehab is everyone’s role.
For Matt, we’ve needed OTDA, driving instructor, funder, support coordinator, wheelchair OT, local vehicle modifiers (yes, plural), international AT supplier, and car dealership.
This is the part of vehicle modification practice that I find both fascinating and incredibly rewarding – it’s about finding the solution that balances driving, transfers, wheelchair stowage, future needs, safety and long-term independence.
I’d be interested to hear from others working in this space.
Has anyone solved a similar challenge? Are there vehicles or approaches you’d be looking at next?
One of the reasons we’ve developed the Driving Well OT National Vehicle Modifications & Driving Solutions Conference is because these are exactly the kinds of real-world cases we’ll be working through together. Not textbook examples where everything fits neatly, but the complex clinical reasoning that sits behind good vehicle modification practice.
This case is still unfolding, and that’s the reality of vehicle modification practice. Sometimes the first idea works. Sometimes it doesn’t. The challenge—and the privilege—is working alongside the client and the team until you find the right solution.
If you’d like to develop your confidence in this space, I’d love you to join us at the Driving Well OT National Vehicle Modifications & Driving Solutions Conference.
Come and learn from almost 10 years of clinical practice, real cases, practical problem-solving, and collaboration with some of Australia’s leading vehicle modifiers and industry partners.
With Early Bird registrations closing on 17 July, now is the perfect time to secure your place. I hope to see you in Brisbane.
Daniel and his family are very excited about receiving their Hyundai Staria, lowered floor conversion from Freedom Motors.
Daniel was referred to Driving Well Occupational Therapy to obtain a wheelchair accessible vehicle in May 2023. Daniel had outgrown his specialised car seat where he needed to be physically lifted in and out of his wheelchair and also lifted in and out of his car seat. He needed a wheelchair accessible vehicle to transport him as a passenger in his wheelchair, due to his postural support needs. The vehicle modification was required now, and needed to be suitable in the future as well as he continues grow and develop.
Daniel lives with his parents and three brothers. Previously, they were unable to travel together as a family, as there was insufficient space in their car to transport the whole family of 6 and Daniel’s mobility aid. This restricted Daniel and his family’s ability to access the community together, and limited Daniel’s opportunities for social connection and community participation to home, school and therapy/medical appointments.
Daniel and his family successfully trialled and submitted a NDIS application for vehicle modifications (lowered floor conversion for wheelchair occupant) to their Hyundai Staria, which was subsequently approved by NDIS. This is a mutually beneficial investment long term, as this modified vehicle will be used frequently to facilitate Daniel’s access to his community and is a more cost effective and client-centred support than an additional transportation budget to access Maxi-Taxis where short/ frequent trips are required.
The ability for Daniel to be transported in his own wheelchair accessible vehicle supports his ongoing growth and development by enabling him to:
- Attend therapy and medical appointments to optimise his overall health and specific therapeutic needs
- Having access to both his wheelchair and walker in the community supporting his physical development, muscle strength and gross motor skills, while also managing his fatigue.
- Develop his communication skills through interacting with others in the community
- Supports his play, learning and social skills through meeting and interacting with other children and members of the community.
Simon, Daniel’s father recently hurt his back and is on light duties at present while he recovers. He is exceptionally grateful to have their modified vehicle now to reduce the manual handling demands required to enable Daniel to access the community.
The family recently had their first trip together to the Gold Coast for the day and look forward to travelling to a variety of destinations, including exploring wheelchair accessible parks and venues together as a family.
If you or someone you know wants to know more about wheelchair accessible vehicles or wheelchair occupant travel, contact us at Driving Well Occupational Therapy to find out more.
The journey to finally receiving his customized wheelchair accessible vehicle has taken a little over a year in the making for one of our lovely clients. I first met our client in June 2023. He was a young man living with his parents following an acquired brain injury. Our client experienced some functional decline and could no longer stand to transfer into their existing unmodified van and standard car seat. The transfer into the van was difficult and placed both he and his carers at risk of injury. In turn, this severely limited and restricted his community access and participation.
