Instructor
Sherrilene Classen PhD
Sherrilene Classen, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA, FGSA is Professor and Chair, Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Florida (UF). Dr. Classen, an academic leader, is an internationally funded prevention-oriented rehabilitation scientist with expertise in fitness-to-drive issues in at-risk drivers through the lifespan with content expertise in clinical assessments, driving simulators, on-road assessments, and autonomous vehicles. She has established SmartDriverTM (2017), a clinical driver rehabilitation program at UF, and developed the 14-credit Post-Professional Certificate in Driver Rehabilitation Therapy—with UF being the sole university in the U.S. teaching this program. Dr. Classen applies a public health, rehabilitation science, and clinical perspective to illuminate the depth and breadth of driver rehabilitation as a specialty area. Since 2002, she has received competitive external funding (totaling >$11 million) from U.S. federal agencies, industry, foundations, state departments, and international agencies. She has (co)authored over 220 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and special journal issues; is the editor of a handbook on driving simulation; and has presented 336 papers at scientific conferences. Dr. Classen is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Gerontological Society of America, an inductee of the American Occupational Therapy Foundation’s Academy of Research, and Chair of the National Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Research Committee (2022-2024).
In this course, the author provides an overview of the current crash statistics in the USA, an introduction to autonomous vehicles (AV), including the levels of AV, how driving as an occupation may be affected/changed by AV, the pros and the cons of AV, a timeline for AV, as well as a discussion on the vulnerable road users and how they may benefit from AV. The presentation highlights that we are facing the greatest transportation revolution of the century and invite health care professionals to consider the opportunities of AV technology for mobility-disadvantaged people.
Target Audience
This course is well-suited for occupational therapists and transportation professionals who are interested in an introduction to autonomous vehicles and how it may benefit vulnerable populations.
Educational Level
Intermediate: Information is geared to practitioners with a general working knowledge of rehabilitation and service delivery. Focus is on a basic understanding and application of the subject matter.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- Recognize that this country is undergoing a transportation revolution.
- Define the levels of autonomous vehicles (AV).
- Describe the crash and safety statistics pertaining to the USA.
- Describe the characteristics of AV levels 0-5.
- Identify and differentiate the varying roles associated with being a “driver” for levels 0-5 of AV.
- Detail the pros and cons associated with AV.
- Summarize the timeline associated with the roll out of AV.
Completion Requirements
1 Contact Hour for State of Florida Occupational Therapy practitioners will be awarded upon a successful completion of a multiple choice post-test. Participants will be able to print a certificate of completion after completing a short course evaluation in addition to the post-test.
Disclosure Statement
Instructors have stated that they have not received funding to support this training.
Instructional Methods
One (1) hour course during which the learner will view a streaming video presentation, reference PowerPoint® slides, and take a multiple choice post-test.