Driving Rehabilitation Program

Many disabled people can enjoy the independence and convenience of having a driver's license. The Occupational Therapy Department at the University of Washington Medical Center conducts a program to evaluate and instruct individuals with disabilities for driving potential. Participants in the Driving Rehabilitation Program receive specialized drivers training, and if needed, assistance in the selection of adaptive equipment, and instruction in its use.

Who Is Eligible?

Any disabled person who applies to the program will be considered. Applicants must be physically stable, with a good driving record, and able to maintain good judgement in driving emergencies. The driving program evaluates persons with disabilities such as:

• Spinal Cord Injury
• Amputation
• Head Injury
• Cerebral Palsy
• Neurological problems
• Stroke
• Arthritis
• Muscular Dystrophy
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Alzheimer's Disease

How to Apply

A physician must refer applicants to the Driving Rehabilitation Program. To complete the referral process, the following materials must be forwarded to the Driving Rehabilitation Program:

• Physician's prescription
• Full medical history
• Psychological history
• Funding information
• Client's phone number and address

What Happens Next?

Once a physician refers an applicant to the program, he or she is evaluated by occupational therapists for basic abilities necessary for safe driving. During this assessment, the therapist considers the applicant's:

• Strength
• Attention
• Range of motion
• Reaction time
• Visual scanning
• Visual perception
• Coordination
• Transfers
• Visual acuity
• Learning ability
• Problem solving skills
• Direction following skills

Special Equipment

Clients with significant mobility or strength limitations can use the program's specially equipped vehicles, which offer reduced-effort steerting, pneumatic hand controls, touch button controls, and ramp/lift systems.

On-Street Training

The Program's occupational therapists are qualified on-street driving instructors who can help clients prepare for their license examinations with "hands-on" experience in a modified van or automobile.

Licensing

The Program does not license drivers. Upon completion of training, clients may arrange to use of the program's modified vehicles when they take the driver's examination required by the Washington State Department of Licensing.

Fees

Please call 206-598-5857 for current information about fees and a list of organizations that may be able to assist with driving instruction costs.

Contact Us

For more information, please call or write to:

Driving Rehabilitation Program Coordinator
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine
Division of Occupational Therapy
University of Washington Medical Center
PO Box 356490
Seattle, WA 98195-6490
Phone: 206-598-5857

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