Fortunately, our client had a manual wheelchair, that was suitable for wheelchair occupant travel as it had been crash tested and had appropriate postural support including backrest and headrest.
We were able to successfully trial a lowered floor conversion Kia Carnival through KM Kite, an experienced vehicle modifier with a tried and tested engineering certification with this type of vehicle modification for wheelchair occupant travel. Our client was able to be positioned in the second row, behind the front seats with his carers or family being able to sit on either side beside him.
Following the successful trial of this vehicle modification, we were able to apply for ‘In principle approval’ of this vehicle modification through the extensive NDIS Assistive Technology Vehicle Modification process. A few months later we were given NDIS approval for this request, pending purchase of a suitable vehicle. The client’s previous van was traded in for a new Kia Carnival, and after a few months wait, the vehicle was able to be taken to the KM Kite Factory where over a period of six weeks was successfully modified with a lowered floor, ramp for wheelchair access that has electronic front retractors and a winch to reduce the manual handling demands on entry and exit of the vehicle. An additional 2 rear folding seats have also been installed to enable our client to travel with other family members as well.
While the journey was a year in the making, the client, his family and carers are exceptionally pleased their modified vehicle which has been completed to a high standard, that not only looks amazing, but is safe and complies with Australian Standards for wheelchair occupant travel. Our client and his family can now travel safely daily in the community to attend appointments, go shopping, church on a weekly basis and get back into swimming and visiting family as well. The options for places to visit are almost endless!
If you or someone you know wants to know more about wheelchair accessible vehicles or wheelchair occupant travel, contact us at Driving Well Occupational Therapy to find out more.
I have recently had the pleasure of working with several clients who have had a lower limb amputation who were wanting to return to driving. People often ask “what is the best vehicle modification for a person who wishes to return to driving with a lower limb amputation?”
For some people, a lower limb amputation may occur from a traumatic injury such as motor vehicle accident whereby they may also have other associated conditions such as a head injury or spinal cord injury. For other people, their lower limb amputation may occur because of poor circulation due diabetes or other cardiovascular condition.
Driving a motor vehicle is a complex task involved perception, appropriate judgement, adequate response time and appropriate physical capability (Austroads, 2022). As an occupational therapy driving assessor, there are many components to our assessment:
- The Person
Individual performance component skill level, the type of amputation (below or above knee), co-morbidities, their functional capacity in daily life as well as their mobility (prosthesis and/or wheelchair user). - The Environment
Where do they live, work, etc, as well as the social environment/context. Goals for driving and does the environment support this? - The Occupation (Driving)
Individual driving history, habits, where they would like to drive to, any specific vehicle modifications or preferences they have looked into?There are a range of vehicle modifications options that could be considered – left foot accelerator is common for people who have a right lower limb amputation, hand controls (hand accelerator and brake, of which there are several types) are also common, and many people report they have found this easier to learn to drive with compared to a left foot accelerator.
There are a small number of people who have a well-fitting and tolerated prosthesis (usually with a below knee amputation) and have good sensation (superficial and proprioception) who can drive with their prosthesis.
This and other vehicle modifications can be trialled in an on-road assessment with the occupational therapy driving and specialist driving instructor. This is undertaken in dual controlled vehicle to ensure safety for everyone involved in the assessment process.
I have discovered that no two clients are the same, and there is not a one size fits all approach that works for everyone. It all comes down to individual assessment of clients and their needs. An occupational therapy driving assessment can help individuals to trial and test a range of vehicle modification options to find the best fit for them based on their needs and preferences.
It is very easy to be wined and dined by the idea of buying what appears to be a wheelchair accessibility vehicle to enable a person to travel in their wheelchair, for the cost of around $25K – $30K, in the form of a Japanese-imports wheelchair vehicles such as the Toyota Noah, Toyota Voxy, Nissan Cube and even imported Toyota Hiace Commuters, however the sad reality is that these vehicles are NOT recommended (or LEGAL for wheelchair occupant travel) in Australia.
