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 older adults’ transportation needs, the potential benefit of autonomous vehicle technology (AVT) to their health and safety, and results from a study conducted to determine older adults’ perception before and after being exposed to AVT (i.e. a driving simulator driving in autonomous mode and an automated shuttle). The presentation highlights implications for practice, policy and research.
Target Audience
This course is well-suited for occupational therapists and transportation professionals who are interested in optimizing the personal and community mobility of older adults via autonomous vehicle technology.
Educational Level
Advanced: Course content is geared to practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter based on current theories and standards of practice as well as current literature and research. Focus is on recent advances and trends, and/or research applications.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:
- Define autonomous vehicle technology.
- Describe the health and safety expectations of older adults pertaining to community mobility.
- Describe the levels of vehicle automation.
- Differentiate between an autonomous driving simulator and an autonomous shuttle.
- Detail the face and content validity of the assessment tool used for determining older adult perceptions.
- Summarize the perceptions of older adults after exposure to either or both modes of AVT.
- Explain the implications of the study findings for rehabilitation professionals, industry, as well as transportation professionals.
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.