Driver Rehabilitation Services
Establishing Independence in Driving
Freedom & Mobility provides driver rehabilitation services for drivers looking to begin, continue, or resume driving due to injury, illness, medical conditions, or typical aging.
Through a variety of services, we consult, evaluate and educate seniors and individuals with disabilities for safe driving solutions. Whether you have a family concern or were referred by a doctor, we coordinate with physicians and the Department of Driver Services (DDS) as needed to provide an expert opinion on best practices for driving. Our assessments and recommendations provide your loved one with a “just-right fit” driving solution that promotes independence and safety.
- We have a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist CDRS. Performing Behind the Wheel Driver Evaluations
- Driver Evaluations for new and experienced drivers
- Driver Training
- Adaptive Driving and Vehicle Fittings
- Teen Driver Online – Joshua’s Law resources
Our Driver Rehabilitation Process
At Freedom and Mobility, the first step in the process is the Driver Evaluation. A Driver Evaluation is a comprehensive evaluation of a person’s abilities and performance with driving. This can include a traditional vehicle or a vehicle with adaptive driving equipment such as hand controls and/or driving assistance devices.
A Driver Evaluation consists of a clinical assessment and an on-road assessment. The process usually takes three to four hours.
Once a Driver Evaluation is complete, the recommendations are reviewed with the client being assessed.
A variety of recommendations can be made for driving including:driving without restrictions,driving on a limited basis or with some restrictions, retiring from driving, driver training to develop skills, adaptive driving equipment, or vehicle modifications.
Driver Evaluations
This offers an extensive look at a person’s ability to safely and competently drive a vehicle. The evaluation includes both a clinical and on-road assessment.
The Clinical Assessment Includes
- Collection and review of medical and driving history
- Evaluation of physical, visual, memory, concentration, perceptual and behavioral abilities
- Lower extremity sensation testing and brake reaction timing
- Current functioning in home and community settings
- Balance and endurance screening
- Mobility device use (if required)
- Road rules and road sign review
- Understanding of client’s individual goals and concerns with driving
The On-Road Assessment Includes
- Ability to transfer in and out of vehicle and manage mobility device (as needed)
- Vehicle Handling Skills
- Applied Road Knowledge
- Applied Cognitive, Language, & Perceptual Skills
- Setup of appropriate adaptive equipment and assessment of performance with equipment
Recommendations are made to vendors for specific adaptive driving equipment, vehicle selection, and structural modifications as needed.
Driver Training
Driver training occurs following a Driver Evaluation where training is recommended. Training lessons are recommendedfor people who have disabilities and may need additional support to find a solution to becoming an independent driver. Clients must have a valid learner’s permit and/or license. Whether you are a new driver with a disability or learning to drive with adaptive equipment, our certified driving instructors at Freedom & Mobility will guide you on your journey to independent driving.
Skills We Teach During Training
- Defensive Driving Techniques
- Decision-Making Techniques
- Traffic Sign Knowledge
- Road Rule Application
- Basic Vehicle Knowledge &Handling
- Proper Mirror &Seat Positioning
- Lane Changing &Merging
- Starting &Stopping
- Steering &Complex Turns
- Speed Control
- Parking &Backing Up
- Highway Driving
- Improved Scanning and attention Techniques
FAQs
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Adaptive Driving
Our adaptive driving services aim to grant independence to disabled drivers through technology. As members of ADEDand NMEDA, Freedom & Mobility stays on top of the latest technology in the industry in order to better serve our clients. After completing our Driver Evaluation, our team will determine the equipment best suited to the driver’s needs.
We want your modified vehicle to be the right investment for your family in every way. With our expertise and dedicated time, Freedom & Mobility takes the steps necessary to assess the driver and recommend the proper vehicle options
Freedom & Mobility partners with the industry’s top equipment manufacturers to provide the best-suited options for every client. Our adaptive driving control options are safe, reliable, and easy to operate with training. These products can include:
- Controls: Hand controls are a great solution for people driving with leg impairments such as neuropathy, amputation, or paralysis. These are traditional push/pull, push/rock, or push/twist from a variety of manufacturers.
- Steering Knobs and/or Attachments for Hand Placement on the Wheel
- Left-Foot Accelerator: If a driver has weakness on the right side of their body after a stroke, this would be a suitable option.
- Back Up Camera
- Manual &Electronic Secondary Control Modifications
- Variable Effort Steering
- & Steering Wheel Extensions: This equipment makes easy driving possible for people with height limitations.
Adaptive Driving – Vehicle Fitting
Largest variety of driving vehicle systems in the Southeast.
Our program prides itself on our vehicles and we offer a selection of adaptive driving options to allow clients the ability to try out and identify the ideal equipment needs and setup for them.
Teen Drivers Online – Joshua’s Law
New Drivers and Teens
If your first-time driver is applying for their Georgia Driver’s License, they must complete and pass three phases of licensing before receiving a full unrestricted license. The Teenage & Adult Driver Responsibility Act requires an Instructional Permit (CP),Provisional Driver’s License (Class D), and Class C License.
The Basic Requirements to Receive a Provisional Driver’s License (Class D):
- You must be at least 16 years old
- You must have held a Class C Learner’s Permit (Instructional Permit) for at least 1 year and 1 day
- You have had no major violations that resulted in the suspension of your learner’s permit
- You must complete Joshua’s Law requirements LINK (https://dds.georgia.gov/joshuas-law-requirements)
At Freedom and Mobility, we offer an online training option to meet the Joshua’s Law requirements for the State of Georgia. With our online program you can complete your 30 hours of online classroom instruction for only $69 using our link below:
In order to verify the required documentation that will be needed and the restrictions associated with each phase of this three-step educational process, you may consult the following pages on the Georgia Department of Driver Services Website.
Our licensed online driver education program not only meets but also exceeds the Georgia DDS requirements. It is equivalent to taking a traditional “brick and mortar” driver education course, but our program allows you to complete it anytime from anywhere you have internet access. Your instructor will be available through email and live chat to answer any questions.
In order to verify the required documentation that will be needed and the restrictions associated with each phase of this three-step educational process, you may consult the following pages on the Georgia Department of Driver Services Website.
Accreditations
- State of Georgia Licensed Driving School
- ADED (The Association for Driving Rehabilitation Specialists)
- NMEDA (National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association)
Schedule Your Consultation
Find Independence with Freedom & Mobility
Freedom & Mobility exists to help families like yours find the right paths to gaining independence on the road. Give us a call today at 770-514-9957 or fill out our contact form to get in touch with our professionals.
With our adaptive driving training and evaluation, your loved one can find the Freedom and Mobility needed to drive safely. We’re looking forward to hearing from you and helping your loved one reach their adaptive driving goals.