Background: Road vehicle transportation is essential to support community access and participation for all children. However, little is known about the transport patterns of children with disabilities and medical conditions and their caregivers' experiences supporting them to be transported safely in road vehicles in Australia.
Aim: To understand the transport needs of children with disabilities and medical conditions and the transport needs of their caregivers.
Materials and methods: A large-scale national survey was undertaken online to explore the experiences and perspectives of 193 caregivers, identifying the challenges and needs associated with providing and supporting safe road transportation for their children.
Results: Caregivers believed their child was missing out on participating in everyday life due to their transportation needs, with caregivers experiencing multiple challenges and barriers to transporting their child safely.
Conclusions and significance: There is a need to provide knowledge and support to caregivers who are primarily responsible for the safe transportation of their children with disabilities and medical conditions.
Keywords: Special needs; additional needs; child restraint; disability; mobility; transport.