Driving With Hand Controls in Michigan
What is driver rehabilitation?
Learning to drive with a disability.
Driver rehabilitation is a specialized field of occupational therapy that involves helping individuals who have experienced illness or injury that has affected their ability to drive. The goal of driver rehabilitation is to help these individuals regain the skills and confidence necessary to safely operate a vehicle.
Driver rehabilitation specialists work with individuals who have a wide range of conditions that affect driving ability, including physical disabilities, cognitive impairments, visual deficits, and age-related changes. They may assess the individual’s driving skills, recommend adaptive equipment or modifications to the vehicle, provide driver training and education, and offer strategies for safe driving.
Driver rehabilitation services may be provided in a variety of settings, including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and private clinics. Some driver rehabilitation programs also offer behind-the-wheel training to help individuals improve their driving skills in a safe and controlled environment. The ultimate goal of driver rehabilitation is to help individuals with disabilities maintain independence by safely operating a motor vehicle.
To learn more about driver rehabilitation or driving with hand controls in Michigan, view our frequently asked questions about driver rehabilitation or speak with a driver rehabilitation provider near you.
What is driver rehabilitation?
Driver rehabilitation refers to a comprehensive evaluation and training program aimed at helping individuals who have physical, cognitive, or sensory impairments to regain or improve their ability to drive a vehicle safely. The goal of driver rehabilitation is to assist individuals in making informed decisions about their driving ability and to provide them with the necessary skills and strategies to operate a vehicle safely. This may include education about adaptive equipment, vehicle modifications, and training on how to use these adaptations.
Additionally, driver rehabilitation may also involve testing and assessment of an individual's cognitive, physical, and visual abilities to determine their fitness to drive, and to identify any areas in which additional training or support may be required. The ultimate goal is to help individuals who are facing challenges to safely operate a vehicle and maintain their independence and mobility.
What is a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS®)?
A Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS®) is a professional who specializes in evaluating and treating individuals with medical or physical conditions that impact their ability to drive. These specialists typically have advanced training and experience in the field of driver rehabilitation, as well as knowledge of driving laws, vehicle modifications, and other relevant topics. They work with individuals with a wide range of conditions, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, stroke, and others.
The goal of a CDRS is to help individuals maintain or regain their independence and mobility by providing evaluations, recommendations, and training to help them safely operate a vehicle.
The CDRS certification is offered by the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED), which sets standards for the field and provides ongoing training and education to its members.
What is ADED?
ADED — The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists is a professional organization that represents individuals who specialize in working with individuals with disabilities to evaluate their driving skills and provide rehabilitation services. The mission of the ADED is to promote safe and efficient mobility for individuals with disabilities through education, advocacy, and the advancement of the driver rehabilitation specialist profession.
The organization provides its members with a variety of resources and opportunities, including educational events and workshops, a professional certification program, a peer-reviewed journal, and access to a network of professionals who are knowledgeable in the field of driver rehabilitation. ADED also works with government agencies and other organizations to advance policies and programs that support the needs of individuals with disabilities who require driver rehabilitation services.
What is a pre-driving screening?
A pre-driving screening is a clinical assessment conducted by a driver rehabilitation specialist. The assessment tests visual skills, reaction time, strength, range of motion, cognitive processing speed, memory, and basic driving knowledge.
What is involved in an on-the-road assessment?
For an on-the-road assessment, a driver rehabilitation specialist observes the driver's driving skills in a dual-controlled vehicle. The assessment may be conducted in a variety of settings. This may include a parking lot, and/or a light to heavy traffic road, including the expressway, if appropriate. If adaptive equipment is recommended, such as hand controls, the driver will have the opportunity try different equipment options to determine which solution will be the best fit.
Is training always required after an on-the-road assessment?
In almost all cases, additional training will be recommended after determing what adaptive equipment will provide the individual's best driving solution. The training provides the driver more practice using adaptive equipment and learning safe driving strategies prior to taking the required road test with the State of Michigan.
Does insurance cover the cost of driver rehabilitation?
Typically, health insurance (including Medicare and Medicaid) do not cover the cost of driver rehabilitiation. Options for possible funding sources include:
Auto no-fault insurance
Kelly's Kidz Foundation - Driving Grant for Teens
Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons
Michigan Crime Victim Compensation
Michigan Rehabilitation Services (MRS)
Michigan Workers' Disability Compensation Agency
US Department of Veterans Affairs
Driving & Disabilities
Learning to Drive with a Disability
Driving with a disability is possible. A driver rehabilitation specialist will be able to help you determine what adaptive driving equipment or vehicle modifications will be the best fit for you. Learn more about the products that are commonly used by people with disabilities to drive safely and maintain their independence.
Find a Provider Near You
Michigan Driver Rehabilitation Provider Directory
Are you ready to begin your driver rehabilitation journey? Take the first step by locating a driver rehabilitation provider near you. This directory lists providers in Michigan offering both pre-driving screenings and on-the-road training. Or you may consider consulting with a driver rehabilitation provider that offers pre-driving screenings only to help determine if on-the-road training is necessary for your situation.
