I grew up in the upper Midwest and attended the University of North Dakota for my degree in Occupational Therapy.  After 20+ years of snow, wind and cold I was ready to never see snow again!  Moving to Arizona brought me closer to my parents and nearly eliminated the chance of snow.

I enjoyed working in two major hospitals in the Phoenix metro area over the next 10 years including inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation.  This experience demonstrated to me the innate human desire for independence.  With limited resources for driver rehabilitation in Arizona I set out to open an occupational therapy private practice specializing in adaptive driver rehabilitation.  This road has let me in so many directions including expanding our practice to Tucson, Albuquerque, NM and Las Vegas, Nevada.  I have earned the credential as a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) and have also served two presidential terms for the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED).  I have been privileged to speak on driver rehab and this unique area private practice at local universities as well as local and national professional conferences.  However, speaking to small groups to discuss the adaptive equipment options available will always be my favorite audience.

My personal time is hopefully balanced between my time with family including my 2 sons which also happen to be my favorite people on earth, and parents as well as so many friends.  You may find me on my favorite running route, traveling or reading.  Whatever it happens to be is what makes me happiest in that moment.

In 1995 I received my Bachelor of Science in Recreation Management and Leisure Studies with an emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from Arizona State University.

My career has focused on brain and spinal cord injury rehabilitation and assisting clients in becoming as independent as possible.  While working within the acute rehabilitation settings I introduced patients to the possibility of returning to work and community activities through therapeutic community reintegration outings.   Adaptive driving is a key part of this community reintegration.

I was honored to be recognized as a spinal cord injury specialist by Banner Good Samaritan Rehabilitation Institute in 2006 and to be presented the Outstanding Professional award in 2009 by the Arizona State Therapeutic Recreation Association.

In May 2010 I made a leap by joining Driving To Independence to concentrate on independent and safe driving for individuals with disabilities.  I received the credential of a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) after successful completion of the required exam in 2011.  Driving assessments and training to become independent in the community is my passion for our clients.   I often say the process of identifying appropriate equipment for persons with physical differences is like putting a puzzle together and my job is to put the puzzle together without hammering in the corners.  I have connected with many professionals locally and around North America to raise our high-tech driving program to an advanced level.

I am a nearly lifelong resident of Mesa.  I enjoy swimming, photography, boating, fishing and time with my family and friends.

I received a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy (OT) with a Minor in Psychology in 2011 from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. After working in more “traditional” Occupational Therapy settings for 4 years, I decided to pursue the specialty of driver rehabilitation. A client once told me, “you never know how much you appreciate being able to drive until the ability to do so is taken away from you.” Being able to drive largely impacts one’s independence from being able to go to work, attend school, run errands, and even visit family and friends without having to rely on others. It is such a rewarding feeling to be able to assist someone in regaining this level of independence and one I am grateful to be a part of.

I joined Driving to Independence in October 2015 and have experience in working with a variety of ages, driving experience levels, and medical/vision conditions. I have found a passion about the role of OT within the Driver rehab field and the expertise, skills, and support that an OT can provide to clients within this setting.

I am a Board-certified occupational therapist (OT) through NBCOT and am actively licensed as an OT through the state of Arizona. I successfully achieved certification as a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) in August 2017.

Since joining the Driving to Independence team, I have been involved in various professional development activities. I am an active member of the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) and currently serve on the Leadership Committee for the organization. I actively participate in continuing education and enjoy mentoring Occupational Therapy students and other therapists in the community on the role of driver rehabilitation. I look forward to working with you and helping you meet your driving goals.

I was born and raised near Detroit, Michigan. In my spare time I enjoy hiking, playing with my son, traveling, camping, and trying new restaurants. I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2015 with a Bachelor of Health Sciences and a Master of Occupational Therapy.

I am a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist in the state of Arizona. I hold additional credentials as a Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, Craniosacral Therapist, and Driving Instructor in the state of Arizona. I am thrilled to be sitting for the board exam to become a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist in 2023. I moved from Michigan to Lake Havasu City, Arizona in 2015 and began my career as an Occupational Therapist working in diverse practice settings including: acute care, outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing, and hospice. I then spent six years in the field of pediatric Occupational Therapy, where I developed a deep passion for working with individuals on the Autism Spectrum and their families.

I joined the Driving to Independence team in 2021 and have found my “happy place”, where I strive to blend my diverse clinical experience with a love for helping individuals gain or regain independence through enhanced community mobility. I take joy in developing collaborative and meaningful relationships with my clients and their families, as we navigate the significant transitions that occur both at the beginning and end of one’s journey as an independent driver.

For over 30 years, I have provided inpatient, outpatient, and community based Occupational Therapy services to clients who have experienced neurologic injuries and illnesses and partnered with them to recover function, redefine meaning, and pursue their highest quality of life. I’ve enjoyed working with clients in both traditional academic medical systems in California, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia, as well as non-traditional settings providing neurobehavioral treatment, vocational evaluations, and return to work plans, driven by my client’s desires to adapt, and thrive in the midst of adversity. In 2016 I was recognized by The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey with the Humanitarian in Healthcare award for my facilitation of patient centered interdisciplinary care in underserved communities.

After connecting with Jenny Nordine, the Driving to Independence team, and the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, I felt empowered and supported to transition into Driver’s Rehabilitation, moved to Tucson, and am now enjoying the desert blooms and breath-taking sunsets! I have three wonderful adult children and two new daughters-in-law who have enriched our family. I meditate daily, swim frequently, enjoy trying new cuisines with friends, and get away on longer meditation retreats as my schedule allows.

I am currently licensed in Arizona with the Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners and am certified by the Arizona Department of Transportation to offer Professional Driver Training to individuals seeking to operate a standard or specially equipped motor vehicle.

I look forward to working with you on your journey into driving, driving modifications, or mobility adaptations.

Hello, my name is Jon Sarli and I am a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist and an Occupational Therapy Assistant with Driving To Independence. I have been in the field of occupational therapy for 7 years with two of these years being a DRS.  I have practiced occupational therapy at skilled nursing facilities and rehabilitation centers around New Mexico. I received an Associates of Science degree and completed my Occupational Therapy Assistant program at Eastern New Mexico University of Roswell. I received a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree from Eastern New Mexico University.

It has always been my dream to become a driver rehabilitation specialist once I became an occupational therapy assistant.  I always had a passion for assisting individuals with disabilities and helping them overcome the challenges in their daily lives.  The reason why I wanted to become a DRS is because it would provide me an opportunity to assist individuals with disabilities with my other two passions of driving and automobiles. I feel that driving provides us with abundant amount of independence, and it is so fulfilling to assist my clients in becoming safe and competent drivers. When I am not assisting my clients I enjoy rock climbing, attending motorsports events, cars and coffee, and drinking coffee at local coffee shops. I can’t wait to assist you in becoming a safe and independent driver