How Adaptive Mobility’s OT-to-DRS Training Empowers Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapists (OTs) who are looking to expand their skills and make a bigger difference in people’s daily lives now have a unique pathway: Adaptive Mobility’s Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (DRS) training. The program is designed in three core parts and gives OTs with the skills to evaluate and modify driving practices for those with disabilities or medical conditions that make driving difficult.

• Part 1 provides online teaching to OTs for how to perform driving risk assessments.
• Part 2 combines online courses with 3 days of hands-on, in-vehicle training.
• Part 3 teaches motivated individuals how to start their own driver rehab business.

The Impact on Careers

For many, this training is not just career-enhancing. It’s simply life-changing for them and their patients.

“Adaptive Mobility’s Part 1 and Part 2 courses have been a huge game-changer,” says Trista Windows, the Director of Driver Rehabilitation Services at the Driver Rehab Center of Excellence and a CDRS herself. “This specialized training, especially the hands-on practice, gives our new specialists a strong base in adaptive equipment and assessment techniques, getting them up to speed way faster and smoother.”

Across the United States, OTs who have completed the program are now creating their own practices and providing critical services in their communities. Joan Sevigny Cramer, a CDRS and the owner of Therapeutic Driving with Occupational Therapy, LLC, reflects on her journey. “My journey in driving rehab started June 2015, and I find myself with a flexible, productive schedule as I operate my own business. Business expansion will allow for more flexibility with hours of service as well as types of interventions available to our clients.”

For others, like Jackie Davin, CDRS of EMBRACE Mobility Services, PLLC, the program allowed her to focus on what truly matters. “I get to focus on the people in front of me without the rush, time pressure, or racing pace, and structure my day and time to what really matters: the people.”

Jessie Alexander, a DRS and the owner of Adaptive Independence Missoula, emphasizes the impact on her clients. “I love introducing a new piece of equipment to a client and watching in real time as the equipment changes their relationship with driving, from scary or uncertain to confident and independent! The feeling never gets old.”

Megan Frazier, DRS of HD Driving School, adds, “We provide driving training and evaluations to clients across the driving lifespan to maximize community independence.”

Tara Harper, a CDRS from Driving Solutions of Tennessee, highlighted the specialized, medically-based work she now offers in-part because of Adaptive Mobility’s program. “I am currently conducting medically-based driver evaluations and providing low-tech adaptive equipment training in the middle Tennessee area. I started with my first client in 2021, and it has been over four years since I began my entrepreneurial journey!”

Students all across the United States who went through Adaptive Mobility Services’s Driver Rehab Specialist educational program have had amazing things to share and gone on to accomplish brilliant things.

Across the Globe

One of the most amazing examples of Adaptive Mobility’s reach comes from Abdullah Alhussanan, a DRP in Saudi Arabia. Abdullah sought the training while he was visiting the United States to meet an important need in his home country. He said, “In my country, we don’t have many driver rehabilitation services . . . There are only three occupational therapists I know who got involved with driving rehab training, and we are over 1,500 occupational therapists . . . And so I would tell [every OT who might be interested], do it. We need you!”

Abdullah shared some memorable experiences he had with Susie Touchinsky, the owner of Adaptive Mobility Services. He shared, “There were many funny moments, like I skipped a stop sign. I was distracted. I was trying to focus on the hard controls, then suddenly [Susie said], ‘Oh, and you skipped the stop sign!’ . . . I looked at the rear mirror, and I saw the stop sign behind me.” He emphasized that despite his mistake, Susie was always kind and helpful, seeing the best in each of her wonderful OT students.

Despite the challenges, Abdullah is working toward bringing driver rehab services to Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the clinical importance and the community impact of the speciality. He said, “This experience will make a difference to these people’s quality of life and help them get back into moving in the community.”

Take the Wheel: Start Your Journey

Adaptive Mobility’s DRS training is more than just a couple courses. It’s a real journey for OTs to grow their careers, help people get their independence back, and fill a huge need in communities all over the world. The training gives you both the knowledge and the hands-on experience you need to succeed, whether you want to help people in your area or make a difference around the world like Abdullah.

Adaptive Mobility’s OT-to-DRS training gives occupational therapists the knowledge, guidance, and hands-on experience they need to help people change their lives. Your clients and your future practice will be grateful. Learn more about our courses today!