The William Merritt Centre, part of the Driving Mobility network, is delighted to announce the return of its AccessAbility exhibition so healthcare professionals and people with disabilities can discover the latest in adapted driving, assistive technology and mobility equipment.

15th June 2022, Centenary Pavilion, Leeds United Football Club, LS11 0ES. 10.30am to 3:00pm.

The William Merritt Centre, also based in Leeds, is an independent charity accredited by Driving Mobility – a national charity supported by The Department for Transport. Driving Mobility co-ordinates over 20 centres, many with outreach facilities, that provide ‘fitness-to-drive’ and mobility equipment assessments. Clients self-refer or are signposted from the DVLA, Motability, Police and NHS.

AccessAbility will be a fully inclusive event, for all ages, and will include experiences such as:

• Options and advice on assistive equipment – opportunities to try products which can enhance everyday life and enable greater independence.
• All aspects of driving including vehicle adaptations, accessible vehicles and a test drive circuit with new and existing drivers in mind.
• Chill out in the gaming area including advice on adaptations to enable everyone to access computers, mobile phones, tablets, toys and computer games.
• Specialist seminars offering the latest education
• Opportunities to speak to Occupational Therapists for personalised guidance.

AccessAbility will provide a rewarding and fulfilling day out for:

• Children, teenagers and adults with disabilities (14 year+ for the drive test)
• Parents and carers
• Healthcare professionals
• Older people
• Approved Driving Instructors

It offers a unique opportunity to see and try a range of services for people with disabilities, all in one location.

Find out more here: https://www.wmdlc.org/accessability-22-delegates

Book your free ticket here: https://accessability22.eventbrite.co.uk

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

Driving Mobility, the charity that accredits a network of specialist driving assessment centres, has showcased its services at the OT Show through CPD approved education and advice. (The Occupational Therapy Show 2019, NEC, Stand K51, 27-28 November).

The OT Show is the largest annual exhibition for Occupational Therapists seeking the latest products, services and CPD education to enhance everyday practice. Attendees at the 2019 event were able to engage with Driving Mobility to better understand how this respected charity provides appropriate support to individuals seeking independent mobility.

      

Driving Mobility was represented by members from two of the independent organisations within its nationwide network, namely William Merritt Disabled Living Centre and RDAC. Supported by the Department for Transport, Driving Mobility centres offer professional support and driving assessments to clients who need to gain, or retain, the ability to drive following a diagnosis involving impairment or disability.

Philip North, Senior OT from the William Merritt Disabled Living Centre provided a series of educational seminars which were well attended with over 150 attendees recorded on day one. Entitled ‘Medical Fitness to Drive – maintaining independent mobility’ these seminars outlined how Driving Mobility assessments check client physical and cognitive abilities with a view to driving a vehicle safely and in comfort. This CPD education was complimented by practical advice on vehicle adaptations and an impressive interactive driving simulator.

David Blythe, Manager of the William Merritt Disabled Living Centre, commented: “The OT Show completes a successful year of exhibitions for Driving Mobility. We have increased awareness of our services to drivers, passengers, families and healthcare professionals. Our final showcase was a fitting climax as we welcomed a large number of OTs onto the stand – particularly during Philip’s presentations. Delegates were able to reflect on the role of occupational therapy within driving and consider many practical elements associated with cognitive ability. We have already begun planning our 2020 exhibition schedule so more professionals can understand how we successfully signpost clients to positive outcomes.”

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

https://twitter.com/DrivingMob/

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

#MyDrivingMobility

Driving Mobility, the charity that accredits specialist driving assessments centres across the UK, has successfully showcased its services to a healthy number of visitors at Kidz to Adultz North.

Organised by the charity Disabled Living, Kidz North is part of a series of regional events that brings together the latest assistive products and services for disabled children and young adults. The latest exhibition at EventCity Manchester generated strong attendance figures from therapists, carers and families keen to discover new solutions for easier living. The Driving Mobility exhibition stand provided an opportunity for visitors to understand its services and experience a driving simulator that highlighted the many aspects of driving assessment.

The 20 independent centres within Driving Mobility, many with outreach facilities, 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 healthcare professionals. Once a provisional licence application is complete Occupational Therapists and ADI’s (Approved Driving Instructors) from Driving Mobility can assess, review and signpost young drivers to the most appropriate adapted vehicle. These services were explained at Kidz North by representatives from two Driving Mobility centres – namely the William Merritt Disabled Living Centre based in Leeds and RDAC Salford.

David Blythe, representing Driving Mobility commented: “We were delighted to have debuted at Kidz North as our services were introduced to a healthy number of professionals and parents. Our driving simulator was a popular feature as it offered both education and entertainment for adult and junior visitors seeking informed guidance on assisted driving.  OTs were able to understand how our assessment services maximise occupational performance for their clients and why choosing Driving Mobility enhances positive outcomes for all.”

 

Representing Driving Mobility, Occupational Therapists from the William Merritt Disabled Living Centre and RDAC Salford will be demonstrating their driving assessment services for young disabled people at Kidz to Adultz North.

Thursday 14th November 2019. 9.30am – 4.30pm, EventCity, Barton Dock Road, Manchester.
M17 8AS. Stand F27. Free entry and parking.

Supported by the Department for Transport, Driving Mobility centres offer professional support and driving assessments for young disabled people who wish to learn or retain the ability to drive. Each of the twenty centres accredited by Driving Mobility, many with outreach facilities, operate either as independent charities or within an NHS Trust. Occupational Therapists (OTs), Approved Driving Instructors (ADIs) and Administration staff support young individuals signposted from the DVLA, Motability, Police and healthcare professionals such as OTs and GPs.

Aspiring new drivers can apply for their provisional licence from 16 if they have a qualifying disability however a clinically-led fitness to drive assessment needs to take place – this is where Driving Mobility can assist following a self-referral or professional recommendation. OTs and advisors from the William Merritt Disabled Living Centre in Leeds and RDAC Salford will be able to explain this process at Kidz North along with all other services that signpost individuals to accessible driving. Both centres own a fleet of adapted and wheelchair accessible vehicles (WAVs) so test drives and driver evaluation can be delivered for a variety of abilities. With professional advice from Driving Mobility, clients and supporting OTs can then proceed with sourcing the most appropriate vehicle for safe and comfortable driving.

Offering a fun and interactive opportunity, there will be a vehicle simulator on the stand at Kidz North for professionals and families to try. This feature is a replica of the equipment at many centres which is used to measure driver capabilities and will highlight certain considerations associated with adapted driving.

Edward Trewhella, Chief Executive, Driving Mobility comments: “As the national voice of assisted driving and independence, Driving Mobility is committed to helping as many young disabled drivers as possible get behind the wheel. Our services extend to all aspects of accessible travel particularly with our new Hubs initiative supported by the Department for Transport. The Driving Mobility stand at Kidz North will provide an invaluable opportunity for families and healthcare professionals to discover pathways to greater independent mobility for their clients and children.”

 

#MyDrivingMobility

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