Steering your Clients in the Right Direction
Instructors: Susan Pierce, OTR/L, CDRS, Carol Blackburn, OTR/L, CDRS and one resource OT from the area

SEMINAR DESCRIPTION

The purpose of this seminar is to promote driving as an IADL in all OT settings and to equip OT practitioners with the knowledge and confidence to address driving issues at varying levels for all clients. All persons with a disability should have access to the opportunity for pursuing the goal of independent driving or transportation. The demand is great across international boundaries but the supply of appropriate health care professionals equipped to meet the need is limited. National organizations such as AOTA, National Highway Traffic Safety Association, Department of Driver Licensing, American Society on Aging, AARP, and the American Medical Association are beginning to recognize the effectiveness of using occupational therapists to address driving issues for people with disabilities.

As a person advances through developmental stages or through a rehabilitation process, community mobility becomes important in pursuing goals of independent living, employment and psychological well-being. Independent community mobility depends upon achieving driving or transportation goals. Driving is a complex IADL and must be treated with competence because of the importance and liability associated with the issue. To address the issue more extensively and satisfactorily, it is necessary to get OT, PT, and ST practitioners involved in addressing driving/transportation issues in all settings as it applies to each discipline. There are varying levels of knowledge and skill required to address the issue. By delineating three levels of responsibility with differing skill and expertise, the therapist can chose the level that is appropriate for his or her work setting and job description. Adaptive Mobility Services, Inc. suggests the following three levels: 1) Resource Therapist 2) Screening and Referral Therapist 3) Driver Rehabilitation Therapist. This seminar will address issues related to level 1 and level 2 which is information that all OT Generalist should know and be doing.

UPCOMING DATES:
There are no 2007 or 2008 dates planned for this workshop. If you would like this workshop planned in your area, please contact us. 

SEMINAR OBJECTIVES

At the completion of this seminar, participants will:

1. Define driving as an IADL and integrate it into individual practice settings.
2. Identify performance components within the driving task.
3. Define three levels of expertise for OT, PT, ST practitioners to address driving issues.
4. Recognize responsibility for addressing driving/transportation within a personal work setting.
5. Outline relevant policies and procedures.
6. Be familiar with methods for assessment, treatment, consultation, education and referral.
7. Be familiar with local, state and national resources.
8. Be familiar with driver licensure/renewal/reporting laws.
9. Understand communication needed for client/family education.
10. Be familiar with funding issues and billing strategies for third party payers.
11. Recognize how to minimize liability exposure.
    

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Certificate of Attendance
A certificate of attendance for 7 contact hours or .7 CEUs will be given upon completion of the entire seminar.

No on-site registration. NO CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED. No refunds will be given for this course.
Cost: $TBA.
Location: Various locations around the U.S.