Unlike in Australia, these vehicles are not built and then modified, they are actually built with a lowered floor and ramp at the rear, and fitted with “wheelchair restraints”.
What you may know:
All vehicles in Australia must comply to the Australian Design Rules – a huge online public document, that outlines all the safety features required for vehicles to be legal in Australia: everything from seatbelts, seating, to lights, to noise and fuel emissions.
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/vehicles/vehicle-design-regulation/australian-design-rules
These Japanese vehicles are imported under the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme); when they come off the ship, they are inspected against the Federal against Australian Design Rules, and (if the overall vehicle is safe) stamped with a Federal compliance plate indicating that they meet the Australian Design Rules.
What you didn’t know:
The Australian Design Rules does not explain the requirements for safe wheelchair access or wheelchair occupant travel. They don’t even mention it. Not once.
So we have a vehicle that is federally compliant to be sold as a mainstream vehicle, – however this compliance DOES NOT include the wheelchair occupant travel.
But, these cars are sold to families to enable wheelchair occupant travel.
Compliance for wheelchair occupant travel
As the ADR does not explain the requirements for safe wheelchair occupant travel, the next level of governance are the multiple Australian Standards (which are in line with ISO standards) that outline safe and best practice. It is very important to understand that the Japanese standards DO NOT meet Australian Standards.
For a list of the Australian Standards that we reference in our assessment and vehicle application click here.
Each state licencing authority also has a Vehicle Standards Bulletin and codes related to mobility vehicle modifications, that must be inspected by an approved engineer and complianced. They will usually receive a plate attached to the car and triplicate documentation (that is kept by the modifier/engineer, kept by the client, and sent to the Transport department).
The key elements of Australian Standards for mobility vehicles include:
- Wheelchair restraints that are tested and compliant
- Access ramp – the gradient (or slope angle), load rating and configuration of the ramp
- Length of the wheelchair space available
- Clearance zones above head height, in front of head and behind head when tied-down and travelling
- Lap-sash inertia reel seatbelt is now considered best practice for all vehicle occupants.
- The wheelchair itself must be crash tested for wheelchair occupant travel, and have suitable tie-down points, a suitable backrest and headrest.
Problems in this Japanese import disability Hiace Commuter:
- It’s pretty impossible to attach the front restraints – the user has to be in position and then a carer has to reach down across them to the floor to attach that front-right restraint.
- The back wheels and restraints are attached to the MOVING platform lifter! The back restraints are not actually attached to the vehicle itself!
- The seatbelt is in the completely wrong place and does not sit over the user’s shoulder. It is also not an inertia-reel seatbelt – it is just flapping away in the breeze.
- To push the wheelchair user into the vehicle, the carer has to perch on the edge of the tailgate and then climb over the back ledge of the platform lifter – an accident waiting to happen.
Jeff Watters, Automobility Owner and Mechanical Engineer provides some insights into why these vehicles don’t meet Australian Standards for wheelchair travel. You can find his full post here.
There are a few other very pertinent points you need to consider about these imported vehicles:
- Are the instructions for the vehicle modifications available in English?
- Have the vehicle modifications been tested? How? To what extent? To what rating?
- Technical support/spare parts – What technical support and spare parts are available in Australia for the vehicle?
- Warranty on the vehicle and conversion? The sale of a used vehicle comes with a statutory 3-month warranty and that’s it. There is NO warranty on the conversion whatsoever.
- Ongoing support – What ongoing support are you going to receive for servicing and repair of the mobility conversion on the vehicle? Who is going to provide this – the car salesman? Probably not. Toyota? Probably not.
- If my state licencing authority inspects this vehicle, will it pass all of their compliance and be able to maintain legal registration on the road?
What car salesman will tell you:
They will tell you that the restraints can be replaced by a local vehicle modifier.
Technically, this is correct, however just replacing the restraints does not make the overall vehicle compliant. All of the other problems including the floor cut, the ramp, the under-body work, the seatbelt, the clearance zones (above head, in front of head and behind head) – will still be there.
