Under the leadership of Dr. Sherrilene Classen and Dr. Sandra Winter, and in collaboration with the University of Florida T-2 center, the Department of Occupational Therapy has received a Florida Department of Transportation grant to develop a computer based-training (CBT) program for teens.
The Institute for Mobility, Activity, and Participation delivered an eight-hour pre-conference workshop at ADED. Additionally, Dr. Classen received ADED's Scholarship Award for her outstanding scientific and leadership contributions to the field.
This course starts by providing a background of crash statistics for the U.S. and introduces the concept of crash risk and crash risk reduction. Next, we provide an overview of terminology that is used in the driving literature, specifically related to driving outcomes. The audience is further exposed to a breadth of evidence-based methods and tools to help assess an individual’s fitness to drive. These assessments include the Comprehensive Driving Evaluation, which can be subdivided into clinical assessments, driving simulator assessments, and the on-road assessment. Dr. Classen is synopsizing the factual content in this course from almost two decades of exposure to empirical evidence and best practices –all packaged to enable clinicians to practice from an evidence-based perspective.
The Department of Occupational Therapy’s Institute for Mobility, Activity, and Participation (I-MAP) team is working in collaboration with the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the City of Gainesville to better understand the perception, values, beliefs and attitudes of drivers 65 years and older as it relates to emerging autonomous vehicle technology.
The Department of Occupational Therapy welcomes Dr. Amber Angell, research assistant professor, and Dr. Justin Mason, postdoctoral associate.
In the state of Florida, nearly 20 percent of the population is age 65 or older. For many, progression in age can mean regression in driving ability. But a new service offered by the University of Florida College of Public Health and Health Professions’ department of occupational therapy aims to give seniors and others a chance to improve their skills behind the wheel.
The Department of Occupational Therapy hosted the third annual Sandra Edwards Colloquium on January 26, 2019. The keynote speaker was Anita C. Bundy, ScD, OT/L, FAOTA, FOTARA.
The Fitness to Drive Screening Measure (FTDS) is a web-based questionnaire for screening senior drivers who are potentially at-risk. The FTDS is completed by a family member or caregiver of the senior driver. The results of the FTDS provide recommendations for the next steps as well as resources. However, occupational therapists who are generalists or specialists in driving rehabilitation can also use the results of the FTDS to better manage their clients' plan of care. This presentation will provide participants with an overview of the FTDS development and application. Through case studies, participants will learn how to analyze the FTDS results with clinical findings to inform their decisions about whether an on-road assessment is necessary. Participants will also learn how to use the FTDS key form results to complement the on-road assessment and as such provide a more comprehensive treatment plan and recommendations.
Occupational therapists and other healthcare professionals play an important role in helping seniors adjust to driving cessation and use of alternative transportation. This presentation provides foundational knowledge about driving and the use of alternative transportation among seniors in North America. Participants will learn about assessment and intervention tools that can be used to assist seniors transitioning to alternative transportation. Through the presentation and observation of a role play, participants will learn about key strategies to use when having these potentially challenging conversations with seniors.
This course is designed for the healthcare professional who has experience in driving rehabilitation and is considering starting a private practice. The presenter provides an overview of information that needs to be gathered in order to make an informed decision about pursuing private practice. Participants will learn about business tools and strategies to guide their decision. In addition, the course includes a spreadsheet to create a financial plan for a driving rehabilitation practice.
