A driver education handbook for instructors of persons with orthopedic disabilities

The purpose of this record of study was to develop a handbook for instructors of persons with orthopedic disabilities. To assist in gathering preliminary background information, the author participated in an internship at The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Houston, Texas. Further information was gained through telephone interviews, personal interviews, and on-site visits. To facilitate this development a review of current literature was conducted.; To assist with the analysis of the material in the handbook, an advisory panel was identified and subsequently requested to participate in the critique of the handbook. These panel members were recommended through the following sources: The American Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (ADTSEA), William Cushman, Executive Director; The Association of Driver Educators for the Disabled (ADED); the Virginia Department of Education, Arlene Cundiff, Supervisor of Driver Education; the Texas Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association (TDTSEA), Maurice Dennis, President; and the Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC), Roger Levy, Program Specialist, Rehabilitation Technology.; The major sections of the handbook include: (a) general recommendations to assist the instructor in adjusting current teaching strategies and developing new strategies; (b) listing of agencies which might assist financially or otherwise; (c) characteristics of persons with orthopedic disabilities and how these characteristics will affect driving; (d) federal legislation relating to driver education, as well as to the individual with disabilities; (e) suggested administrative guidelines; (f) listing and specific guidelines for manufacturers, distributors, modifiers and installers of adaptive equipment, vehicles, lifts and loaders; (g) descriptions of sample adaptive equipment; (h) sample forms to be used for assessment, evaluation, and recommendations; and (i) a resource list of publications.; The review from the advisory panel revealed that while the handbook was an excellent resource, it should not be used alone. It is recommended that the handbook be used in conjunction with in-service education training. Other recommendations include the addition of sections in the handbook to address hearing impairments, cognitive impairments, and cerebral palsy, methods of communicating with medical advisory boards, implications of prescribing equipment and performing training without training experience, and the development of a driver performance measurement.