Accessibility Equipment and Home Modifications
Children and youth with physical disabilities often require modifications or accessibility features to their home. Some of these are minor, like adding a hand rail and others are more substantial requiring structural alterations, such as track lifts, ramps and elevators. Before you invest in new equipment or start making modifications it is very important that you:
- Seek professional advice on your child’s needs from a qualified professional such as a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist
- Seek a qualified and experienced equipment vendor or builder who can provide advice on the considerations and costs of the equipment or modification
- Make sure you have the consent of your landlord if you live in rental premises
- Identify sources of funding and/or financial assistance for the cost of equipment or modifications
- Follow the steps required to access funding assistance in advance as many funders will not fund equipment or work that has been started or completed.
Tip Sheet: George Jeffrey Children’s Center Home Modification – The Need to Know for an Accessible Home
Vehicle Modifications
All children start out using car seats and for some children with physical disabilities a specialized car seat may be the only equipment they need to travel safely in a passenger vehicle. For most children and youth that use a wheelchair for mobility the family may require a vehicle that is suitable for moving the child and wheelchair or the child in a wheelchair. Vehicles that require modifications are very expensive. In addition, the vehicle modifications may impact the availability of financing for the vehicle purchase. Before you arrange for vehicle modifications or purchase a modified vehicle it is very important that you:
- Seek professional advice on your child’s needs from a qualified professional such as a Physiotherapist or Occupational Therapist
- Seek a qualified and experienced vendor or car dealer who can provide advice on the considerations and costs of the equipment or modification
- Identify sources of funding and/or financial assistance for the cost of the vehicle or the required vehicle modifications
- Follow the steps required to access funding assistance as many funders will not fund equipment or modifications that have been started or completed.
Tip Sheet: Driving with Adaptive Equipment – From Functional Driver Assessment and Rehabilitation to Working with a Mobility Equipment Dealer by National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED).
Financial Assistance with the Cost of Home and Vehicle Modifications
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHA) – Accessible and Adaptable Housing enables people of all ages and abilities to stay in their community as long as possible. Information on universal design for new homes, aging in place and hiring a contractor.
Easter Seals Ontario – Equipment Funding Program
For more information, check the following:
March of Dimes Home & Vehicle Modification Program
The Home & Vehicle Modification® Program is only available in Ontario. It was established in 1991 and is funded by the Government of Ontario, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. March of Dimes Canada administers this disability management program for Ontario residents.
The Program provides funding for basic home and/or vehicle modifications and is intended to assist permanent Ontario residents with a substantial impairment expected to last one year or more with their disability management. To be eligible, you must:
- live in Ontario
- qualify financially, and
- have a substantial impairment caused by bodily injury, a birth defect or illness. It is ongoing and/or recurring and is expected to last one year or more. This impairment must
- impede mobility, and
- result in substantial restriction in the activities of daily living (e.g. your personal care, or your participation in the community).
As there is limited funding, applicants are encouraged to first access any other sources of available public or private funding of disability management programs or disability return to work programs before applying to this government funded program. Consumers who meet program criteria can apply for grant funding:
- Up to $15,000 lifetime maximum for home modifications, and/or
- Up to $15,000 every ten years for vehicle modifications
For more information, check the March of Dimes website at:
The Home & Vehicle Modification® Program
