|
Driving Assessments
"Confidence replaces worry when you get a safe driving assessment!"
ADED-Association of Driver Rehabilitation
Specialists recommends that every person get evaluated
for adapted driving and that adaptations and modifications
are recommended individually. A
person undergoing driving rehabilitation will actually receive
a prescription for vehicle modifications, just as one
is prescribed a leg brace by a sports medicine doctor, or
oral medication from an internist.
Having a driving assessment is strongly advised for anyone
about to begin driving with a disability who's
|
|
never driven
before or never driven since a disability occurred and/or
|
|
|
ambivalent about
his or her physical ability regarding maneuvering a vehicle,
seeing, or reacting quickly to other vehicles, and/or
|
|
|
overall physical
ability has changed following an accident or progression
of disease or illness. |
Sometimes a driver must be re-evaluated
when he or she is elderly following a change in perception
or other physical ability such as vision. It's not only
a suggestion to have a driving assessment in these cases,
but absolutely imperative in order to ensure personal
safety for all drivers on the road. Becoming road-ready involves
preparing both the driver and vehicle.
A driving rehabilitation program will arm a driver with whatever
training is needed, if any, as well as any prescriptions needed
for vehicle modification. This gives a driver confidence that
he or she will be driving safely, and therefore, free to hit
the road!
Here is What to Expect from a Driving
Assessment
| 1.
|
First, a qualified
driver rehabilitation specialist (in a driver rehabilitation
program) will make a clinical evaluation of physical functioning,
perform a visual, perceptive and cognitive screening,
and where applicable, conduct a wheelchair and seating
assessment. |
| 2.
|
Then, depending
on ability, an on-the-road driving evaluation is performed,
using adaptive equipment when appropriate. |
| 3.
|
Based on demonstrated
driving performance, a prescription for vehicle modification
is written, which includes a description of the vehicle
and any mobility aid (wheelchair or scooter) used. |
| 4.
|
Drivers education
will include sufficient practice and training to enable
the driver to operate a motor vehicle with newly prescribed
equipment (if any), at a level meeting the need for a
driver's license. |
| 5.
|
Finally a total
fitting and operational assessment is performed in the
modified vehicle. |
Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED)
http://www.driver-ed.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=1
To find a driver's rehabilitation evaluation specialist near you
phone (828) 855-1623, (866) 672-9466 toll free, fax: (828) 855-1672.
Or, see your local directory for a rehabilitation center near you that
offers driver rehabilitation.
Fact Sheets on Driving with a Disability
http://www.driver-ed.org/public/articles/index.cfm?cat=2
from the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Community Inclusion Driver Strategy
- Assisting People with Disabilities Living in Rural Areas
in Finding Personal Transportation
from Easter Seals Project ACTION. Available in PDF, MSWord,
or text file.
http://www.projectaction.org/newdlist/cat7docs.htm
Illinois
Marion Joy Rehabilitation Hospital
Driving Rehabilitation Division
26 W. 171 Roosevelt Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
Phone: (630) 462-4000
Rehabilitation Institute of
Chicago
Driving Evaluation
345 E. Superior St., Rm. 1072
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone:
(312) 908-6277
Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital
and Care Network
Rehabilitation Technology, Driving Eval.
1401 S. California Ave.
Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: (773)
522-2010
Bryn Mawr Rehab Adapted Driving
Program
414 Paoli Pike, P. O. Box 3007
Malvern, PA 19355-3300
Phone: (610) 251-5503
National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA)
3327 West Bears Ave.
Tampa, FL 33618
800-833-0427
813-264-2697
http://www.nmeda.org
Phone:
(800) 833-0427
www.nmeda.org
NMEDA provides guidelines and regulations for
vehicle modifications and equipment vendors.
NMEDA also holds annual conferences.
RESNA
Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology
Society of North America
1700 N. Moore St., Suite 1540
Arlington, VA 22209-1903
Phone: (703) 524-6686
Fax: (703) 524-6630
www.resna.org
For driving rehabilitation resources.
Americans with Disabilities Act-Paratransit Eligibility
www.bts.gov/smart/cat/manual.html
For those for whom driving is not an option, this site lists
information on paratransit eligibility provided by the ADA.
Privileges on public transportation systems include half fare
for persons with disabilities.
|
