Design opportunities
The problem evidence
People, with and without disabilities, find it difficult to reach back, locate and fasten their seatbelt. Limited strength or movement in the neck, shoulders and arms can make twisting or reaching behind the body uncomfortable or challenging.
My lack of strength and flexibility means I can't easily turn to look at the socket to see what I'm doing, it’s hard to find.
Design proposition
The seatbelt moves forward towards the user, reducing how far they need to reach and twist to fasten it.
Further evidence and industry feedback
71% of people surveyed said this feature would make using a car easier.
45% said it could help them continue driving for longer, while 21% said they would make more journeys with this design.
For more quotes, evidence, testing results and design principles, download the full guidance pack.
The problem evidence
Every body is different. No one-seat-fits all. Fixed or heavily shaped seats can cause pain and discomfort, particularly for people transferring from a wheelchair or those who need more space.
“Seat comfort is absolutely key for someone who is already in pain – proper customisable support in the right places is a must.”
Of respondents who found travelling (very) difficult, 74% (109) said it was because of pain and discomfort during their journey.
Design proposition
More adjustable seating could give drivers and passengers greater choice, comfort and support. Seats could change shape to suit the individual, with adjustable bolsters that make sitting and transferring easier. More flexible front-seat layouts could also allow space for larger or specialist seats.
Further evidence and industry feedback
For more quotes, evidence, testing results and design principles, download the full guidance pack.
The problem evidence
The number and complexity of dashboard controls can make driving feel overwhelming. Controls may also be difficult to see, reach or use for people with different levels of mobility, flexibility or dexterity.
“When you physically have to touch the screen, you have to look at the screen [and not at the road].”
“I get shooting pain in my thumb with repetitive push buttons”
“Sometimes I can’t uncurl my fingers, so I use my knuckle to push controls”
“Window pull levers don’t work for me”
Design proposition
Make the dashboard simpler and more flexible, so it can better meet the needs of each driver.
A customisable layout would allow controls to be positioned where they are easier to see, reach and use, while reducing unnecessary complexity.
Further evidence and industry feedback
For more quotes, evidence, testing results and design principles, download the full guidance pack.
The problem evidence
Heating, navigation and other vehicle controls can be difficult to use for people who drive one-handed, use adapted driving controls or cannot reach beyond the steering wheel. Touchscreens can also be distracting while driving, while physical controls may be too small, fiddly or difficult to find, see and reach.
“I can’t turn the heating down when driving because I don’t have use of my left arm”
“If I want to change the heating, I have to stop the vehicle”
“The car is very button-heavy, there are lots of buttons everywhere, so I have to think about where the button is for the lesser-used things like fog lights”
Design proposition
Bring a range of vehicle functions together in one accessible control module, positioned where the driver can comfortably reach and use it.
A small set of customisable buttons could control different functions, with the selected options shown clearly on the driver display. This could reduce reaching and make controls easier to find and use safely.
Further evidence and industry feedback
For more quotes, evidence, testing results and design principles, download the full guidance pack.
The problem evidence
Standard vehicles are not designed with every driver and passenger in mind, so some people need specialist adaptations to make their car accessible. These can be expensive and time-consuming because vehicle models do not have consistent fixing points for adaptation equipment.
If companies aren't going to design an accessible vehicle, at least make it easy to adapt to be accessible, and therefore more of an accessible price.
Design proposition
Include standard fixing points in all vehicles for commonly used adaptations, such as:
- B-pillars for transfer plates
- A-pillars for grab handles, where these are not already built in
- Footwells for dual controls, pedal guards and similar equipment
- Boots for mobility-aid hoists
Adding a small number of fixing points in consistent locations during manufacture could make adaptations quicker, simpler and less expensive to install.
Further evidence and industry feedback
For more quotes, evidence, testing results and design principles, download the full guidance pack.
Testing the concepts with disabled people
Using a custom rig to recreate key parts of the driving environment, we tested concepts for seatbelts, seating, dashboard controls and interface.
The project brings the experiences of disabled drivers and passengers into clearer view, so designers, manufacturers and others working in transport can act on them.
In conclusion
We made disabled people’s lived experiences more visible to industry, helping show how accessibility can be built into mainstream vehicle design, rather than added later through specialist adaptations.
The evidence, design principles and demonstrator concepts give industry practical guidance on how future vehicles could better support disabled people from the outset.
Industry feedback
