Vehicle Modifications 101 for Non-Driver Trained OTs
Feeling unsure how to support clients with vehicle access needs when you’re not driver-trained?
Not sure what your role is when it comes to NDIS vehicle modifications?
This high-impact workshop gives non-driver-trained OTs the confidence and clarity to contribute effectively to NDIS vehicle modification applications, without overstepping your scope.
Access workshop nowWhat will you learn?
- How to support clients who are passengers
- Your role as a non-driver-trained OT in vehicle modifications
- Key requirements in the NDIS vehicle modifications operational guidelines
- Understanding the vehicle modification process and compliance requirements
- Overview of common solutions (e.g., wheelchair stowage, transfer aids, hoists)
- What’s in vs out of scope for your assessment
- When and how to refer to an OT Driver Assessor
- Photos, documentation, and report tips for NDIS submissions
- Case study examples and practical resources
Who is this workshop for?
- Occupational Therapists working with NDIS clients who need vehicle access
- OTs who aren’t driver-trained but still support community mobility goals
- Early career or experienced OTs seeking clarity on scope and referral pathways
Why attend?
- Clarity on your responsibilities
- Knowledge of safe and appropriate solutions
- Guidance on what to document and how to describe value for money
- Confidence to collaborate with vehicle modifiers and OTDA professionals
Please Note:
This is not in-depth training to prescribe wheelchair accessible vehicles or modifications for drivers.
For driver-related vehicle modifications (especially where driving capacity or driver-operated stowage is needed), an OT Driver Assessor must be involved.
About the Presenter
Jenny Gribbin has been an OT since 2005 and was interested in the area of driving assessment from a pretty early stage; she completed the driving training in 2012 and started her business Driving Well Occupational Therapy in Brisbane in 2016 to be able to provide services to clients needing this service.
She loves being able to help people to be safe and independent, or to give them an opportunity to have their driving assessed. The rollout of the NDIS enabled many young people the opportunity to explore their potential to learn to drive, however driving OTs were struggling to work with this group – Jenny thought “there has to be a better way”.
The onset of COVID (with no on-road assessments due to social distancing requirements) gave Jenny time to investigate how driving OTs can better support this population (to either rule out driving or optimise chances of being successful), and together with Dr Miriam Monahan (Driver Rehab Institute in USA), she has pioneered a massive change in best practice across Australia with the “potential to drive” approach.
Jenny is the convenor of the OTA QLD driving interest group, runs workshops and training for driver-trained OTs, is sought after presenter for inservices and advice, and provides supervision for driving OTs. She had a crucial role in bringing the Drive Focus app to Australia and was a finalist for Best Assistive Technology product at the Australian Disability Services Awards and was the winner of the Technology award at the Australian Road Safety Awards for this work.
Jenny is excited about the future directions of the potential to drive space and seeing the results this approach is creating for young adults in Australia.
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Great to know what options there are as car mods are not in my scope but I want to know what options there may be. Some them like the transfer plate were within generalist OT scope which was great.
