Parent Education Network 2107 Industrial Highway, York, PA 17402 717-600-0100 V/TTY or 1-800-522-5827 V/TTY or 1-800-441-5028 (Spanish), 717-600-8101 fax

Driving Adaptations for Physical Limitations
Pennsylvania Driving Evaluators for Individuals with Disabilities

Fact Sheets on Driving with a Disability (web site)

Adapting Motor Vehicles for People with Disabilities (web site)

Community Inclusion Driver Strategy - Assisting People with Disabilities (web site)

DRIVING ADAPTATIONS FOR PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS

A common question surrounding transportation is "Will I ever be able to drive?" Before coming to a decision about this important issue, it is helpful to be aware of skills required for driving, driver evaluations, and special supports and adaptations which assist individuals with disabilities to have driving independence.

Adaptive car equipment (such as adapted hand and foot controls) is available for individuals who have lost or have limited use of hands, arms, or legs. For individuals who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, examples of adaptations include passenger side mirrors, interior lights for individuals who sign, and a newly designed siren light to indicate police and emergency vehicles. For individuals using a wheelchair, different lifts are available to place the wheelchair in the trunk of the car or in a storage box on top of the car to enable the individual to independently get into and out of the vehicle.

Adaptive van equipment may assist individuals who have a limited range of motion or limited manual dexterity or loss of use of one or both legs. Vans may be modified to include wheelchair lifts, special seating, adapted ignition and adapted driving controls.

Modifications to vans can be very expensive. State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies may assist with the costs of these modifications (PA OVR does not assist with the cost of the van) for individuals who qualify for this Vocational Rehabilitation service. Vehicle modification through OVR is a service which is designed to enable individuals to achieve a competitive employment outcome. Contact the Vocational Rehabilitation Agency in your state for specific procedures to obtain this assistance. For individual assistance in Pennsylvania, contact the Transportation Service Coordinator in the OVR District Office serving your area.

BEFORE PURCHASING A VAN WHICH SOME DAY MAY BE MODIFIED THROUGH THE ASSISTANCE OF THE STATE VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION AGENCY, IT IS HELPFUL TO BE AWARE OF THE STATE VR GUIDELINES REGARDING THE AGE OF THE VAN, MILEAGE ON USED VANS, AND CRITERIA FOR YOU TO QUALIFY FOR ASSISTANCE WITH VAN CONVERSION COSTS.


PENNSYLVANIA DRIVING EVALUATORS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES

Ms. Lori Benner
University Hospital Rehab Center
Mobility Training Program
PO Box 850
Hershey, PA 17033
717-531-7444 (ph) 717-531-4558 (fax)

Mr. Mike Kohan
St. Vincent Rehab Center
Driver Evaluation and Training Center
232 West 25th Street
Erie, PA 16544
814-452-5231 (ph)

Ms. Carmella Strano, Director
Moss Rehab Hospital Driver Evaluation and Training
JCC Klein
10100 Jameson Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19116
215-673-6559 (ph) 215-676-9593 (fax)

Mr. Thomas Kalina
Bryn Mawr Rehab-Adaptive Driver Education Program
414 Paoli Pike
Malvern, PA 19355
(610-251-5688

Mr. Clint Rabold
Harmarville Rehab Center
Driver Evaluation and Training Program
PO Box 11460
Guys Run Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
412-826-2742 (ph) 412-826-2174 (fax)

Mr. John Heinz
Allied Services Inst. of Rehab Medicine - OT Department
150 Mundy Street, PO Box 2096
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703
717-826-3800 (ph) 717-826-3898 (fax)

Ms. Linda Moore
Allied Services Inst. of Rehab Medicine
475 Morgan Highway
PO Box 1103
Scranton, PA 18501
717-348-1300 (ph) 717-348-1261 (fax)