Ingham County
Ingham County Medical Care Facility, Outpatient Therapy
3860 Dobie Road
Okemos, MI 48864
Phone: 517-381-6169
Fax: 517-574-4810
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Kent County
Mary Free Bed Driver Rehabilitation Program
360 Lafayette Avenue SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-840-8161
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Oakland County
Trinity Health Rehabilitation — Oakland Hospital, Outpatient Occupational Therapy
4428 Woodward Avenue
Suite 105
Pontiac, MI 48341
Phone: 248-758-7720
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Saginaw County
Ascension Field Neuroscience Institute
4677 Towne Centre Road
Suite 103
Saginaw, MI 48604
Phone: 989-497-3023
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Covenant HealthCare — Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
515 North Michigan Avenue
Saginaw, MI 48602
Phone: 989-583-2752
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Washtenaw County
University of Michigan Health — Briarwood MedRehab
355 Briarwood Circle
Building 4
Annn Arbor, MI 48108
Phone: 734-998-7888
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Wayne County
Therapeutic Rehabilitation and Vocational Training Center
37775 Pembroke Avenue
Livonia, MI 48152
Phone: 734-779-0717
Fax: 734-779-0727
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Northern Indiana
Memorial Hospital Outpatient Therapy Service
111 West Jefferson Boulevard
Suite 100
South Bend, IN 46601
Phone: 574-647-2600
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Northern Ohio
University of Toledo Outpatient Rehab Driving Program
3000 Arlington Avenue
Toledo, OH 43614
Phone: 419-383-5040
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
James R. Kesler, OTR/L, CDRS, CDI
Note: This information is provided by The Creative Mobility Group for assistance and reference purposes only—no endorsement is intended. The quality of service provided by others can only be assured by the supplying organization. Consumers should verify information and obtain complete references before beginning training. Verify Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) status with ADED.
Calhoun County
Drive Well Michigan
7 Heritage Oak Lane
Suite 1
Battle Creek, MI 49015
Phone: 269-544-3764
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Diane K. Andert, OTR/L, CDRS, CDI
Grand Traverse County
Northern Lights Rehabilitation
811 South Garfield Avenue
Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone: 231-942-4686
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Allison N. Schatjer, MOTRL, CDRS
Ingham County
Central Driving School — Special Driving Services, Inc.
3945 Okemos Road
Suite A-5
Okemos, MI 48864
Phone: 517-349-7990
Fax: 517-489-4781
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Kelby Lloyd, CDI, CDRS
Robert E. Reid, Ed.S., CDRS, CDI
Origami Brain Injury Rehabilitation Center
3181 Sandhill Road
Mason, MI 48854
Phone: 517-336-6060
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Heather Heppe, MS, OTRL, CDRS, CDI, CBIS
Kalamazoo County
Drive Well Michigan
5985 West Main Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
Phone: 269-544-3764
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Diane K. Andert, OTR/L, CDRS, CDI
Kent County
Automobility Driver Rehabilitation
2020 Raybrook Avenue SE
Suite 204B
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: 616-888-1788
Fax: 616-741-2310
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Clayton Jewell, OTR/L, CDRS
Macomb County
A&A Driving School — Drivers Rehabilitation Center of Michigan
51277 Celeste Drive
Shelby Township, MI 48315
Phone: 734-422-3000
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Gale B. Agar, OTR/L, CDI, CDRS
David Madonna, NCDI, CDRS
Laura V. Miller, OTR/L, CDI, CDRS
Timothy R. Senkbeil, OTR/L, CDRS, CDI
Oakland County
Beaumont Hospital, Neuro-Rehab
4949 Coolidge
Royal Oak, MI 48073
Phone: 248-665-5800
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Drive-Able, LLC
25900 Greenfield Road
Suite 505
Oak Park, MI 48237
Phone: 248-213-7244
Fax: 248-213-7245
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Cynthia Burt, OTR, CDI, CDRS
Official Driving School — Special Services Division
1026 East 11 Mile Road
Royal Oak, MI 48067
Phone: 248-548-8000
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Washtenaw County
VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System
2215 Fuller Road
Annn Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: 734-769-7100
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Tinette Chambers, OTR, CDRS
Wayne County
A&A Driving School — Drivers Rehabilitation Center of Michigan
19582 Middlebelt Road
Livonia, MI 48152
Phone: 734-422-3000
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
Gale B. Agar, OTR/L, CDI, CDRS
David Madonna, NCDI, CDRS
Laura V. Miller, OTR/L, CDI, CDRS
Timothy R. Senkbeil, OTR/L, CDRS, CDI
Wheel To Drive Driving School
430 Mack Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
Phone: 313-719-4335
Fax: 313-832-4781
Services Provided
Pre-driving screening
On-the-road training
Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
None
Note: This information is provided by The Creative Mobility Group for assistance and reference purposes only—no endorsement is intended. The quality of service provided by others can only be assured by the supplying organization. Consumers should verify information and obtain complete references before beginning training. Verify Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) status with ADED.