Disability, injury, or complex health needs can make travel more challenging while increasing the need to get out for appointments, social connections, or a change of scene.
Modifying your car or caravan may be the answer. Our Occupational Therapists assess how you use your vehicle and recommend modifications to improve comfort, function, and independence.
Vehicle modification assessments
Vehicle and caravan modifications sit at the intersection of healthcare, equipment, engineering and regulatory compliance. Recommendations need to be carefully tailored to individual needs, equipment to be transported and the vehicle being used.
Our Occupational Therapists assess driver and passenger needs, then prepare detailed recommendations for modifications such as:
- Wheelchair accessible vehicles
- Wheelchair ramps for cars
- Wheelchair hoists for cars
- Lowered floor conversions
- Modified seating and restraints
- Accessible caravans
- Transfer supports and person lifting hoists
- Mobility aid storage solutions
- Disability equipment for cars
- Mobility van conversions
- Vehicle entry, exit, and AT loading modifications for drivers and passengers.
Our clients include children, adults and seniors with disability or complex health needs. Funding pathways include NDIS, Support at Home, SWEP, TAC, iCare or private funds.
We work with qualified vehicle modifiers to ensure our recommendations meet your individual needs and align with relevant technical regulatory requirements.
Assessments for wheelchair-accessible vehicles
Assessments begin by understanding how the person will get in and out of the vehicle and how their equipment will be loaded and secured.
The goal is to make travel as easy as possible for the person and their driver. This may include recommendations for a wheelchair hoist for car access, wheelchair tie-downs, ramps, person lifting hoists, and storage for mobility equipment.
NDIS vehicle modifications
The NDIS may fund vehicle modifications where they are considered reasonable and necessary to help a participant access safe, suitable, and accessible transport.
Vehicle modifications have their own assessment, reporting, and approval process, so recommendations need to be clearly linked to the participant’s disability-related transport needs.
Our Occupational Therapists prepare detailed reports to support NDIS funding requests, which cover:
- Your current transport setup and barriers
- How your disability impacts vehicle access or driving
- The modifications being considered
- Trial outcomes where relevant
- Function and long-term usability
- Compatibility with assistive technology being used
- Supporting clinical justification for the recommended option.
The modification process
1. Initial assessment
We start by understanding your goals, functional needs, current vehicle or caravan setup and any barriers affecting access or independence.
2. Vehicle modifier consultation
Where needed, we work alongside vehicle modifiers and suppliers to explore practical options that suit your body, equipment, vehicle type and lifestyle.
3. Trial with modifications
Where possible, we support trials, so you can test the recommended set-up. This helps identify what works best before major decisions are made.
4. Report for funding request
If required, we prepare an Occupational Therapy report to support your funding request. This report outlines your functional needs, the recommended modifications, relevant trial outcomes and the clinical reasoning behind the proposed solution.
5. Final inspection and sign-off
Once modifications are completed, final review and sign-off help confirm the solution is ready for everyday use.
Accessible caravans
Caravan modification assessments require specific knowledge of access, transfers, mobility equipment, compact living environments, and travel routines.
At Enabled Designs, we support people who need a more practical and accessible caravan setup to travel with greater comfort, safety, and independence across Australia.
- Entry access solutions
- Internal circulation space
- Bathroom access and shower seating
- Grab rails and transfer supports
- Bed access and height adjustments
- Hoists and lifting solutions
- Storage access
- Wheelchair and mobility equipment access and storage.
Why choose Enabled Designs
Our experienced Occupational Therapists bring together clinical reasoning, practical problem-solving and a strong understanding of how people function in real environments.
Modifying a vehicle is a complex endeavour. When done well, it can reap many rewards by enabling easier travel and greater independence.
