Request for Proposals: Accessible Vehicle Funding Program (Canada)

Deadline: 20-Jul-2026

The Accessible Vehicle Funding Program provides financial assistance to eligible residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to modify personal vehicles for accessibility. The program helps remove transportation barriers by covering the cost of vehicle retrofits and accessibility equipment, with grants of up to CAD 50,000.

Funding supports a wide range of accessibility modifications, including wheelchair lifts, ramps, customized seating, hand controls, vehicle alterations, installation costs, and eligible maintenance. Assistance is generally available once every five years, subject to program requirements.

What is the Accessible Vehicle Funding Program?

The Accessible Vehicle Funding Program helps individuals and families in Newfoundland and Labrador improve access to safe and independent transportation.

The program provides financial support to modify personal vehicles so they better meet the accessibility needs of people with disabilities or mobility challenges.

Its primary goal is to reduce the financial burden associated with adapting vehicles for accessible transportation.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

• Improve access to accessible transportation.
• Remove financial barriers to vehicle accessibility.
• Support greater independence and mobility.
• Assist individuals and families with vehicle modification costs.
• Improve quality of life through accessible transportation solutions.

Funding Amount

Eligible applicants may receive a grant of up to CAD 50,000.

Funding is based on:

• The cost of a new vehicle retrofit, or
• The current value of an existing retrofit,

up to a maximum contribution of CAD 50,000.

What Can the Grant Fund?

The program supports a variety of accessibility modifications for personal vehicles.

Eligible expenses may include:

• Customized seating
• Hand controls
• Left-foot gas pedals
• Vehicle lifts
• Wheelchair ramps
• Roof modifications
• Floor modifications
• Door modifications
• Steering devices
• Wheelchair securement systems
• Shipping costs
• Installation costs
• Maintenance of accessibility equipment that is no longer under warranty

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must:

• Be residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Apply for accessibility modifications to one personal vehicle per household.
• Meet all program eligibility requirements.
• Not be eligible for, or have already received, funding for the same purpose through another government grant or program.

Vehicle Eligibility

The program supports one personal vehicle per household.

Vehicles may be:

• Newly purchased and modified, or
• Existing vehicles that require accessibility retrofits.

Eligible vehicles may be purchased or modified either inside or outside Newfoundland and Labrador.

Funding Frequency

Funding is generally available once every five years.

Exceptions may be considered on an individual basis where justified.

Key Accessibility Modifications Explained

Vehicle Retrofit

A vehicle retrofit involves modifying a standard vehicle to improve accessibility for a person with mobility or physical support needs.

Hand Controls

Hand controls allow drivers to operate vehicle acceleration and braking using their hands instead of foot pedals.

Wheelchair Lift or Ramp

Lifts and ramps provide easier entry and exit for wheelchair users by improving vehicle accessibility.

Wheelchair Securement Systems

These systems safely secure a wheelchair inside the vehicle during travel.

Customized Seating

Customized seating improves comfort, positioning, and safety based on an individual’s accessibility needs.

Why This Program Matters

Accessible transportation is essential for education, employment, healthcare, social participation, and independent living.

Vehicle modification costs can be significant, making accessibility difficult for many families.

This program helps reduce those costs while improving mobility, independence, and community participation for eligible residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.

How the Program Works

Applicants apply for funding to modify one personal vehicle.

Approved funding helps cover eligible accessibility modifications and related installation costs.

Funding is calculated based on the eligible retrofit costs, up to the program maximum.

How to Apply

Applicants should prepare their application carefully before requesting funding.

Suggested Steps

1. Confirm that you are a resident of Newfoundland and Labrador.
2. Determine the accessibility modifications required for your vehicle.
3. Obtain estimates or documentation for the retrofit costs.
4. Confirm that you have not received another government grant for the same purpose.
5. Ensure only one household vehicle is included in the application.
6. Prepare all required supporting documentation.
7. Submit your application according to the program requirements.
8. Wait for funding approval before proceeding where required by the program.

Eligible Costs

Funding may support:

• Accessibility equipment
• Vehicle modification costs
• Installation
• Shipping
• Maintenance of eligible equipment that is no longer under warranty

Ineligible Situations

Applicants may not qualify if:

• They have already received funding for the same purpose through another government program.
• They are eligible for another government grant covering the same modifications.
• More than one household vehicle is proposed for funding.
• The application does not meet residency or program requirements.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly explain the accessibility needs.
• Obtain accurate retrofit cost estimates.
• Ensure all requested modifications are directly related to accessibility.
• Verify that no duplicate government funding is being received.
• Include complete supporting documentation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid the following:

• Applying for more than one household vehicle.
• Requesting duplicate funding from multiple government programs.
• Submitting incomplete documentation.
• Assuming funding is automatically available before approval.
• Forgetting that funding is generally available only once every five years.

FAQ

Who can apply?

Residents of Newfoundland and Labrador who meet the program requirements.

How much funding is available?

Eligible applicants may receive up to CAD 50,000.

What accessibility modifications are covered?

The program may support customized seating, hand controls, ramps, lifts, steering devices, wheelchair securement systems, vehicle alterations, shipping, installation, and eligible maintenance.

Can vehicles be modified outside Newfoundland and Labrador?

Yes. Vehicles funded through the program may be purchased or retrofitted either inside or outside the province.

How often can I receive funding?

Funding is generally available once every five years, although exceptions may be considered individually.

Can I receive funding from another government program for the same vehicle modification?

No. Applicants must not be eligible for or have received government funding for the same purpose through another grant or program.

How many vehicles can a household receive funding for?

The program supports accessibility modifications for one personal vehicle per household.

Conclusion

The Accessible Vehicle Funding Program helps eligible residents of Newfoundland and Labrador improve mobility and independence by reducing the cost of accessible vehicle modifications. With grants of up to CAD 50,000, the program supports practical accessibility solutions that make transportation safer and more inclusive.

Strong applications will clearly demonstrate eligibility, include appropriate documentation, and request funding only for eligible accessibility modifications that meet the program requirements.

For more information, visit Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.