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.

Meet Our Driving Specialists

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

Q. How long does driver training take?

A. Training time differs based on a driver’s rate of progress, but typically, a brand-new driver will take 30 to 40 hours of training. Your experience may vary.

Q. What vehicles are used for the training? Do I need to bring my own?

A. Driver training is completed in our company vehicles.

Q. Who gives the driving lessons?

A. Driving lessons are given by our staff and they are certified driving instructors for the State of Georgia.

Q. Where does the driver training take place?

A. Driving students will be picked up by one of our certified driving instructors or meet at one of our office locations. Scheduled at your convenience.

A. First, you need to sign up for a Driver Evaluation with one of our certified occupational and/or Physical therapists. The evaluation will assess the individual’s current driving skills and abilities so that a personalized driver training plan can be created.

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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.

Accreditations

State of Georgia Licensed Driving School

ADED (The Association for Driving Rehabilitation Specialists)

NMEDA (National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association)

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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.