DRIVER REHABILITATION
Assistive Technology Solutions Driver Rehabilitation Program evaluates driving competence and provides instruction to help people return to safe driving. The program consists of a series of clinical tests that determine whether a person has the physical, visual and cognitive abilities to drive safely. The client drives a specially equipped vehicle with a passenger side training brake and other adaptive equipment as needed. This may include items such as hand controls, steering aids, left foot accelerator, turn signal crossover and pedal extenders.
Please visit our driver rehabilitation website at Northwest Driver Rehab for more details about this program.
Who is Eligible?
The Driving Rehabilitation Program evaluates persons to determine their ability to return to safe driving with disabilities such as:
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Amputation
- Head Injury
- Vision Impairment
- Stroke
- Arthritis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Developmental Delay
Driver Evaluation
The evaluation is initiated by a physician, funding agency or by self referral. This phase provides an objective assessment of the individual’s potential to become a safe, independent driver. Functional abilities tested include:
- Physical Skills
- Visual Function
- Visual Perceptual Skills
- Cognitive Skills
- Reaction Time Testing
Once the evaluation is completed, detailed recommendations are sent to the client, referring physician and Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor to implement a plan.
Driver Rehabilitation
After the driver evaluation, the rehabilitation phase isolates specific driver impairment and provides a program to compensate for the disability. All programs are individualized to meet the specific needs of each client. Remediation or compensation strategies are used in conjunction with assistive technology to improve the client’s ability to drive a vehicle safely.
Vehicle Modification Consultation
The VMC identifies appropriate adaptive driving devices for safe independent driving. The resulting report gives the client and referral source a bid-ready document that can be used for vehicle conversion.
Vehicle Modification Aftercheck
This service is used to provide assurances that the recommended equipment was installed appropriately and the client is able to independently use all intended functions and controls.