Driver Rehabilitation
We help you enable freedom and independence by returning to drive after an accident or illness through our comprehensive driving assessment and training.
Driver Rehabilitation In Metro Vancouver/Greater Vancouver & The Fraser Valley
Suffering from injuries or disabling condition(s) may affect your ability to drive independently and safely. Our occupational therapists apply science-based knowledge to support drivers through the use of strategies, adaptive equipment, or vehicle modification to compensate for changes from ageing and medical conditions.
Our program is headed by Dr. Jeffrey Tse, who has extensive clinical experience and specialty training in driving rehabilitation for over 20 years. He obtained Certified Driver Assessor for Occupational Therapy qualification in Australia in 1996. He received postgraduate training in assistive technology and a Ph.D. in rehabilitation psychology in 2007.
Infinity Health offers a comprehensive driver rehabilitation assessment for both private and commercial vehicles, including Class 1-4, Class 5, and Class 7 driver’s licenses. We serve Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, including Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Delta, Surrey, Langley, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Moody, and Coquitlam, and more.
Our clients involved in driving rehabilitation can maximize their safe and independent driving potential with the use of our innovative assessment technologies, adaptive driving solutions, vehicle adaptation, and strategies.
With our wide collection of advanced technology for assessment and adaptive devices for driving solutions, our clients in driver rehabilitation can maximize their driving potential with professional recommendations on vehicle adaptation and/or strategies used for safe and independent driving.
What Are Driver's Assessments?
Our Driving Assessments include comprehensive evaluations conducted by occupational therapists and certified driving instructors to assess an individual’s ability to drive safely and independently.
Who Needs Driver Rehabilitation?
Driver rehabilitation provides evaluation and rehabilitation to people who suffer from injuries, illnesses, or medical conditions that may affect their ability to drive. Some examples may include but are not limited to: people with acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, amputation, muscle dystrophy, cerebral palsy, driving anxiety, PTSD, and visual deficits. A functional driving evaluation assesses your ability to operate a motor vehicle with or without vehicle modification. It also determines if you can benefit from driving training to improve or remediate driving skills/deficits.
What Is Driver's Rehabilitation?
Our team of occupational therapists can assist with your journey to return/learn to drive after an accident or illness. Your recovery process may include:
1. Functional Driving Evaluation (FDE)
The FDE consists of two components, namely, in-clinic and on-road assessments. The in-clinic assessment comprises a wide range of advanced technology (Optec, brake reaction timer tester, and so on) and various validated and appropriate instruments to assess cognitive, perceptual, visual, and physical abilities. Once assessed, functional capacities, limitations, and skills deficits will be identified. The on-road assessment takes place upon successful completion of the in-clinic evaluation. During which, the occupational therapist, together with the certified driving instructor, will evaluate driving performance and skills for the client in the assessment vehicle equipped with dual control system and can be modified with driving adaptations such as hand control, steering knob, and left foot accelerator if necessary. All vehicle classes can be assessed, including commercial vehicle classes 1-4.
2. Vehicle Access Evaluation
Vehicle access by driver or passenger is conducted to determine if alternative solutions for safe and reliable access and storage of mobility devices are recommended, such as motorized ramps, swivel driver seats, transfer strategies or lifting platforms, and the selection of appropriate vehicles.
3. Driver Rehabilitation and Skills Training
An Occupational Therapist advises and supervises driving training lessons with a certified driving instructor, using a vehicle equipped with appropriate adaptations if needed. Each session is customized to meet the client’s specific needs to regain their capacity to drive safely and independently. Driver rehabilitation can include training on physical capacities, cognitive abilities, and mental health strategies to promote safe and independent driving.
Our functional approach is holistic and considers your individual needs. Please contact info@infinityhealth.ca for more details on how we can assist with your driver rehabilitation needs and resuming driving for more freedom and independence.
