Safety Tips: Transporting Children with Disabilities

Automotive conversions are often completed to meet your exact accessibility needs; there are additional factors to weigh out if you plan on using the handicap van or car to transport children with disabilities. Here are a few things to keep in mind to keep your child safe while traveling:

• Children under the age of 12 should always ride in the backseats of a vehicle.
• Ensure ancillary pieces of medical equipment are secured on the vehicle floor or underneath the seat/wheelchair, as these may become dangerous projectiles in the event of an accident or rough terrain.
• If your child requires any electric equipment for travel, make sure you have a source of power to last twice as long as you need for the duration of the trip, in case of changing circumstances.
• Bring extra supplies like medicines, prescriptions and sustenance along for the trip to account for any changes in schedule or lost items.
• Allow your child to sit with or close to family members or caregivers by transferring them from their wheelchair to a seat in the car (if possible) or positioning their wheelchair close to others. This not only adds protection and lets you keep an eye on them, but also adds a feeling of comfort, security and warmth for your child.
• Tinted windows will prevent your child from getting too hot from streaming sunlight.

These are just a few of our suggestions for staying safe on the road while traveling with your children. For more tips and tricks, be sure to check out our Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest pages!

The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) is an advocate for mobility and accessibility for drivers with disabilities. If you need help with converting or buying a handicap accessible car, truck or van, please consider one of our mobility equipment dealers.