Vehicles that qualify for financial assistance under the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec program are as follows:

• automobiles;
• vans or minivans.

These qualify only if you cannot get into, out of or drive a motor vehicle.

Ref. Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/)

Only one vehicle may be adapted, whether you are the owner or long-term lessee or user of a vehicle belonging to a person living with you (spouse, close relative or a natural or foster family member).

Whether new, used or previously adapted, the expected service life of the vehicle chosen must be at least five years.

Ref. Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/)

During the initial five-year period following adaptation of a vehicle, you cannot qualify for assistance for the purchase of new equipment or to adapt a new vehicle unless this is necessary to meet needs resulting from a changed health condition.

After the initial five years, you may qualify for assistance towards the adaptation of a new vehicle.

Ref. Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/)

Vehicles that have undergone modifications to a mechanism that might reduce their stability or braking capacity must be inspected by an agent accredited by the Société.

Ref. Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/)

Ref. Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca/)

1. Submit the “Application for Assistance toward Vehicle Adaptation” form along with a physician’s attestation in the return envelope provided for your convenience.
   
   For assistance with your application, please call the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec at the following toll-free number: 1 (800) 525-7719.
   
   
2. You must have an occupational therapist fill out a report, at your expense, assessing the functional limitations that prevent you from using a motor vehicle as a driver or as a passenger and recommending the appropriate vehicle modifications. Ensure the assessment report is sent to the Société.
   
   
3. Depending on the extent of work required, the Société will ask you to obtain one or two bids from suppliers of your choice who specialize in vehicle adaptation.
   
   N.B. The occupational therapist’s report and the bid(s) from suppliers specialized in vehicle adaptation must be sent to the Société by fax at (418) 643-3346 or by mail to:
   
   Service du programme d’adaptation de Véhicules
   Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec
   C.P. 19 600, Succursale Terminus
   Québec (Québec) G1K 8J6
   
   
4. If you hold a driver’s licence, you must also send a copy of the occupational therapist’s functional report to the SAAQ’s medical assessment service to make sure your licence authorizes you to drive a vehicle with the equipment in question, as this could require a change to the licence class or restrictions.
   
   The awarding of financial assistance is conditional on this step.
   
   Send a copy of the occupational therapist’s report to:
   
   Service de l’évaluation médicale
   Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec
   C.P. 19 500, Succursale Terminus
   Québec (Québec) G1K 8J5
   
   
5. The Société will confirm in writing the maximum amount of financial assistance for which you qualify.
   
   
6. Present the letter awarding you financial assistance to the supplier of your choice, who will perform the work required. Ref. Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca)
   
   Van-Action is a supplier recognized by the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec and is a member of the U.S. National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA).

Centres do exist that specialize in driving aid evaluations, notably the Centre de réadaptation Lucie-Bruneau (http://www.luciebruneau.qc.ca) and the Constance Lethbridge Rehabilitation Centre (http://www.clethbridge.qc.ca/).

DailmerChrysler, Ford and GM offer financial assistance programs for the conversion of vehicles to allow mobility-impaired persons greater movement. Please consult directly with the manufacturers for more information on their programs.

Adapted vehicles must adhere to the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) in Canada and the Federal Motor Vehicles Safety Standards (FMVSS) in the U.S.

All vehicles adapted by Van-Action adhere to both the Canadian and American safety standards – the highest in North America. Van-Action holds the National Safety Mark #R93.

In addition, Van-Action is a member of the American organization the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA).

Van-Action uses a number of techniques to increase vehicle accessibility, including a lowered floor and access ramp for the driver or passenger and raised roof and doors with a wheelchair platform lift. A variety of wheelchair anchor points can be positioned at the front, centre or rear of the vehicle.

Van-Action also installs a wide range of manual controls and leading-edge components, such as motorized headrests, smaller steering wheels, and voice recognition systems, to accommodate passengers and drivers. In an ongoing effort to serve the specific needs of users, Van-Action relocates all types of auto accessories.

Our production line can be seen at any time, as can our demonstration vehicles. Simply contact a Van-Action representative at (514) 342-5000 or 1-800-668-8705 (toll-free) to make an appointment.  

Depending on your physical condition and the equipment you require, a number of options are available to you, which is why it is important that an occupational therapist assess your specific needs.

Following the occupational therapist’s assessment, Van-Action will present you with a variety of solutions adapted to your needs. In addition to offering many accessibility accessories, Van-Action has the widest selection of lowered floor minivans on the market. We adapt DailmerChrysler, Ford and GM products.

Van-Action is committed to guiding you through the entire conversion process for your vehicle or that of your client. We can also help you assess the conversion and vehicle that’s right for you, and we offer a number of demonstration vehicles to allow you to conduct a physical test of our adapted vehicles.

Van-Action owns a driving school vehicle that allows you to conduct an assessment and road test. To use this vehicle, simply arrange a meeting between your occupational therapist, driving instructor, Van-Action and yourself.

We will guide you through the entire conversion process, and we are committed to remaining available once the conversion is complete.

Van-Action is supported by an extensive network of dealers across Canada and the United States who act as service outlets when you travel. Please consult the "Dealers” section of this Web site to locate the dealer nearest to you.

In addition, Van-Action provides you with an emergency help line seven days a week. Our hot line telephone number is (514) 915-5002. We also offer a vehicle pick-up service if required.