Driving Mobility, the charity that coordinates ‘fitness to drive’ and mobility equipment assessment centres for the Department for Transport, will be offering OT-led CPD seminars on its exhibition stand at the OT Show – A50, NEC, 22–23 November 2023.
The CPD schedule this year will be:
1. ‘Hubs Mobility Advice Service – how do we keep connected in
the community?’
Date and times: 22 Nov – 10:30-10:45 and 12:30-12:45
Speaker: Amy Parnell, Occupational Therapist
Synopsis
Operated by Driving Mobility, the Hubs Service advises on accessible transport solutions that enable people to stay connected with their community and beyond, especially when driving is not an option. Hubs aims to do this through:
- Encouraging and enabling older drivers to consider a driving retirement plan
- Providing guidance on inclusive public transport options
- Signposting to local partners such as community transport schemes
- Travel ‘befriending’ and ‘buddying’ services
- Providing information on the legal rights of disabled passengers
- Offering advice on appropriate mobility equipment
Learning outcomes
Attendees will gain insight into how the Hubs Mobility Advice Service works with healthcare professionals to improve awareness of transport and travel options for clients with restricted mobility. The session will also explore how the Driver Retirement Plan is a working tool that can help avoid the trauma of driving cessation.
2. ‘The Driving Assessment Experience’
Date and times: 22 Nov – 11:30-11:45 and 14:30-14:45
Speaker: Emily Jane Else, Customer and Trainee Occupational Therapist
Synopsis
Emily from Swansea, an OT student with cerebral palsy, has been able to drive and hence attend University thanks to the South Wales Driving Mobility Centre. Emily will explain her experiences as a learner driver with a disability and how the Driving Mobility service benefited her both as a consumer and trainee healthcare professional.
Learning outcomes
Visitors will be able to understand Driving Mobility services in more detail – ranging from clinical assessments to guidance on vehicle adaptations and specialist driving tuition. Emily will highlight what this means to her in terms of independence and future career development.
3. ‘The Power of Early Powered Mobility’
Date and times: 23 Nov – 10:30-10:45 and 12:30-12:45
Speaker: Kate El Bizanti, Occupational Therapist
Synopsis
The session will increase awareness and knowledge of the benefits of powered mobility in young children through the Bugzi Powerchair Loan Scheme. Bugzi gives independence often for the first time.
Learning outcomes
- Beneficial evidence of providing powered mobility at an early age
- Powered mobility for young children is more than learning wheelchair skills
- Increased accessibility though our new ‘Schools Squad’
4. ‘The role of the OT in a Driving Assessment’
Date and times: 23 Nov – 11:30-11:45 and 14:30-14:45
Speaker: Clare Jones, Occupational Therapist (RDAC)
Synopsis
This CPD session will outline the role of occupational therapists in driving assessments. It will demonstrate how they provide cognitive and on-road assessments.
Learning outcomes
- Awareness of the steps an occupational therapist carries out during a client assessment
- The steps required to ascertain if a driver is safe to drive
- Awareness of assessment challenges in relation to different medical conditions
- Consideration of which vehicles and adaptations are most suitable
- Advice on obtaining a driving licence, theory tests and driving lessons
- Building confidence with a driving instructor
https://www.drivingmobility.org.uk/
https://www.hubsmobilityadvice.com/
#MyDrivingMobility #TheOTShow #TheOTShow2023