Most vehicle modifiers will not be willing to replace the restraints in these vehicles, because if they do, then they will inherit all the other problems.
Bottom line
Car salesmen do not know about mobility, understand mobility issues, or probably even care. They’re just trying to sell you a car.
This is why experienced Occupational Therapists are part of the vehicle prescription process and are required to write a report for NDIS for funding to be considered.
Unless you are provided with Engineering certification regarding the compliance to Australian Standards, the vehicle is NOT legally registered as a wheelchair access vehicle. As an interesting aside here, NDIS are now expressly requiring an Engineering certificate and roadworthy for any of these import vehicles before they will even consider funding it.
Need help?
If you need help with vehicle modifications for community access and driving, you can refer to us here.
Brisbane OT driver assessors were recently provided the opportunity to practice driving with vehicle mods with Total Ability and our specialised driving instructors, at the RACQ Mobility Centre at Mount Cotton.
Driving OTs frequently work with clients with physical injuries, conditions and disabilities which may impact their ability to use conventional vehicle controls independently and may need modifications to enable them to drive. There are a multitude of driving modifications available, including various types of spinner knobs, hand controls, left foot accelerator pedals, through to higher level / advanced modifications such as the mini wheel and joystick steering, and driving from wheelchair.
Driving OTs are skilled at assessing clients’ functional abilities and work together with the client and a suitable driving instructor, to work out what driving modification will best suit the client and their situation. The driving OT will also guide the client on the process that is required for them and support them with applying for funding for driving lessons and funding of the modifications, guide them through the licensing process, and explaining the engineering and compliance process.
What we are not necessarily skilled at, is actually driving with the modifications themselves!
Having a professional development day offline, in the company of our friends and colleagues, in a safe and supported environment to practice driving with the various vehicle mods on a closed track (no traffic!) was just invaluable.
Myself, Zoe and Amanda were all able to attend and between us, we practiced driving with:
- Fadiel e-radial hand control and spinner knob
- Fadiel trigger hand control and Lodgesons lollipop spinner knob
- Basic push-pat mechanical hand control and spinner knob
- Left satellite accelerator and right brake lever
- Left satellite accelerator and left Fadiel easy drive brake (I didn’t think this would be do-able, but after a client demonstrated this with ease, I was up to the challenge and yes it certainly can be done!)
- Left mini-wheel advanced electronic steering and right two-way joystick (brake/accelerator) drive from wheelchair
- Left foot accelerator (for me, this is still the hardest way to drive – I am not coordinated with my feet at all)
- Four-way joystick (brake, accelerator and steering all-in-one) drive from wheelchair – I was not game to test this one out… kudos to the driving OTs that did.
Biggest takeaways for our team were:
- it was useful to remember the functional components required to drive with each of the modification types
- “unlearning” of our standard recommendation – the technology and techniques have advanced and grown, so our previous go-to (which still works) might not be the only option.
- There are so many options, that it is really up to what suits the client best, and that they may need several trials to settle on the right modification for them.
Sharing a huge congratulations again to Paul Crake and his team at Total Ability once again for their efforts which were rewarded at the May ATSA conference in Brisbane, with Paul taking out not one, but three awards for:
- Commitment to Excellence (shout out too to Ali Akbarian at Mobility Engineering – sponsor of the Drive-Able podcast
- 2024 Industry Person of the Year
- 2024 Supplier / Manufacturer of the year
Total Ability have dedicated time and resources to supporting the driving and disability industry and have developed several resources to assist clients and OTs understand the vehicle mods process.
For anyone needing vehicle modifications to return to driving, there will be an involved process that will likely include:
- OT driving assessment (including a clinical and practical on-road assessment; multiple trials may be necessary to find the best option)
- OT driving assessment report and recommendations for funding
- Driving lessons with the driving instructor to develop competency and safety – “is this consistent and reliable?”
- Applying for vehicle modifications funding (eg to the NDIS, NIISQ, i-Care, TAC, HCP)
- Completing an on-road re-assessment / handover assessment upon completion of the modifications, and a post-modification report.
