Building Blocks for Becoming a Driver Rehabilitation Therapist

SEMINAR DESCRIPTION

Building Blocks for Becoming a Driver Rehabilitation Therapist iis geared toward the therapist with little or no experience in driver rehabilitation who desires to transition into the role of the driver rehabilitation therapist or specialist.  The information shared will be geared toward a car evaluation program only although all age and disablity groups will be discussed.  This workshop has been presented for over 27 years and has proven to be helpful to many therapists transitioning into the role of the specialist in driving and community mobility. This comprehensive course coupled with the Take the Wheel Course will give you all of the information needed to start or update a program and perform in the role as a driver rehabilitation therapist for the clinical assessment and in-traffic assessment. 

Day One of Building Blocks will focus on many issues to consider in the development of a driving program including the initial research and data collection for the development of a new or updated driving program. Budget and cost requirements will be detailed.  Day One defines the role of the OT driver rehabilitation specialist within the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework and other industry Frames of Reference so a successful and viable program can be developed. Day One explores the occupation of driving and emphasizes the importance of using the occupational therapy process to conduct a thorough, medically-oriented evaluation of an individual’s driving performance skills, contextual factors and development of an occupational profile. 

lSEMINAR OBJECTIVES

Each participant should be able to identify:

• The fundamentals for establishing a driver rehabilitation program.
• The occupational therapy practice framework around the occupation of driving.
• Common terminology special to the field of driver rehabilitation.
• Members of the mobility team and their individual roles.
• Issues and resources for individual state driver licensing and reporting.
• National resources and related professional organizations.
• The component performance skills involved in driving and how to assess deficit areas that may impair driving performance.
• Wheelchair/scooter requirements for vehicle interface.
• Adaptive equipment available for cars and be familiar with adjustment capabilities to fit individual needs.
• An appropriate evaluation car for a driving program including adaptive and instructor equipment.
• Evaluation techniques and tools for the clinical assessment steps of the driving evaluation.
• The purpose and components of a mobility prescription.
• Documentation guidelines.
• Driving considerations for specific age and disability groups.
• A plan of action for starting a new program or updating an existing program as well as working as a driver rehabilitation specialist.

Each participant should understand:

• Various frames of reference for a driver rehabilitation service.
• How to develop the occupational profile within the context of driving.
• The purpose and important components of the in-traffic assessment.
• The role of the mobility equipment dealer and how to establish a working relationship with them.
• Critical reasoning for selection of assessment tools and strategies pertaining to an individual.
• The process for the analysis of occupational performance for driving.
• All steps of a comprehensive driving evaluation.
• Vehicle differences and make recommendations on vehicle purchasing to meet individual needs.
• Liability considerations for a driving program and how to be proactive in risk management.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Day One
8:00  Registration
         Frames of Reference
         Foundation for a driving program
             Start-Up considerations
             Research and Development
             Cost and Staffing Requirements
             Billing and Reimbursement
             Policy and Procedures
          Personal Make-Up of a Driver Rehabilitation Therapist
          A Road Map for Transitioning into the Specialist Role   
11:30 Lunch
12:30 Practice Framework Around the Occupation of Driving
          The Driving Evaluation Process
           Developing the Occupational Profile

Day Two
8:00  Analysis of Occupational Performance of Driving
          Selection of Assessment Tools
11:30 Lunch
12:30 Evaluation of Visual Performance Skills for Driving
           Group breakouts
           Case Studies

Day Three
8:00  Wheelchair/Mobility Assessment
          Vehicle Assessment
           In-Traffic Assessment
           Assistive Technology for Driving
12:00  Lunch
1:00   Assistive Technology for Driving (continued)
           Prescription writing guidelines
           Mobility Equipment Dealers

Day Four
8:00  Legal Considerations for a Driving Program
          Risk Management Strategies
          Analyzing Performance Skills (client factors, context & activity
                demands
12:00 Lunch
1:00   Final Vehicle Inspection and Fitting 

Day Five
8:00  Case Studies
          Evaluation of "real clients"
12:00 Lunch
1:00   Group Breakouts
2:30   Wrap-Up and Final thoughts
           Questions and Answers 

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Ending times each day are around 4:30-5:00 p.m. with the exception of the ending time for the last day of this course which is approximately 2:30 p.m.  You will receive information on the hotel where this course is held in a confirmation letter after we are in receipt of your registration fee, completed registration form and a copy of your professional license.

The 2008 dates are planned at a Clarion Hotel Universal near International Drive in Orlando and we have a block of rooms reserved for $79.00 plus tax per night.  You will receive specific hotel information when your registration is confirmed. There is no registration limit for this course.