Driver Rehabilitation
A Driver Rehabilitation Specialist provides a wide range of services to individuals with disabilities. Those served include Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services customers, high school students, and individuals recovering from medical problems.
Driver Education Services Include:
• Evaluation/Assessment
• Specialization in Classroom/Behind-the-Wheel Training and Consultation for individuals with disabilities
• Four (4) vehicles (2 cars & 2 vans) enhanced with various adaptive equipment
Driver Rehabilitation Program
Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, Jon Geiger, M.S. Ed., CDRS (Certified Driver Rehab. Specialist) directs the program and is supported by graduate assistants, interns, and student workers. Jon has over 27 years of driver rehabilitation experience. He obtained his master's degree & has attended conferences, to increase his knowledge and teaching skills. He has two (2) research publications addressing the relationship between the Perceptual Memory Task (PMT) & driver's licensing status among individuals with disabilities.
PROGRAM SPECIFICS
Four components are available for clients pursuing Driver Rehabilitation Services. They include: Driver Evaluation, Driver Education/Training, Vehicle Equipment Prescription and Consultation Services.
DRIVER EVALUATION is a seven-step process that usually takes two-four hours, depending on the vehicle used, disability & adaptive equipment needs of the individual.
1. A vision screening is performed to determine visual acuity, depth perception/binocularity skills, peripheral skills, traffic sign recognition & color discrimination/blindness (pseudo-isochromatic plates).
2. A reaction time test is performed on all functional limbs using sound & light stimuli.
3. A 20 point computerized pre-permit test is taken to determine a client's basic knowledge of Illinois Rules of the Road information.
4. The Motor Free Visual Perceptual Test (MVPT) is administered to assess visual perceptual skills including: visual closure, visual memory, spatial relations, figure ground & visual discrimination.
5. The Ruff 2 & 7 Selective Attention Test is administered to assess the ability to scan, identify and selectively attend to scenarios comparable to the driving task.
6. Trail Making B Test is administered to assess divided attention & visuomotor tracking skills.
7. Parking lot and/or on-the-road driver assessment is provided in one of four (4) adapted driver education vehicles.
DRIVER EDUCATION/TRAINING consists of classroom and on-the-road components. Classroom training provides preparation for the driver's permit test for clients needing this service. Class size typically ranges from 1-10 students. Driver simulation experience is also offered. EDC owns four simulators. Clients observe simulation videos with teacher supervision/discussion of driving scenarios in a non-threatening environment.
Behind-the-wheel training is provided in one-hour increments, twice weekly. Adjustments in training times are made to meet the client's needs. The client's equipment needs determine which vehicle will be used. Instruction may conclude with driver's license testing at a local driver's license facility in an EDC vehicle for clients meeting proficiency & safety qualifications/requirements.
VEHICLE ADAPTIVE EQUIPMENT PRESCRIPTIONS are provided to clients needing adaptive equipment. This includes vehicle selection, appropriate adaptive aids/devices & vehicle modifications.
CONSULTATIONS provided by request for topics including: Program presentations, medical/vision report forms, adaptive equipment devices & vehicle selection/modifications options.
ADAPTED VEHICLES INCLUDE:
1997 FORD VAN
Equipment updated in 2007; this is one of the most adapted vehicles in the world. Some of the adaptive devices include: Joystick Steering Device, Acc-U-Trol™ Secondary Driving Control System, Headrest device for secondary controls, Warp-Drive™, Wee-Pedals™, Zero-effort Small Diameter Steering Wheel, Electronic Gas/Brake, Reversible Right-Angle Hand Controls, Sure-Grip™ Rock/Push Hand control with tri-pin for left handed usage, Removable driver's seat to allow driving from wheelchair, nine inch power pan, etc.
2000 GMC SAFARI
This van serves clients without physical limitations and who can't comfortably be seated in the other smaller driver education vehicles.
2004 FORD TAURUS
This vehicle is equipped with: Right-angle hand controls, spinner knobs, left foot accelerator pedal, dual bump switches and/or head operated voice scan device for various secondary controls, pedal extensions, a right-handed turn signal lever & park brake extension.
2010 TOYOTA PRIUS
This vehicle is equipped with four (4) interchangeable Sure-Grip ™ Hand Controls, a wide array of various spinner knobs, left foot accelerator pedal with accelerator guard, right-handed turn signal lever, pedal extensions & thumb switch controls for turn signals, horn & dimmer switch. This vehicle also has push button ignition for easier starting capability.
Phone: 618-453-4324 Fax: 618-453-6386
Email: jgeiger@siu.edu Website: http://rehab.siuc.edu/service/edc_drivers_evaluation.html