The Accessible Show and Shine event will bring together people who own wheelchair accessible vehicles and people who are needing to purchase, upgrade, or modify an accessible vehicle.

The format of the event would be that owners would open up their vehicles and demonstrate their accessibility features. People would be able to check out things they are interested in and may have the chance to test and measure to see if they are suitable for their needs. They would also be able to talk directly to the owners about where and how they sourced the vehicles, products and modifications. and anything they have learned along the way or would do differently next time.

Local sales and support for these vehicles and modifications are very limited. People are often buying vehicles unseen from interstate or imported from overseas.

The technology is advancing rapidly, and there are Incredible options for customisation and automation (see images in attached file). The challenge is to find what is out there and what will work for each of us.

NDIS funding is available to help with vehicle modifications but the purchase of the vehicle itself is the responsibility of the owner and the vehicle options are restricted and all fall in a high price bracket. There are strict eligibility and justification requirements for the funding of ramps, lifters and other vehicle modifications. Without seeing, testing and advice from others, it's hard to even start that process.

This event would help more people to have the know-how and confidence to embark on that process and to overcome some of the transport barriers that stop them from or make it hard-work to get out and about in their communities and do the things they want to do.