Safe Ride: Project Impact Update
Safe Ride - Listening to Lived-Experience, Driving Innovation
At Freedom Solutions Australia, effective innovation starts with listening to and understanding the goals of the individual living with disability. That’s why the Safe Ride project has been shaped by conversations with those who have lived experience—families, carers, and professionals who deal with the daily challenges of transporting individuals with disabilities.
Safe Ride:In-Vehicle Assistive Technology Innovation was funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.
The goal of Safe Ride is to develop assistive technology designs that comply with Australian Safety Standards and effectively address the safety concerns of road users living with disability. This project is not just about creating new products; it is about delivering on the rights of children and adults with disability to safe and secure transportation.
Since the Safe Ride launched on June 2024, we have run a series of discovery workshop in NSW and Victoria. Through the workshops, we heard firsthand about the challenges families face when it comes to safe and practical transport. These sessions were about co-designing solutions that will truly work in real-life situations.
What We Heard
Families told us loud and clear: safety is a huge concern. Parents shared stories of children slipping out of harnesses, undoing seatbelts mid-drive, or struggling with car seats that just don’t provide enough support. Many said they had to mix and match products to create makeshift solutions—none of which felt completely safe or practical. A carer stated, “I can’t risk going on long trips because my child escapes from the seat and I have to pull over constantly.”
Carers also talked about how physically demanding it is to lift and secure older children or adults into seats that aren’t designed for easy transfers. They asked for simple, quick-adjust features and things like swivel bases to reduce strain. A carer reflected, “I have to lift my child into the car seat every day, and it’s taken a serious toll on my back and shoulders.”
Comfort and varied sensory needs were raised frequently. Some children can’t tolerate stiff or tight straps, while others were not comfortable without a securely fitting harness. Many parents said they just want car seats that are comfortable enough for long trips without compromising safety. One carer commented, “The straps on most car seats are either too tight, which upsets my child, or too loose, which makes them unsafe.”
Finally, families expressed frustration that existing products fail to meet both Australian safety standards and the practical realities of daily transport. Right now, families are forced to work around the system rather than having access to equipment that genuinely suits them. A carer said, “My child has outgrown the 5-point harness, but a booster seat just doesn’t provide the same level of safety or support.”
What’s Next for Safe Ride?
We’re taking everything we’ve learned and using it to shape the next stage of Safe Ride. That means:
- Design safer, more secure equipment options that prevent escape while ensuring comfort.
- Developing practical, affordable solutions that meet safety standards.
- Reducing challenges for carers by designing transport solutions that are user-friendly and work for everyday life.
Safe Ride isn’t just about innovating product designs—it’s about making sure every family has access to transport solutions that keep their loved ones safe and comfortable. We’re committed to working with families and individuals to provide great assistive technology options.
Join the Safe Ride!
Have you ever experienced the challenge of a child escaping their seatbelt while you were driving?
Are you interested in contributing your skills and knowledge to developing innovative solutions for safe travels?
Join the Safe Ride project! For more information, visit Safe Ride Page.