Occupational Therapists from Driving Mobility, the national charity which coordinates driving assessment centres with the Department for Transport, will be offering ‘express’ on-stand CPD seminars at the OT Show. (Stand L30 NEC, 23^rd and 24^th November 2022).

The CPD schedule is as follows:

 

1. ‘Maintaining independent mobility’

Dates and times:        23^rd Nov – 11:30-11:45 and 14:30-14:45

                                    24^th Nov – 11:30-11:45 and 14:30-14:45

Speakers:                   Jaqueline Guerin, Occupational Therapist

David Blythe, General Manager, William Merritt Centre

Synopsis:
These CPD sessions will outline how Driving Mobility assessments identify physical and cognitive client abilities, with a view to maintaining or regaining safe driving.  Each assessment establishes a person’s fitness-to-drive relative to specific medical conditions and is carried out by qualified OTs and Approved Driving Instructors.

 

Learning outcomes:

• Delegates will reflect on the role of occupational therapy within driving
• Greater appreciation of the link between driving and independence
• Consideration of the practical elements of a driving assessment ie. cognitive skills and physical function
• Develop greater understanding of vehicle adaptions and support to remain driving

 

 

2. ‘Safe Travels – car seat options for children with additional needs’

Dates and times:        23^rd Nov – 10:30-10:45 and 12:30-12:45

Speaker:                     Clare Jones, Occupational Therapist

Synopsis: Led by an OT with specialist paediatric knowledge, this CPD topic will explore potential in-vehicle equipment for children with additional needs including challenging behaviour.

 

 

Learning outcomes:

• Understanding how specific equipment can provide safe travel for children with postural and mobility challenges
• Exploration of moving and handling options
• Knowledge regarding the Motability Scheme, wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAV) and vehicle adaptations for passengers
• Awareness of Driving Mobility Centres which offer car seat assessments

 

 

3. ‘The Power of Early Powered Mobility’

Dates and times:        24th Nov – 10:30-10:45 and 12:30-12:45

Speaker:                     Kate El Bizanti, Occupational Therapist

Synopsis: This CPD session will increase knowledge regarding the benefits of early powered mobility in children with disabilities. The national Bugzi powered wheelchair loan scheme, provided by Driving Mobility, will be highlighted within the presentation.

 

Learning outcomes:

• Clinical evidence that demonstrates the importance of early powered mobility
• Understanding that powered mobility for young children is more than learning wheelchair skills
• Increased accessibility to early powered mobility though our ‘new school squads’

 

 

Also, on the stand

To complement the educational content, the Driving Mobility stand will encompass displays that highlight the range of services available at its centres. These will include:

• A driving simulator, to understand the clinical assessment process
• Adapted driving controls
• Details on the new Hubs Mobility Service
• Mobility scooter assessments
• Paediatric car seats
• Bugzi powerchair for children

 

https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/

 

#MyDrivingMobility

This article, compiled by Clare Jones at RDAC in Solihull and Gwen Breen from Driving Mobility, features in January’s  The OT Magazine. It discusses how Occupational Therapists can help their clients maintain their independence through Driving Mobility centres.

 

 

Thank you to The OT Magazine for allowing us to copy and publish the article.

Rachel Hirst is an occupational therapist that works at the William Merritt Centre in Leeds and in this article she shares the amazing work that she is involved in as part of the team there.

Find your local centre here 👉 https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/find-a-centre/

Download the full pdf here: 50-51 – William Merritt Centre

#MyDrivingMobility

Supported by The Department for Transport, Driving Mobility, the charity that coordinates a national network of driving assessment centres, will be presenting its range of mobility services at Kidz-to-Adultz-North exhibition (The Exhibition Centre Liverpool, 17th November 2021, stand V34, Kings Dock, Liverpool Waterfront).

Organised by the charity Disabled Living, Kidz-to-Adultz-North is a free-to-attend exhibition which provides a showcase for all the latest products and services to assist children and young adults with disabilities. This is the first physical Disabled Living event to take place since the start of the pandemic and will offer a unique opportunity for all disabled visitors, families and healthcare professionals. Part of the diverse range of stands on show, the Driving Mobility team will be advising how individuals gain or maintain independence whilst working closely with their Occupational Therapists. Visit the stand and find out why assessments by qualified Driving Mobility clinicians is vital.

