Make a Car More Accessible for Aging, Disability Injury, Pregnancy

As it turned out, there was. “When they looked at me and at the car, they decided I needed to come up even higher,” he says. He drove away from the CarFit event with a 2-inch cushion, a better view of the road ahead, and a newfound respect for the CarFit program.

“Even in what I thought was my great awareness, they did indeed tweak a few things,” he says.

Whether due to aging, illness, disability, pregnancy, or recovery from a medical procedure, there are many reasons you might find driving or sitting in a car more uncomfortable or difficult. If you’d like to make things easier for yourself behind the wheel or as a passenger, or if you’re a caregiver for someone who has difficulty getting into and out of a car, there are thousands of accessories you can buy.

But before you click “Buy Now,” you might want to follow Wiebell’s lead and talk to a trained professional first. Sometimes that’s as simple as asking a healthcare provider who’s already helping you with the issue that’s making driving more challenging. 

For major alterations that change how a car drives, you’ll probably want to avoid the DIY approach altogether and consult with a certified driving rehabilitation specialist (CDRS).

“Some modifications might seem minor, but they can have significant effects on the safety of your vehicle, such as how the seat belts and airbags operate,” says Jennifer Stockburger, director of operations at Consumer Reports’ Auto Test Center. “Other changes may sound like a good idea but may not actually provide the help you need.”

We put together a list of easy, inexpensive modifications you can make yourself, including some useful gadgets you might not have thought about or features that your car may already have. We also talked with certified driving rehabilitation specialists and CarFit trainers for advice on when—and how—to get help from a specialist.