441.00 Vehicle Modifications, Adaptive and Automotive Equipment
April 1, 2002
This policy contains the following sections:
- Description
- Policy
- Services
- Automotive Equipment Options
- Limitations on Financial Participation
- Selection of Vendors
DESCRIPTION
Modifications and equipment are any item or product system, whether acquired commercially or off the shelf, modified or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve an individual's functional capacity to drive or be a passenger as follows:
Adaptive Equipment - Adaptive equipment is designed to enable an individual with a disability to operate or be transported in a motor vehicle. This is generally not available as an option through the vehicle manufacturer.
Modifications - Modifications of a vehicle include adaptation and/or changes to the structure, internal design, and existing vehicle equipment.
Automotive Equipment - Automotive equipment includes anything that is available as original standard or optional equipment from the manufacturer.
POLICY
VESID does not purchase vehicles. Vehicle modifications, adaptive equipment, and automotive equipment for vehicles may be provided for an eligible individual who owns or has the use of an appropriate vehicle. The individual must require these services to drive or to ride as a passenger to meet his or her employment outcome. The provision of vehicle modification and adaptive equipment should preclude the need for special transportation. The determination of economic need is required before provision of Vehicle Modifications or Adaptive Equipment where applicable. Comparable benefits such as those available from the Veterans Administration and Worker's Compensation are to be considered and used prior to VESID providing service.
The modifications/adaptations that are provided must be the most cost-effective without compromising individuals to transport themselves to a job and, if applicable, to training. Depending on the individual's needs, Driver Evaluation and Training may be necessary prior to modifying a vehicle.
VESID and the individual will work together to determine the necessary vehicle modifications and vehicle adaptive equipment services that will meet the individual's functional needs to achieve the employment outcome.
Vehicle modifications, adaptive and automotive equipment may be provided only if there is a written recommendation and justification by a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist that indicates which specific equipment is required due to the individual's functional limitations.
Prior to the consumer purchasing a vehicle, VESID, as part of a vehicle modification assessment may provide information on recommended factory automotive equipment and vehicle models to ensure adaptive equipment will fit into and work effectively in the vehicle.
SERVICES
Vehicle Modification Assessment- A vehicle modification assessment must be completed and a report is required prior to VESID's agreeing to pay for any modifications. The individual must be able to identify the make, model and year of vehicle that will be modified. The report must provide specific details concerning the exact disability-related changes necessary. If the consumer has already purchased a vehicle, a determination will be made as to whether the existing vehicle can be modified for that individual's needs.
When the vehicle to be modified is not owned by the eligible individual, adaptive equipment may be provided only if VESID is provided with written documentation that the owner of the vehicle agrees to the modification and the vehicle will be available on a long-term basis to be used by the individual to attain the employment outcome.
Vehicle Inspection- Required for most vehicle modifications and conducted by a vendor who is approved by VESID to do vehicle inspections.
Vehicle Modification- A vehicle modification shall only be done after the individual has completed or is near completion of driver training and a vehicle assessment is completed.
Performance Assessment- The purpose is to verify that all adaptive equipment and modifications to the vehicle meet the individual's functional needs and are consistent with his or her abilities. Additional training may be required. At the completion of the vehicle modifications, a performance assessment must be done by the Driver Rehabilitation Specialist with the individual present. This may be done at the same time as the Vehicle Inspection.
AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT OPTIONS
Automotive equipment available from the dealer may be required for the individual to drive or be a passenger. The equipment must be recommended by the Driver Rehabilitation Specialist based on the individual's functional limitations. The base model of a vehicle is one that is the least expensive available that is capable of accepting the modifications and adaptive equipment required for the consumer's transportation needs. . VESID will not pay for standard equipment that is included on the base model of the vehicle. The VESID counselor shall consider manufacturer packages, above the base model, as a cost-effective means of obtaining what the consumer needs. For consumers who already have a car available VESID will not pay retroactively for modifications or options already on the vehicle.
LIMITATIONS ON FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION
A. Basic vehicle repair, adaptive equipment maintenance, and insurance costs are the responsibility of the consumer, and should be fully and carefully explained by the counselor.
B. VESID may assist with repairs to the adaptive equipment or vehicle modifications in emergency situations where the consumer is financially unable to do repairs, failure to repair would jeopardize that individual's training or employment, and it is cost-effective to do so. However, VESID's participation will be based on an apportionment for the amount of the individual's personal use of the vehicle, as compared with employment related use.
C. When modifications are being provided for a consumer who will be a passenger and not the vehicle operator, VESID will not pay for a quick release driver's seat or a power lockdown for a wheelchair. Services to an individual who will not be the operator of the motor vehicle will be only be those which are essential to insure safe transportation and to provide exit from and entrance into the vehicle.
D. Used Vehicles - If modifying used vehicles, the vehicle must:
1. Be structurally sound and not in need of mechanical repairs. When structural or mechanical integrity is in question, this determination will be made by a VESID approved vehicle inspector.
2. For vans over 5 years old or above 50,000 miles, pass an inspection by either a DMV-approved garage or VESID-approved equivalent business that does this work.
E. No IPE or combination of original IPE and amendments may exceed the following limitations unless a waiver is obtained in accordance with VESID’s waiver policy:
1. Cars- the combined adaptive equipment and modifications services are limited to a maximum of $7,000.
2. Vans- the combined adaptive equipment and modifications for consumers who cannot drive a car with adaptive equipment are limited to a maximum of $25,000.
3. For consumers who can safely and independently transfer into and drive a modified car and who also use a manual wheelchair which they can independently transport, the maximum VESID contribution toward a van modification will be $7,000.
F. Used equipment is sometimes the option a consumer chooses to pursue. To ensure the greatest safety and performance, VESID will agree to purchase equipment on used modified vehicles only after a thorough vehicle inspection to assure conformance to equipment and installation standards. The equipment must meet the individual's functional needs as determined by the Driver Rehabilitation Specialist and be in good working condition, as determined by a vehicle modifier.
SELECTION OF VENDORS
Vehicle adaptive equipment, automotive equipment or modification vendors must be approved by VESID's Operations Unit and must be selected using the standard bidding process.
REFERENCE
Related Policies:
Note that this document and all related documents referenced within it, are available on the VESID website.
