Occupational Therapy Driving Service

Driving is a way of life in Australia, especially if you live in an area where you can’t get by without a car. Hitting the road also offers freedom and independence, so it’s understandable that many of us want to get our licence and keep driving for as long as possible.

Ability Action Australia has introduced a new Occupational Therapy Driving Service in Western Australia that supports NDIS participants with all their driving and transport needs.

The service offers:

• Driving assessments
  We assess your fitness to drive, to allow you to begin or return to driving, and to keep you driving for as long as it’s safe to do so. The assessment has two parts: an on-road assessment and an off-road assessment.Driving assessments are useful for: first time and learner drivers from before they start driving until they get their licence; drivers with a disability or medical condition that may affect their driving; and drivers who are returning to driving following an injury or medical condition that may require a vehicle modification.
• Driver rehabilitation and training
  As a result of the driving assessment, you may need driving lessons to regain confidence in driving, to update your driving skills, or to learn techniques to compensate for any gaps. We provide specialised driver training to support you to either obtain a driver licence, or maintain your ability to drive safely, independently and legally.
• Ergonomic vehicle assessments
  We set up your vehicle appropriately to ensure that it correctly meets your needs and is comfortable and safe. This will help with the best driving posture and improve your driving performance.
• Passenger assessments and vehicle modifications, including for wheelchair accessible vehicles.
  We also help people who don’t drive but who want to be safe in a vehicle. This may involve the trialling of various wheelchair accessible vans and modifications, such as hoists or lifts, to suit your needs. We’ll send a detailed report to the referrer and the NDIS.
• Medico legal reporting for your local driver licensing authority or employer. Following a positive assessment, we can provide documentation to show that you’re medically fit to drive.

Our people

Leading this service is Jen Blaxill, an experienced and registered driver trained occupational therapist based in Wembley, Perth. She’s completed specialised post-graduate training so that she can conduct driving assessments, and for the past two years Jen has worked exclusively in driving and vehicle modifications.

Driver trained OTs like Jen are the only health professionals qualified to conduct a practical on-road driving assessment of how a person’s disability or medical condition impacts their capacity to drive.

Our team of driver trained occupational therapists understand how important driving is to your life, and we’re committed to keeping you driving for as long as possible.

NDIS Occupational Therapy

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a way of supporting people with permanent and significant disability. The NDIS is designed to give individuals greater choice and control over when, where and how their funded supports are provided. The specific support and funding available is based on each individual’s specific needs. You can find out more about what therapeutic supports are funded by referring to the NDIS website.

Ability Action Australia has the capability to provide Occupational Therapy Australia wide.