Michigan & Ohio Wheelchair Van Grants
Children with Disabilities

The Adoption Medical Subsidy Program, administered by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), provides financial assistance for services and equipment related to a physical, mental, or emotional condition certified by the Adoption and Guardianship Assistance Office (AGAO) for an eligible child placed for adoption. Covered services may include van lifts and other vehicle accessibility modifications when the need is directly related to a certified medical condition.

This program helps adoptive families manage expenses not covered by Medicaid or private insurance, including critical mobility aids that support a child’s independence and integration into family and community life.

Grant Amount:
Up to $5,000 every five years for van lift installations tied to a certified medical condition

Eligibility:

• Adopted children with a certified special need
• Must be approved by the Adoption and Guardianship Assistance Office (AGAO)
• Expenses must relate to a diagnosed condition included in the adoption assistance agreement

Coverage Area:
Michigan – Statewide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

The mission of the Jenna Kast Believe in Miracles Foundation is to enrich the lives of Michigan children facing life-threatening medical conditions by purchasing special gifts and bringing joy, hope, and encouragement to their lives.

In the past, some gift recipients have requested and received funding toward wheelchair accessible vehicle modifications, helping families improve mobility and independence.

Coverage Area: Michigan – County Specific

The Children with Special Needs (CSN) Fund provides financial assistance to Michigan families of children with special health care needs when no other funding source is available. The fund supports the purchase of medical equipment and services that promote health, mobility, and development — enhancing the everyday lives of children and their families. Funding may include:

• Wheelchair accessible van modifications (e.g., ramps, lifts, Turny seats)
• Residential wheelchair ramps
• Residential platform lifts (only when ADA-compliant ramp installation is not possible)
• Ceiling lifts and stair lifts

Grant Amount:

• Vehicle Accessibility Devices: Up to $12,000
• Wheelchair Ramps: Up to $5,500
• Platform Lifts: Up to $10,000
• Ceiling & Stair Lifts: Amount determined by advisory committee

Eligibility:

• Michigan residents under age 21
• Must be enrolled in or eligible for the Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS) program
• The request must be for a need not covered by insurance or other programs

Coverage Area:
Michigan – Statewide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

Easterseals MORC provides personalized services for families of children with developmental disabilities and complex medical or behavioral needs. Through the Children’s Waiver Program, a federal Medicaid waiver, eligible children can receive a wide range of in-home and community-based services.

Available services may include:

• Nursing and dietary services
• Speech and recreational therapies
• Community living supports and respite care
• Durable medical equipment
• Transportation and accessibility adaptations, including home and vehicle modifications

Grant Amount:
Varies based on services approved in the child’s individualized plan

Eligibility:

• Michigan residents under age 18 with developmental disabilities and complex needs
• Must be eligible for public mental health services
• Must choose Easterseals MORC as their service provider
• Requires approval from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)

Coverage Area:
Michigan – County Specific

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

The Emily Ann Griffin Foundation is a Michigan-based non-profit organization dedicated to helping children with special needs across the state reach their full potential. One way the Foundation supports families is by providing funding for essential equipment and life-enhancing experiences.

This assistance can include financial support for wheelchair accessible vehicle modifications, helping families improve mobility and independence for their children.

Coverage Area: Michigan – County Specific

Giving Songs is an all-volunteer charitable organization dedicated to helping families with disabled children who are wheelchair users by providing grants for wheelchair accessible vehicles. Their grant program is focused on families living in select Southeastern Michigan counties.

Coverage Area: Michigan – County Specific

Lori’s Voice is a Michigan-based nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children with disabilities by providing funding for adaptive equipment, medical services, and mobility-related needs. Founded by Lori Hastings, who has spinal muscular atrophy, the organization’s mission is to enrich the lives of children with neuromuscular and degenerative conditions. Lori’s Voice offers financial assistance for:

• Wheelchair accessible van modifications
• Medical and therapeutic equipment
• Educational and recreational resources
• College scholarships for students with disabilities

Grant Amount:
Varies based on need and request

Eligibility:

• Children with disabilities under age 21
• Must be a Michigan resident
• Must have a documented medical need for the requested support

Coverage Area:
Michigan – Statewide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

If MESSA is your family’s health insurance provider, your child may be eligible for MESSA’s Medical Case Management (MCM) program. This program offers personal support from a registered nurse to members dealing with serious illnesses or injuries.

Through the MCM program, MESSA’s nurses work closely with members and their families to:

• Ensure access to the right care at the right time
• Coordinate medical services
• Help members return to their highest possible quality of life

Coverage Area: Michigan – Statewide

Community Fund Ohio provides grants to individuals with disabilities in Ohio. Grant funds must be used for needs related directly to a person's disability or to improve their access to community life. Priority is given to individuals with developmental disabilities, in recognition of the organizations that originally founded Community Fund.

Grant Amount:
Varies based on need and grant type

Eligibility:
Ohio residents with a disability may apply for one of two individual grants:

1. Special Needs Grant with Financial Hardship: For individuals receiving SSI, Medicaid, or an HCBS Waiver
2. Special Needs Grant: For individuals not receiving SSI, Medicaid, or HCBS Waivers

Coverage Area:
Ohio – Statewide

How to Apply:
Applications are reviewed quarterly, with deadlines on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 15.
Learn More and Apply Here

The Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD) offers several Medicaid waiver programs to help individuals with developmental disabilities live safely and independently in the community. These waivers can fund a wide range of supports, including in-home care, day programs, respite services, and home or vehicle modifications when approved as necessary for accessibility.

