This year, Driving to Independence (DTI) celebrates an incredible milestone—24 years of helping individuals achieve their driving goals and independence on the road! To mark this special occasion, we sat down with Jenny, the owner of DTI, who has made an indelible impact on the field of driver rehabilitation. Here’s an inside look at her journey, her passion for driving independence, and how DTI has grown into what it is today.
Interview:
Can you tell us a bit about your background and what led you to pursue a career in occupational therapy and driver rehabilitation?
My background in occupational therapy started when I was about 8 years old. I volunteered at a preschool that specialized with children with down syndrome. I was hooked!
What motivated you to start Driving to Independence, and how has your vision for the company evolved over the years?
I started Driving to Independence in 2001 after identifying the need in my community. I was seeing patients in a large acute and outpatient rehab center. My vision for Driving to independence was to serve my clients the best way I could. For me that included respect, ethics, innovation, and as economically feasible as possible. However, within 2 years I knew Driving to Independence had the potential to be larger than just me. Today, we operate in 3 locations, 2 states and have a full professional staff with great support staff to serve our clients.
Could you explain the different types of assessments you offer at Driving to Independence, and who would benefit from each?
The majority of assessments we provide are Comprehensive Driver Assessments. This is a typical assessment to determine a driver’s safety or adaptive equipment needed following a diagnosis or condition that may have affected how they drive.
Over the years we have identified additional assessments to benefit our clients.
The Potential to Drive assessment has been designed for potential drivers who are not sure of their skills. This assessment is completed prior to receiving their instruction permit. Our therapists are able to provide feedback on the individual’s potential for success at the time of the assessment or recommendations to improve skills to become an improved candidate for safe driving.
A Senior Safety Assessment is designed for older adults who do not have a medical diagnosis, but are seeking a professional opinion on how they drive.
How do you approach creating a personalized plan for someone seeking adaptive driver training? What factors do you consider when developing their plan?
Each driver is unique and deserves a personalized plan for their success. This can include ensuring the adaptive driving equipment is compatible with their personal vehicle. Providing recommendations for vehicles if their current vehicle is not appropriate for their new driving situation. Adapting routes to ensure clients are skillful in specific driving maneuvers they will encounter. We try to accommodate client work and school schedules as much as possible to make sure we have consistent training sessions to develop skills.
Can you describe the process a person would go through when they come to Driving to Independence for an assessment? What are some key steps involved?
Our Client Coordinators are always happy to discuss our program and answer any questions specific to their situation. Beyond answering questions we need a prescription from a medical provider for the driving assessment. Once that is received our client coordinator will complete an intake and find a convenient appointment time for the assessment and/or follow up training.
What advice do you have for someone who may be hesitant or anxious about pursuing adaptive driving training?
Starting something new, especially a driving assessment, can feel intimidating. At Driving to Independence, we focus on what it takes for each person to become a safe and independent driver. If adaptive equipment is needed, we collaborate with mobility dealers and the state licensing agency to ensure proper licensing after training. Our client coordinators are available to answer questions and help ease any concerns. Often, a simple conversation can make all the difference in alleviating the fear of the unknown.
What future developments do you see in the field of driving rehabilitation, and how is Driving to Independence preparing for these changes?
Technology continues to enhance the equipment options we have to offer our clients. This can include technology related to the vehicles themselves, the adaptive equipment recommended, assessment tools, funding options and how we deliver services. Our therapists have always made it a priority to keep up on the most up-to-date technology or techniques. We have been committed to our therapists achieving and maintaining credentials through continuing education within our industry. This ensures we are up to date and can pass knowledge and advice to our clients.
As the owner of Driving to Independence, what are your hopes for the future of the company and the broader field of adaptive driving?
At our 24th anniversary, Driving to Independence has already far surpassed any expectations I had! However we will continue to provide quality services to our clients, expand our services for new programs as well as locations. It is important people are able to be independent in their communities for employment, caring for children, accessing their healthcare and simply running errands.
Our industry must continue to educate quality individuals to provide driver rehab services. This includes membership to our national organization, following best practices for driver rehab specialists and participating in quality education. As an industry we must improve access to these qualified driver rehab specialists especially in the western United States and rural areas of our north America.
For those living outside Arizona or New Mexico, what resources or organizations would you recommend they explore to get started with adaptive driving training?
The Association for Driver Rehab Services has a provider locator on their website (www.ADED.net). With this resource, members can be located throughout North America. In addition, healthcare professionals in the local community should be aware of resources even if they are not in the immediate area. If vehicle modifications are needed to operate the vehicle, talking to a local mobility equipment dealer would be helpful to locate a driver rehab specialist.
How do you balance the technical and emotional aspects of your work, helping clients both physically and mentally as they work toward regaining their driving independence?
Advancements in technology have made it possible to overcome many physical challenges when it comes to driving. However, higher-tech solutions often come with higher costs. That’s why we stay informed about funding options and continually seek additional resources to support our clients.
The reality is that not everyone can—or should—continue driving. Transitioning to driver retirement can be a difficult and emotional process. We believe empathy is key in this journey, and we are committed to providing the necessary resources and support to help individuals navigate this transition with dignity and confidence.
Can you talk a bit more about the collaboration between driving rehabilitation professionals and other healthcare providers like physical therapists or physicians in a person’s adaptive driving journey?
There are times when a client may not be ready to drive or may need medical intervention or a procedure to enhance their safety behind the wheel. When this happens, we work closely with other professionals to coordinate these services, always keeping the ultimate goal of safe and independent driving in mind.
Finally, what would you say to someone who is just beginning their journey toward driving independence and may feel unsure or overwhelmed by the process?
I would encourage anyone overwhelmed by this process to call and speak with us. We can answer each of the questions you have related to your specific situation.
Conclusion
Jenny’s passion for driving independence is the backbone of Driving to Independence, and it’s her dedication to helping others achieve mobility that has made this organization a trusted resource for many. Whether you’re in Arizona or New Mexico, or seeking out similar services elsewhere, we are here to provide guidance and support.
At DTI, we are committed to helping you achieve your driving goals, and we’ll be with you every step of the way. Here’s to 24 years of helping individuals regain their independence on the road, and to many more to come!
Ready to start your journey toward independence? Reach out to us today and become a part of the Driving to Independence story!