Driving Mobility accredits over 20 main centres across the UK, many with outreach facilities, which provide professional support and driving assessments for young disabled people who wish to learn or retain the ability to drive. Individuals aged 16+ with a qualifying disability can self-refer or seek recommendation to Driving Mobility services via the DVLA, Motability and the NHS. Once a provisional licence application is complete, Occupational Therapists and ADIs (Approved Driving Instructors) from Driving Mobility can assess, review and signpost young drivers to the most appropriate adapted vehicle. These services will be explained at Kidz-up-North by representatives from two Driving Mobility centres – namely the William Merritt Disabled Living Centre based in Leeds and RDAC Manchester.

Steve Perry, Driving Mobility Trustee, said: “We look forward to another busy Kidz event and being able to help visitors once again on a face-to-face basis. Our team will be able to answer all questions relating to assisted driving and explain how our Occupational Therapists work effectively with their peers in the community. Driving Mobility is 100% committed to positive outcomes for all so even if driving a vehicle is not an option, our centres can recommend a range of alternative solutions from powered wheelchairs to accessible public transport.”

 

Driving Mobility, the national charity which accredits driving assessment centres, has announced a new partnership with Oxford Brookes University, to deliver higher education courses in ‘Driving Assessment and Outdoor Mobility’.

Supported by The Department for Transport, Driving Mobility provides a range of driving and mobility assessment services to assist disabled individuals so they can gain or maintain independence. Its 20 centres, with over 70 outreach facilities across the UK, assist clients who self-refer or are signposted from the DVLA, Motability, Police and the NHS. To ensure employees, such as Approved Driving Instructors and Occupational Therapists, remain at the forefront of their profession, all staff are required to achieve certification from an independent educational institution. This maintains high standards within their duty of care and protects client outcomes. As a leading university provider of vocational and blended learning, Oxford Brookes University has been chosen to partner with Driving Mobility, its staff and clients.

Oxford Brookes University (OBU) is a top 50 UK university* with a learning platform that is world-class and departments relevant to Driving Mobility.  OBU has chosen to lead this course, as a clinical discipline, whilst underpinning delivery through a robust accessibility policy.

The educational programme from Oxford Brookes provides a qualification for employment at Driving Mobility or to gain certification for commercial and academic work elsewhere. The courses allow learners to work towards a Certificate in Higher Education, a Postgraduate Certificate or a Postgraduate Diploma in Driving Assessment and Outdoor Mobility, with the possibility of continuing onto Masters and Doctoral level study. Certification in ‘Driving Assessment and Outdoor Mobility’ is essential for all mobility practitioners including Approved Driving Instructors and Occupational Therapists. Study topics include medical conditions, fitness to drive, cognition, vision, assistive technology, driver behaviour and rehabilitation.

By qualifying, their strengthened clinical and technical knowledge will enhance professional practice and ensure better outcomes for clients with disabilities. Studying is possible at either undergraduate or postgraduate level to suit academic backgrounds and to meet professional aspirations.

Edward Trewhella, CEO, Driving Mobility comments: “Ensuring all our instructors and clinicians are able to fulfil their roles effectively through the latest education is key. Now with the support of Oxford Brookes University, we can deliver world-class training for employees, so service levels remain high through advanced understanding and practice. As our new educational programme rolls out, we also intend to offer the course to professionals and academics outside of the charity who will benefit from enhanced knowledge regarding mobility. Both in the UK and worldwide, Driving Mobility has affiliations with many associated driving organisations hence welcomes all international students, with an interest in assisted driving, to gain invaluable insight through our new courses.”

Victoria Gilbert, Placement Lead at Oxford Brookes University, said: “Oxford Brookes University is delighted to have launched this exciting partnership with Driving Mobility. As an organisation, Driving Mobility continually strives to provide exceptional quality of driving care in line with current best practice. The support of staff to undertake university accredited courses demonstrates their commitment to, and expectation of, high levels of expertise and skill within practice. Oxford Brookes University is proud to provide the academic support to allow the driving team’s clinical skills to be showcased through this clinical-professional development opportunity.”

