by Bill Koeblitz

Life after a spinal cord injury is never the same. Often one of the final steps in regaining independence is returning to driving according to Disaboom, the largest online community for people with disabilities. Driving frequently leads to being able to return to work, school, and leisure activities. As with other activities of daily living already re-learned, training and adaptive equipment is required to be safe and successful.

The first step is to have a driving evaluation. A driver rehabilitation specialist will first determine if driving is a realistic goal; not everyone is able to drive again. If driving is not the goal, they will assist you in finding alternative modes of transportation.

Ideally, this evaluation would be completed by a certified driver rehabilitation specialist.
To find an appropriate driver rehabilitation specialist visit The Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) website at aded.net. This website can be utilized to locate ADED members in the same state and identify if there is a certified driver rehabilitation specialist nearby.

The comprehensive driving evaluation should include both a clinical evaluation and a behind the wheel evaluation. The clinical evaluations assess visual, perceptual, cognitive, and physical abilities. That, in conjunction with the behind the wheel assessment will help determine if driving is a realistic goal, and if so, what driver training and adaptive driving equipment is needed to achieve this goal.

Most individuals who have sustained a spinal cord injury will need a set of mechanical hand controls and a steering device, such as a spinner knob. There are multiple types of mechanical hand controls. The equipment attaches directly to the vehicle's gas and brake pedals, and allows the driver to operate the gas and brake using their hand instead of their feet. All mechanical hand controls operate the brake by pushing the control toward the dashboard. The method to depress the gas pedal differs depending on the manufacturer. The driver rehabilitation specialist will determine which type works best for you, taking into account your functional ability, size, and vehicle type.

If the person has decreased functional use of their arms, more complex equipment may be needed for them to safely accelerate, brake, and steer the vehicle. Individuals with greater loss of function will require more high-tech equipment. Visit Disaboom for more information on this type of equipment.

Whether the person is able to return to driving or not, choosing the appropriate vehicle to meet their needs is critical to regaining independence. Buying your first adaptive vehicle can be an intimidating process, but resources such as Disaboom, can help sort through all the steps. Visit www.disaboom.com for more information.