Adapt your vehicle
New wheelchair user? You can retrofit your car to make it accessible for you

In India, despite numerous laws and policies, moving around for a wheelchair user is always challenging. This is even more so in terms of public transport – for example, trains are accessible, but stairs are the only way to get to the platform, or buses have space for wheelchairs but no ramp to get on, etc. In this scenario, retrofitting a car to suit a wheelchair user’s needs, whether as passenger or in self-drive mode, is a one-time investment and a suitable choice.
You can either buy a new car that has been adapted to limited mobility needs or get a second-hand vehicle customized to your requirements. Renault is one of the biggest automobile manufacturers in the world who develop wheelchair friendly vehicles on an industrial scale. There is also a range of Western car manufacturers who make vehicles specifically for the disabled such as BraunAbility, REV Group, MobilityWorks and Vantage Mobility International.
There are a few companies in India that modify cars for the mobility impaired. Take for instance True Assistive Technology that offers different types of swivel seats to make it easy to get into the car. A bunch of car modification agencies also retrofit cars of all budgets to suit the needs of people with mobility issues. But what do these modifications really include?
The Indian government has put out safety rules and regulations for disability friendly cars or modified vehicles. Once the vehicle is modified in any way, you need to register it at your nearest RTO office as an adapted vehicle. If you are registered under the Divyangjan category, you’ll also get tax benefits. There is a specific list of manual and automatic cars by different manufacturers that you can modify – available at RTO – so make sure you’re making the right choice.
Some of the most common modifications include fitting power ramps or hydraulic lifts that fold into the vehicle at the side or rear entrances, providing hand-controlled brake, accelerator and clutch, and a gearshift that’s reachable; lower floors, higher ceilings; removable seats especially at the back to make space for the wheelchair; and other critical additions such as space and a lock to anchor the wheelchair, easy in-seat maneuverability, modified seatbelts for wheelchair bound drivers, etc.
Vehicular modifications allow you to claim back control in a crucial aspect of your life as a wheelchair user, offering you the freedom to travel from one place to another without depending on hired cars. Even as the loved one of a wheelchair bound person, you have the ability to lead your life as independently as possible when you have a retrofitted car. It’s definitely worth your time and money.
Related
-
Apps that simplify life
-
Enhancing Quality of Life
-
Apps make caregiving easier
-
A Guide to Buy Mobility Equipment Online
-
Different Types of Home Health Care Services in India
-
Step into healthy living
-
The benefits of community care
-
Who make for ideal caregivers?
-
What do companion caregivers do?
-
Dealing with the odds
-
The Essential Guide to Finding the Best Patient Care Taker in Mumbai
-
Tips for Buying the Best Mobility Equipment for Your Needs
-
Choose your wheelchair well
-
Dont stop moving!
-
How to keep going with limited mobility
-
Tech that makes life better
-
Insurance is key to inclusion
-
The benefits of elder care services
-
Tips for Choosing the Right Health Service Provider
-
Navigating Mumbai with Ease: Your Guide to Reliable Mobility and Elder Care Solutions
-
Apps that keep you healthy
-
Advancements in Treatment and Care for Spina Bifida: What You Need to Know
-
Mobility aids to the rescue
-
The Ultimate Guide to Wheelchair Accessories: Boost Your Independence Today
-
Rehab: The road to recovery
-
A Complete Guide to Wheelchair Types and Their Prices in India
-
A Guide to Choosing the Right Handicapped Equipment for Your Needs
-
Senior care top tips