Tanya Rihtman, Occupational Therapy Programme Lead at Oxford Brookes added: “The Oxford Brookes University-Driving Mobility courses, housed within the Occupational Therapy suite of programmes, are in their first year of delivery, and the academic modules support a clear pathway through the qualifications on offer.”

“Looking to the future, the Oxford Brookes University-Driving Mobility collaboration hopes to expand on the teaching and learning offer. For example, widening course availability to university students on healthcare courses and to our North American occupational therapy students who require mandatory Driving Mobility training as a prerequisite to professional registration in their home countries. We look forward to the years ahead working collaboratively to successfully run these courses.”

Driving Mobility, the charity that accredits a network of specialist driving assessment centres, is reopening its UK services with Covid-19 safety measures so drivers can once again receive expert guidance regarding assisted motoring.

Driving Mobility Centres provide professional, clinically-led driving and mobility assessments for individuals who have restricted mobility. Service users self-refer or are signposted to its 20 Centres from the DVLA, Motability, the Police and healthcare professionals such as GPs and Occupational Therapists. These Centres provide over 70 outreach facilities bringing the service close to where people live, and which are managed by independent charities or NHS departments – all focused on helping people with disabilities or life changing diagnosis to continue driving safely. Since the lockdown in March, Driving Mobility assessment appointments have been suspended following guidance from the Government. However, from the 6^th July, Centres will be reintroducing services with a phased approach so that clients and staff remain safe from coronavirus.

Edward Trewhella, CEO, Driving Mobility, comments: “Every centre is preparing to reopen for safe driving assessments. All our staff are keen to get going and have been busy organising new procedures in terms of Covid-19. Our Approved Driving Instructors and Occupational Therapists will be fully observing Government guidelines and NHS clinical principles, so clients experience a rewarding driving assessment that focuses on a positive outcome. We have a backlog of enquiries which will be resolved as quickly as possible and our teams are ready for new stakeholder referrals to begin once more.”

Members of the public, as clients, will need to be in a vehicle with Driving Mobility assessors, and this will involve several new procedures to reduce risk. These will include the use of PPE and hand sanitiser, thorough disinfecting of vehicles, open windows at all times and limited close personal contact. Use of assessment rooms and waiting areas will all be adjusted in accordance with advice from Public Health England.

Edward continues: “We believe our services are now more vital than ever before in terms of supporting peoples’ independence. With current advice to avoid public transport where necessary and to take extra precautions if you have underlying health conditions, the ability to drive a car independently with a disability has great significance for mental health and wellbeing. Our Centres also provide assessments and guidance on solutions for mobility that facilitate social distancing, such as powered wheelchairs and mobility scooters. These comprehensive services which encompass all aspects of accessible travel, provide the key to many who have been unable to leave home in an appropriate and safe manner.

Edward concludes: “Driving Mobility is the national voice of assisted driving and independence – now is the time this will be even more pronounced.”

Philip North, Senior OT, will be providing unmissable education regarding client driving assessments at the OT Show, in conjunction with Driving Mobility and its regional William Merritt Disabled Living Centre. (Stand K51 NEC, 27-28 November).

The William Merritt Disabled Living Centre is proud to be part of the nationwide Driving Mobility network. Supported by the Department for Transport, Driving Mobility centres offer professional support and driving assessments to OT clients who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability.

Philip is a highly experienced OT from The William Merritt Centre in Leeds. He has over 30 year’s of clinical practice and is a nationally respected specialist in medical fitness to drive assessments. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in postural, driver and passenger assessments. Philip manages Driver Assessment Services across three regional sites in Leeds, Sheffield and York.

Medical Fitness to Drive – maintaining independent mobility

Dates and times:      27th November, 10:30-10:45, 11:30-11:45, 12:30-12:45, 14:30-14:45.                 
28th November, 10:30-10:45, 11:30-11:45, 12:30-12:45, 14:30-14:45.

Location:                      OT Show, NEC Birmingham Stand K51

Speaker:                       Philip North, OT

Synopsis:
The sessions will outline how Driving Mobility assessments check client physical and cognitive abilities with a view to driving a vehicle safely and in comfort. They will also offer advice on aids and adaptations that may assist driving. Each assessment establishes a person’s fitness to drive, related to a medical condition and is carried out by a team of qualified OTs and Approved Driving Instructors.

