Steering Wheel Assembly with Covered Light Source

An illumination system for a steering wheel assembly of a vehicle including a housing coupled to a rim of the steering wheel assembly. At least one visible light source is disposed adjacent the housing and emitting visible light through an opening in the housing. A lens is provided covering the opening in the housing such that an inner surface of the lens is disposed adjacent the opening in the housing. A cover material covers the outer surface of the lens and at least a portion of the rim, and includes translucent and/or transparent portions such that the lens is not visible through the cover material. The visible light from the visible light source passes through the transparent and/or translucent portions of the cover material.