Evaluation & Training of the Low Vision and Bioptic Driver for the experienced OT Driver Rehabilitation Specialist 

 2009 dates to be announced! Let us know if you are interested in this course.

                     July 13-15, 2007 

                     Orlando, Fl

Limited Registration to only 12! Sign up now!

Registration fee: $600.00   

How to register:  Print out a register form from our website (www.adaptivemobility.com) home page, complete and mail the form with the registration fee to the address on the form. We will send you a confirmation of your registration in the mail with hotel information. The 2007 course will be held at Adaptive Mobility Services's office near Downtown Orlando. You will be responsible for your transportation to and from our office each day so we suggest that you stay at one the hotels near our office. We will provide these facilities' names and contact information once we have confirmed your registration. The hotel rate for various hotels near our office would range from $109-140.00.  

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

The global objective of this course is to provide experienced driver rehabilitation therapists advanced knowledge and skill in the unique sun-specialty field of bioptic driver evaluation and training. Following this course each participant should be able to identify:

·      low vision diagnoses typically considered appropriate for bioptic lens.

·      major structures of the vision system related to vision impairment.

·      components and principles of bioptic telescopes and training methods.

·      common terminology specific to the field of bioptic driving.

·      functional driving impairment typically seen with bioptic drivers.

·      the members of the bioptic team and their individual roles.

·      components of an bioptic driving evaluation.

·      specific tools and techniques used in the specialized clinical evaluation.

·      the appropriate skill prioritization in bioptic driver education/training.

·      key training strategies for in-vehicle work to facilitate skill development.

·      proper use of bioptic lens through “hands-on” practice.

·      individual state guidelines for bioptic driving in the United States.

·      documentation guidelines.

·      appropriate national resources and professional agencies.

COURSE INSTRUCTORS:

MARY ELLEN KEITH, COTA, CDRS

Mary Ellen Keith is the Lead Driver Rehabilitation Specialist at Easter Seals Crossroads Rehabilitation Center. Since 2000 she has re-organized and re-structured their driver evaluation program including developing the bioptic driver training section. She is certified by the state of Indiana to teach driving to low vision clients using a bioptic telescope. She has quickly earned the respect and reputation of being an expert in the field of OT bioptic driver training with other therapists, eye care specialists, vocational rehabilitation agencies and consumers. She has assisted in the training and certification of other therapists from Indiana and other states to become bioptic instructors. 

Mary Ellen received a bachelor degree in counseling from North Milwaukee Christian College in 1993. She worked as a counselor at Milwaukee Counseling Clinic from 1993-1995. During this time she performed testing for Temperament Analysis which skills and knowledge she currently finds helpful in developing rapport with her clients during driver evaluation and training. She received an Associate Degree in Applied Science and the certification as an occupational therapy assistant in 2000. She worked at St. Frances Hospital for one year PRN during 2000 in the acute care and rehabilitation units. 

She has been a member of the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) since 2000 and currently is the vice president of the ADED Midwest chapter. She has been a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) since 2000. She has presented at their past conferences and has been an invited speaker to the First and Second Annual Driving Symposium for Occupational Therapists sponsored by AOTA in collaboration with Adaptive Mobility Services, Inc. She became an in-vehicle instructor for Adaptive Mobility Services’ workshop entitled Take the Wheel: A Driver Education Course for the Therapist in 2006. She has spoken to many professional, OT students and consumer audiences on the topic of occupational therapy and driver rehabilitation, low vision and driving.

EVA M. RICHARDVILLE, OTR, CDRS

Eva Richardville graduated from Indiana University with a BS Degree in occupational therapy in 1998. She has experience in acute care and outpatient rehabilitation settings in Indiana. She has specialized in driver rehabilitation & low vision during the last seven years.  In 2003 she founded and is CEO of Therapeutic Mobility Services Inc., a community-based O.T. private practice in Indiana specializing in driver rehabilitation and community mobility.

Eva is an active member of AOTA, NMEDA and the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED). She has served as President of the Midwest chapter for the past two years. In 2003 Eva became one of eight driver rehabilitation specialist in Indiana who are credentialed by Bureau of Motor Vehicles to provide bioptic evaluation and training for the visually impaired. She achieved Certified Driver Rehab Specialist (CDRS) credentialing by ADED in 2004. She has presented regionally on the topics of OT in low vision and driver rehabilitation over the past 6 years. She was an invited speaker at the First Annual Driving Symposium for Occupational Therapists in 2004 sponsored by the American Occupational therapy Association in collaboration with Adaptive Mobility Services, Inc.

MIRIAM WATSON MONAHAN, MS, OTR, CDRS, DSI

Miriam Watson Monahan received her M.S. in occupational therapy from Springfield College.  She is a CDRS and a Licensed Driver Instructor. She ran a driver rehabilitation program for New England Medical Systems in Essex Jct., Vermont, and is currently heading up the Driver Rehabilitation Program at Fletcher Allen Health Care Center in Vermont. She lectures extensively on the topic of driver rehabilitation, both locally and nationally to medical professionals, law enforcement, National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) committees and others.  She co-authored with Barbara Winters the chapter on Driving and Community Mobility in Marybeth Early’s 2005  Edition of Physical Disability for the Occupational Therapy Assistant.