Helping drivers return to driving or learn to drive with vehicle mods is one of our favourite things to do – that handover day to see a client driving away with their vehicle and regaining their independence, is absolutely magical to us.
If you need assistance with returning to driving, please check out our website or make a referral!
People with Motor Neurone Disease go through huge changes in their daily life, incredibly quickly. All of a sudden they are unable to stand up by themselves, walk to the bathroom, go out to the shops as they previously did. All of a sudden they are unable to do the things we take for granted every day.
One man I worked with recently had this same story.
The problem…
All of a sudden he was having black outs and couldn’t walk any more. He was quickly provided with a hire wheelchair to get him by until he could get a scripted power wheelchair more suitable to his needs. When I met him in September he was still transferring into a standard car, but I knew this could change really fast. It is so important to think about the future – for MND, things can keep changing really quickly and we need to plan for the worst case scenario, and any vehicle mods solution that we recommend needs to be safe, consistent and reliable, and sustainable. It also needs to meet the insurers “reasonable and necessary” requirements.
I explained the options to to this fellow and his family, and showed a few options on vehicle modifier websites.
The lowered floor conversion to a Kia Carnival is a really effective, popular, and affordable solution, and many Australians use this option. The other options that are also equally effective include the Hyundai Staria and Volkswagen Multivan.
The trial…
The Kia Carnival looked like the way to go in this case, so I quickly commenced the process of trialling and applying to NDIS for vehicle modifications to his Kia Carnival to enable him to transport in his power wheelchair.
The trial was at the client’s home, and allowed him the opportunity to drive up into the car in his electric crashtested wheelchair, see how the restraints work, and go for a test drive. It was all smooth sailing. I gathered all the paperwork needed (there is a lot), and submitted an application to the NDIS to have the modifications funded. The client is responsible for purchasing the actual car.
The approval…
By the end of February 2024, we received approval from NDIS to proceed with vehicle modifications. This is a pretty quick turn-around time in the NDIS world. But, within this time he had lost his ability to transfer into a standard car seat. By the time the approval came through, he’d been stuck at home for 2-3 months, unable to go anywhere over the Christmas period. His hire wheelchair was not suitable for transport, and he couldn’t transfer out of it. Imagine that – being stuck in your own home over Christmas, not being able to take your kids out to celebrate the school holidays, not able to go Christmas shopping, not being able to visit family.
So, the NDIS approval came through at the end of February. Blair and his team at KM Kite on the Gold Coast bent over backwards to schedule the modifications and make it happen as quickly as possible. A job that usually takes 6-8 weeks minimum, they got sorted in less than 4 weeks. They also managed to get him a hire car NDIS had approved funding for so he could transport in the meantime. By the end of March, he had his Kia Carnival with passenger modifications for wheelchair occupant travel.
The solution!
Have a look at the smile on his face!
Lowered floor Kia Carnival delivered with a big blue bow!
He was stoked he could finally, again: be a part of taking his kids to school, going to the shops, going out to watch the footy. All the activities we take for granted every day.
His story really highlights the need for supports to be quickly accessible for people with MND, and the need for increased awareness around the challenges they face.
Zoe Wagner-Jordan, OT Driver Assessor, Driving Well Occupational Therapy
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Driving Well Occupational Therapy is a busy practice that provides OT driving assessment and vehicle modification services for people with medical conditions and injuries in Brisbane, Ipswich and northern Gold Coast. We service clients who are self-funding, NDIS and other compensable (WorkCover, NIISQ, TAC, iCare).
On behalf of the team at Driving Well Occupational Therapy and in the spirit of reconciliation, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Turrbul and Yuggera country, where our team live and serve the majority of our clients, as well as to all Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to the land, sea and community. I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people today.
On behalf of the team at Driving Well Occupational Therapy and in the spirit of reconciliation, I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Turrbul and Yuggera country, where our team live and serve the majority of our clients, as well as to all Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to the land, sea and community. I pay my respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all First Nations people today.
