Where Can I Find Help Buying an Adaptive Vehicle or Making My Vehicle Accessible?1 Having an adaptive vehicle can be critical for individuals with disabilities and many have known the struggle to find reliable and affordable accommodations. The ability to drive safety and comfortably is important when maintaining the freedom to travel. Vehicle modifications can include: * Mechanical hand controls; * A left foot accelerator; * Reduced effort brakes and steering systems; * Power transfer seats; and * Lifts and ramps. Information On Vehicle Modifications * New Mobility is an online magazine put out by Untied Spinal Association and has several articles on adaptive vehicles including a yearly consumer guide. * The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website for Adapted Vehicles provides information on vehicle modifications for people with disabilities. * CarFit is an educational program to help older adults ensure their cars still fit their needs. * The Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists can locate driver rehabilitation specialists and mobility equipment dealers near you. * The Mobility Resource adaptive driving marketplace. * Money Geek offers a guide on adapted vehicles providing information on topics such as vehicle modification and insurance. * Car Talk has a great deal of information covering driver rehabilitation specialists, adaptive devices and vehicles, insurance, financial assistance, car manufacturer reimbursement programs, and renting adaptive vehicles. Help Paying for Modifications – Michigan Resources * MI-UCP Assistive Technology Loan Fund at 517-203-1200 option #2. Or email at attech@mi-ucp.org; MI UCP may have helpful information in addition to the loan program. * Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS) helps find and maintain employment for persons with disabilities. For many, this requires an accessible van with which to seek jobs, attend interviews and, of course, get to work on a daily basis; * Also see The Mobility Resource website page on Michigan Disability Grants and Resources. * Children’s Special Needs Fund call 517-241-7420 or 1-800-859-3722; * Michigan Disability Rights Coalition (MDRC) Assistive Technology Exchange Program. Federal Programs * Social Security Administration (SSA): SSA’s Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program offers the Plan to Achieve Self-Support (PASS) program, which helps people with disabilities pay for items or services related to employment goals. If you are PASS participant and vehicle modifications are necessary for you to get to work, SSA may be able to help you pay for them. For more information about PASS, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday – Friday. * Medicare or Medicaid: Medicare may pay for vehicle modifications under certain circumstances and following a special evaluation performed by a qualified practitioner. Call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) for more information. You may also be able to pay for vehicle modifications through a waiver from your state’s Medicaid program. Contract your state’s Medicaid office to learn more. MICHIGAN MEDICAID Will pay for Adaptions/Modifications to vehicles already owned or purchased by the recipient through a HAB and B3 Waivers. The purchase or lease of a vehicle, as well as any repairs or routine maintenance to the vehicle, is not covered. SECTION 15 – HABILITATION SUPPORTS WAIVER FOR PERSONS WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES “HAB WAIVER” See page 424, of Michigan Medicaid Provider Manual DEFINITION OF - ENHANCED MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES Enhanced medical equipment and supplies include devices, supplies, controls, or appliances that are not available under regular Medicaid coverage or through other insurances. (Refer to the Medical Supplier Chapter of this manual for more information about Medicaid-covered equipment and supplies.) All enhanced medical equipment and supplies must be specified in the plan of service and must enable the beneficiary to increase his abilities to perform activities of daily living; or to perceive, control, or communicate with the environment. Items that are not of direct medical or remedial benefit, or that are considered to be experimental to the beneficiary, are excluded from coverage. * "Direct medical or remedial" benefit is a prescribed specialized treatment and its associated equipment or environmental accessibility adaptation that are essential to the implementation of the individual plan of service. * "Experimental" means that the validity of the use of the item has not been supported in one or more studies in a refereed professional journal. The plan must document that, as a result of the treatment and its associated equipment or adaptation, institutionalization of the beneficiary will be prevented. There must be documented evidence that the item is the most cost-effective alternative to meet the beneficiary’s need. All items must be ordered on a prescription as defined in the General Information Section of this chapter. An order is valid one year from the date it was signed. This coverage includes: > Adaptations to vehicles; (Note: The purchase or lease of a vehicle, as well as any repairs or routine maintenance to the vehicle, is not covered.) SECTION 17 - ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES UNDER 1915(B)(3) WAIVERS “B3” Wavier. See page 448, of Michigan Medicaid Provider Manual 17.3.A. ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY Assistive technology is an item or set of items that enable the individual to increase his ability to perform activities of daily living with a greater degree of independence than without them; to perceive, control, or communicate with the environment in which he lives. These are items that are not available through other Medicaid coverage or through other insurances. These items must be specified in the individual plan of service. All items must be ordered by a physician on a prescription as defined in the General Information section of this chapter. An order is valid for one year from the date it was signed. Coverage includes: > Adaptations to vehicles; (Note: The purchase or lease of a vehicle, as well as any repairs or routine maintenance to the vehicle, is not covered.) Additional Options • National Organization for Vehicle Accessibility (Nova) Grant program for adaptive vehicle equipment up to $5,000. •Talk to your auto dealer Many dealers offer financing programs and may know of other resources to help you. • Local and national organizations Check with organizations that are specific to your disability. Some organizations may have programs to help with funding of a vehicle or vehicle modifications. Other organizations may be able to assist children or veterans. This information is a service of Disability Rights Michigan (DRM). It provides general information, based on the law at the time we wrote it, and is not legal advice. You do not have an attorney-client relationship with DRM. If you need legal advice, you should contact an attorney. If you would like more information about this topic or would like to receive this information in an alternative format call DRM at 800.288.5923 or visit our website, www.drmich.org. Disability Rights Michigan (DRM) is mandated by federal and state law to protect the legal rights of individuals with disabilities in Michigan. DRM receives part of its funding from the Administration on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, the Center for Mental Health Services-Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Rehabilitation Services Administration and the Social Security Administration. Updated May, 2022 1 Much of this information was obtained from https://www.disability.gov/can-find-help-make-vehicle-accessible (accessed 8-2014 but no longer exists as of at least 5/2018). Additional resources were added to this guide through a list complied by the Great Plains ADA Center. Please note DRM does not endorse any resources listed. --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ --------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ 2