For anyone with a disability beginning, continuing or returning to driving a driving assessment may be recommended to establish what one’s most suitable options are.

A driving assessment may be required to decide what adaptive driving equipment and vehicle are best suited to one’s requirements, in order to drive in safety and comfort. Various cognitive and perceptual table top tests; the Mini Mental State Examination and others, provide us with valuable information and helps guide decisions. However, these tests are not always reliable or comprehensive measures in determining decisions around cessation or continuation of driving.

A combination of one or more of these tests including an on-road evaluation, is to date the most comprehensive way of assessing all of the drivers abilities.

Good interdisciplinary management should therefore ensure that people challenged by driving are provided with timely and informed advice and provided with the necessary support and procedures to enable them adjust to driving changes and/or being unable to drive. The following types of assessment are available from the Disabled Drivers Association

STATIC ASSESSMENT UNIT

At Disabled Drivers Association in Ballindine advanced equipment is available for assessing ability. A static assessment unit assesses the motor ability of upper and lower limbs in terms of strength, mobility and motor reaction time. Mental reactions and decision making ability are also tested. This assessment is an important component of evaluating what car adaptations, if any, are required for the prospective driver. The unit also assesses the client’s visual field. This information is particularly useful for those beginning to drive. It is advisable that for those returning to driving or having their driving reassessed, poor performance on the static unit is not conclusive. For experienced drivers it does not re-create the real driving situation. Moderate results should be supported by an in car on road assessment.

IN CAR / ON ROAD ASSESSMENT

The Static Unit assessment is enhanced by an on road assessment with an experienced instructors. An In- car On-road Assessment may be requested to ascertain if any cognitive/perceptual deficits affect one’s ability to drive. Cars are available, which offer a range of adaptations to meet the needs of the majority of clients. The on road assessment allows for an assessment in a more realistic driving situation. This form of assessment has proven to be a better environment for clients returning to driving but now in an adapted vehicle.

The various assessments will identify elements which need to be addressed and also unfortunately elements which cannot be successfully addressed. All the adaptations in the world cannot assist every person whether able bodied or disabled to drive.

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