Reham Abuatiq, PhD, and Associate Professor Heather A. Feldner, PT, PhD, PCS, investigated families’ perspectives on the long-term use and impact of modified ride-on cars for children with motor disabilities.
Dr. Abuatiq is a recent graduate of the PhD in Rehabilitation Science program at the UW School of Medicine.
This study builds on more than a decade of research exploring modified ride-on toy cars as an early mobility option for young children with motor disabilities. Children with disabilities benefit from having chances to move independently and explore the world around them. Modified ride-on cars are a low-cost option that can be adapted with simple materials to help children move, explore, and learn.
The study used photovoice methods with 13 families of young children with motor disabilities such as cerebral palsy and developmental delay. Families collaborated as co-researchers by taking photographs that represented their experiences with the cars and describing their meanings. Overall, caregivers view these cars as essential mobility tools for promoting social inclusion, exploration, and future mobility in their children.
They also noted some design and functionality limitations, including environmental concerns raised by our participants, such as challenges with unpaved surfaces like woodchips and grass. The study also recognized how inaccessible many homes are for children who use mobility equipment. Rehabilitation teams should consider these factors when recommending these cars.
Photovoice narratives are a powerful way to capture visually impactful data that is directly linked to improving the participation of children with disabilities and their families. The method itself is less utilized in rehabilitation, but it is a powerful method to drive change in access and participation. The study suggests that adaptive technologies offer a valuable mobility option for children with disabilities. While previous research supports the use of modified ride-on cars, their long-term use and impact on families remain underexplored.
This study appears in the January 2026 edition of Pediatric Physical Therapy.