Letter to Michigan Disability Dealer Magazine
IN MEMORY OF KARL SHERBECK: A FORMER OFFICE MATE, BUSINESS PARTNER AND FRIEND.
WHO NEEDS DRIVER’S REHABILITATION???
First, what is driver’s rehabilitation?
Driver rehabilitation may be defined in different ways. It can best be looked at as one of the last steps involved in getting a person back to a normalized driving lifestyle. This occurs after a change in a person’s physical or cognitive skill level, which may have affected his or her ability to drive safely. It may be evaluating and documenting an individual’s ability to drive safely or it may be evaluating an individual’s adaptive equipment needs for a vehicle. When those abilities have been identified, further training or retraining may be necessary for safe vehicle operation.
Who is the evaluator?
In Michigan, the evaluator must first be a Licensed Driver Educator. Beyond that, they should have training in Driver Rehabilitation. The highest level of certification is a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist. We at C D E, Inc. employ Certified Driver Educators and a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist with science backgrounds including Human Physiology and Genetics. Another important factor is that all have mechanical backgrounds but probably the most important factor is the ability to work with people in a positive manner.
Who are the people who need driver’s rehabilitation?
Any one who has a medical condition, which affects ones ability to drive safely, needs driver’s rehabilitation. Examples of some conditions which qualify are as follows: quadriplegic, paraplegia, hemiplegic, closed head injury, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, stroke, achondroplasia dwarfism, certain heart conditions, amputation, some phobias, ataxia, spina bifida, visual problems, and many others.
What does the evaluator need prior to working with the client?
1. A prescription from a physician stating Driver’s evaluation/training or the equivalent.
2. A Pre-driving screen is desired in many cases. It should include the following:
Visual acuity, depth perception, peripheral vision, color vision, night vision, glare
vision, glare recovery, divided attention MVPT, scanning, road sign identification,
brake reaction time, and a narrative of the client’s medical and driving background.
3. A valid Driver’s license, Temporary Instruction Permit (TIP), Indefinitely
Restricted License, or Temporary Operator’s Permit (TOP).
What if the client needs adaptive equipment to enable them to drive safely?
An evaluation should be completed to determine the type of adaptive equipment necessary and to insure that the client can use the equipment safely and effectively. The client should be trained on the recommended equipment. The equipment will need to be placed as a restriction on the client’s driver’s license. Prior to that occurring, a Physician’s Statement of Examination (DI-4P) must be completed by the client’s physician. An appointment will be made with a Driving Analyst, Driver Assessment, Michigan Department of State. The client, the evaluator and any supporting documentation will go to the driving analyst who will road test the client and if the client is successful, the restrictions will be entered into the State computer and on an Order of Action. The Order of Action will be presented to a Secretary of State Office employee and a license will be produced with the appropriate equipment restrictions listed.
What about liability?
Nothing can totally protect you from liability, however, if the physician, the occupational therapists, the evaluator, and you follow all of the procedures, your liability should be lessened. It should be noted that the restrictions placed on the client’s license are very important in helping to lessen the potential liability resulting from an accident with the use of the adaptive equipment being a potential cause. The behind the wheel test results from the driving analyst and the resulting license restrictions are documentation by the State of Michigan that you could use the adaptive equipment safely.
It should also be noted that your physician is the last in the sequence to release you back to drive. The doctor may be aware of some current medical reason why you should not drive.
Safety.
Every governmental agency, insurance company and individual who have hired C D E, Inc. have had as their primary concern, the client’s safety. Our expectation is that is also the client’s primary concern. With a properly performed evaluation and adequate training, most clients can become independent again. Your safety and the safety of everyone on the road are primary and paramount.
Larry Klug, Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist
Karl Sherbeck, Licensed Driver Educator
C D E, Inc. (Challenged Driver Educators)
3242 Bangor Road
Bay City, MI 48706
989-667-1366 telephone and fax