On stand K51 Driving Mobility will demonstrate and discuss the role of their Occupational Therapists when assessing cognitive and physical driving abilities. A driving simulator will be available on the stand so visitors will be able to experience the key aspects that are assessed.

Learning outcomes:

• Delegates will reflect on the role of occupational therapy within driving
• Greater appreciation of the link between driving and independence
• Consideration of the practical elements of a driving assessment:
  – Cognitive skills being assessed – eg. visual perception, decision making, attention, planning ability, slowed processing skills, memory and higher executive thinking
  – Physical function – ability to steer and use foot controls and change gear
• Develop greater understanding of vehicle adaptions and support to remain driving

https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/

https://twitter.com/DrivingMob/
https://www.facebook.com/drivingmobility/

#MyDrivingMobility

Driving Mobility, the charity that accredits a nationwide network of driving assessment centres, has successfully exhibited at the latest Royal College of Occupational Therapists Conference (RCOT).

The team representing Driving Mobility which included Occupational Therapists (OTs), Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and centre managers welcomed healthy numbers of OTs onto their stand at the conference.

Information was available to all delegates regarding Driving Mobility services which provides professional driving assessments and advice for individuals with restricted mobility. This support can signpost clients to suitable adapted controls, wheelchair accessible vehicles, training and further services. Centres operate as either independent charities or as part of an NHS Trust so that service users can gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. Individuals can self-refer or are signposted by the DVLA, Motability, Police and healthcare professionals such as OTs and GPs.

In addition to discovering information and seeing specialist steering controls, delegates were able to experience a vehicle simulator on the stand which proved to be very popular. This interactive feature replicated equipment at many centres which is used to measure driver capabilities in a clinically-led format. By sitting in the driving seat OTs were able to more clearly consider the many aspects to consider when assessing a client’s ability to drive safely.

Edward Trewhella, Chief Executive, Driving Mobility comments: “We were delighted that RCOT provided a successful showcase for Driving Mobility services and many delegates benefited from our exhibition display. As many regard us as the national voice for adapted motoring, being able to engage with so many OTs face-to-face is an invaluable opportunity to explain our client-centred ethos. As the national umbrella charity for all the centres, we believe in delivering independence for all and our strong relationship with healthcare professionals is key to achieving this promise.”

 

#MyDrivingMobility

Occupational Therapists representing Driving Mobility, the national charity which oversees 20 independent driving assessment centres across the UK, will be presenting their services at the 2019 RCOT Conference.

RCOT Annual Conference and Exhibition, stand 62. 17-18 June 2019, ICC Birmingham. #RCOT2019

Many with outreach capabilities, Driving Mobility centres include independent charities and facilities operating within the NHS that deliver professional assessments so disabled and elderly people can gain or retain independence. Each centre employs Occupational Therapists (OTs), Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and Administration staff so service users can gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability. Individuals can self-refer or are signposted by the DVLA, Motability, Police and healthcare professionals such as OTs and GPs. Over and above driving assessments and advice regarding vehicle adaptations, centres provide a vast range of further information regarding accessible air, bus and train travel – all of which will be displayed on stand 62.

Driving Mobility OTs, ADIs and centre managers will be available to explain how the charity can support client occupational performance and help meet the challenges OTs face, in terms of facilitating mobility outside of the home. These representatives will be from two of the independent regional organisations within the Driving Mobility national network – RDAC and the William Merritt Disabled Living Centre.

Offering an interactive experience, there will be a vehicle simulator on the stand for delegates to try which will highlight parts of the Driving Mobility assessments. This feature is a replica of the equipment at many centres which is used to measure driver capabilities in a clinically-led format. By sitting in the driving seat OTs will understand more clearly aspects to consider when assessing client needs, wants and risks.

Edward Trewhella, Chief Executive, Driving Mobility comments: “We are delighted to be showcasing Driving Mobility services at the RCOT conference for the first time. Our interactive vehicle simulator and comprehensive information display will provide an opportunity for delegates seeking professional guidance in relation to independent mobility. Driving Mobility OTs work closely with fellow peers in the public and private sector to ensure their clients can benefit from inclusion and accessibility within the community. This effective relationship provides solutions to many common transportation issues and hence we look forward to forging new connections at the conference which will result in wider support across the UK.”