DODD currently administers three main waivers:

1. Individual Options (IO) Waiver – Offers the most comprehensive support, including modifications to homes and vehicles.
2. Level One Waiver – Provides limited services for individuals with lower support needs.
3. Self-Empowered Life Funding (SELF) Waiver – A self-directed option that allows individuals more control over their services.

Grant Amount:
Benefits and service limits vary by waiver type and individual plan

Eligibility:
Ohio residents with developmental disabilities who meet functional and financial eligibility criteria for Medicaid-funded services. Services must be part of an approved person-centered plan.

Coverage Area:
Ohio – Statewide

How to Apply:
Apply through your local County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Bridge to Mobility is a nonprofit organization committed to helping individuals and families with limited mobility achieve greater independence. They provide grants toward the purchase of wheelchair accessible vehicles for those who cannot otherwise afford an accessible van.

Their mission is to bridge the gap between mobility challenges and access to safe, reliable transportation.

Grant Amount:
Up to $5,000

Eligibility:
Individuals and families demonstrating financial need who require a wheelchair accessible vehicle for improved independence and quality of life.

Coverage Area:
Nationwide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

Chive Charities provides critical grants for individuals with rare medical conditions and life-altering or life-threatening needs, including funding for wheelchair accessible vans.

Grant Amount:
$35,000 average amount, no specified maximum

Eligibility:
Individuals with rare medical conditions and critical needs where insurance and other funding fall short.

Coverage Area:
Nationwide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

Help Hope Live is a national nonprofit organization that assists individuals and families in raising funds for medical expenses related to catastrophic injuries or illnesses. They offer personalized fundraising platforms, event support, outreach resources, and financial management services to ensure funds are used responsibly for medical needs.

Grant Amount:
Fundraising-based

Eligibility:
Individuals and families facing catastrophic medical conditions such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, organ transplant, or other life-altering diagnoses.

Coverage Area:
Nationwide

How to Get Started:
Learn More and Get Started

Tech-Cessibility Program
The Tech-Cessibility Program from Laughing at My Nightmare provides assistive technology equipment and services to individuals with disabilities. The program aims to improve independence, education, employment, and quality of life through access to technology.

Grant Amount:
Up to $5,000

Eligibility:
Individuals with any disability, diagnosis, or chronic illness

Coverage Area:
Nationwide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

No More Nightmares Program
The No More Nightmares Program provides financial assistance for essential medical and disability-related needs not fully covered by insurance. Support may include funding for medical equipment, mobility aids, vehicle modifications, and other critical resources to improve quality of life.

Grant Amount:
$500 - $13,000

Eligibility:
Individuals with neuromuscular diseases facing significant barriers to accessing necessary medical or mobility equipment.

Coverage Area:
Nationwide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

Oracle Health Foundation provides grants to help children under 18 with medical needs not fully covered by insurance. Eligible expenses include durable medical equipment, therapy services, and wheelchair accessible vehicle modifications.

Grant Amount:
Up to $2,500

Eligibility:
Children under 18 with medically necessary needs not covered by insurance.

Coverage Area:
Nationwide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

MagicMobility Vans is a program operated by Special Kids Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting families of children with disabilities. The program provides used wheelchair accessible vans to families who have children with special needs, helping them overcome transportation challenges that often arise when caring for a child with mobility limitations.

The MagicMobility Vans program was created to address the financial burden of acquiring or modifying a van to accommodate a wheelchair or other mobility aids. By offering safe, reliable, and adapted vehicles, the program gives families a crucial tool to improve their independence, access to care, and participation in community life.

To apply, families must:

• Submit an application detailing their child's disability and transportation needs
• Demonstrate financial need and lack of resources to afford an accessible van independently
• Agree to carry car insurance, register the vehicle, and arrange for pickup from the donor

Grant Amount:
Placement of a used wheelchair accessible van (reduced cost or charitable placement)

Eligibility:
Families of children with disabilities who demonstrate financial need and require a wheelchair accessible van.

Coverage Area:
Nationwide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

Team Joseph provides financial assistance to families of children diagnosed with neuromuscular diseases, including Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Their Family Assistance Program helps cover expenses related to mobility needs, medical equipment, therapy services, vehicle modifications, and other necessary medical expenses.

Grant Amount:
Varies based on need

Eligibility:
Families of children diagnosed with neuromuscular diseases (such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy).

Coverage Area:
Nationwide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

The UnitedHealthcare Children’s Foundation (UHCCF) provides timely financial support to families, helping them focus on improving their child's quality of life. UHCCF grants assist with medical expenses that are not covered or not fully covered by a family's commercial health insurance. If eligibility requirements are met, wheelchair-accessible vehicle modifications are among the approved expenses for grant funding.

Grant Amount:
Up to $5,000 per grant, with a lifetime maximum of $10,000 per child across multiple grants

Eligibility:
Children must be 16 years of age or younger at the time of application. Applicants must have a commercial health insurance plan and meet specific income requirements.

Coverage Area:
Nationwide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here

The Let’s Roll Program by Wheelchairs 4 Kids focuses on improving the lives of children with physical disabilities by providing wheelchairs, home and vehicle modifications, and therapeutic equipment. The program serves children with limited mobility resulting from illness, accidents, or abuse.

For vehicle modification assistance, the vehicle must meet specific eligibility criteria. Additionally, the parent or guardian must either own the vehicle or provide a notarized letter from the owner permitting the modification.

Grant Amount:
Varies based on need

Eligibility:
Individuals up to 21 years old with limited mobility due to illness, injury, or abuse. Families must meet program and vehicle ownership criteria.

Coverage Area:
Nationwide

How to Apply:
Learn More and Apply Here