'11 New England Traffic Safety Education Association(NETSEA) Convention / Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists(ADED) Northeast Meeting - Pre-Conference / Pre-Meeting Workshop
3 Hours - High Tech Van Assessment and Training
by: Donald F. Sampson, CDI, CDRS, Central Massachusetts Safety Council
Participants were shown a van(adapted for wheelchair access), and equipment(steering devices and mechanical hand controls).
Participants were also shown servo motor systems, and alternative devices to access secondary controls.
Examples were discussed for equipment use.
After the three hour classroom session, there was a one hour hands-on session in a minivan adapted with a
Joystick for controlling the gas, brake, and steering. Secondary and tertiary controls were handled with a touch-pad.
Examples were discussed for equipment use.
'10 Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Convention
3 Hours - From Data to Decisions: What Physicians Want in a Driving Rehabilitation Report
by: Anne Dickerson, Ph.D., OTR/L, FAOTA
& : Elin Schold-Davis, OTR/L, CDRS
& : David Carr, MD
3 Hours - Return to Driving Following ABI[Acquired Brain Injury] - The Continuum of Care.
by: Michelle Luther-Krug, COTA/L, SCADCM, CDRS
& : Matt Abisamra, OTR/L, CDRS, CDI
& : John Anschutz, BS, ATP, RET
& : James Kennedy, CDRS
& : Eugenia Herbst, OTR/L
& : Suzanne Wolfe, OTR/L
2 Hours - Taught a "Coaches Corner"
Behind-The-Wheel Assessment & Training
3 Hours - Clinical Driving Simulators For Driver Evaluation and Training
by: Johnell O. Brooks, Ph. D.
& : Doug Evans, MS
& : Leah Belle. OTR/L, CDI, CDRS
3 Hours - Case Studies: Driver Rehabilitation Products and their Application
by: Access Unlimited, ACE Mobility, Adapt-Solutions, Advanced Therapy Products, B & D Independence Co. Inc., Braun Ability, Bruno,
Creative Controls Inc., Crescent Industries, Doran Precision Systems, Inc., Drive Master, Inc., DriveABLE Assessment Centers Inc., Drive Safety Inc.,
Driving Systems, Inc.(DSI)/ Menox, ELDorado National, EZ Lock Inc, Freedom Sciences, General Motors, Goshichi, Guido Simplex, Howell Ventures Ltd.,
IDS, KEMPF, MPS Corporation, Mercury Dynamics, Mobility Productions and Design(MPD), Mobility Works, Nor-Cal Vans, Permobil Inc.,
Q'straint, Simulator Systems International(SSI), Stereo Optical Co. Inc., SureGrip, Veigel NA, VMI.
Including : As a mentor, had mentee and self test drive the KEMPF DARIOS(Digital Accelerator Ring Optimized For Speed)
3 Hours - Detailed Adaptive Driving Aids and Testing Equipment Demonstrations by representatives
From : The Braun Corporation
& : Stereo Optical Company
& : Veigel NA's Mobility Products and Design(MPD)
& : Bruno Abilities
& : Manufacturing and Production Services Corporation(MPS)
16 Hours - The Impact of Disabilities, Vision, and Aging and Their Relationship to Driving
by: Mary Schwartz, OTR, CDRS
& : Michele Luther-Krug, COTA/L, SCADCM, CDRS
'08 Mercy College Sponsored Program
3.5 Hours - Received training and became certified as a CarFit Technician.
'08 Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Convention
3 Hours - Case Studies: Driver Rehabilitation Products and their Application
by: Access Unlimited, Adapt-Solutions, Adaptive Driving Alliance, AOTA, B & D Independence Co. Inc.
Braun Ability, Bruno Independant Living Aids, Crescent Industries, Doran Precision Systems, Inc., Drive Master, Inc.
Driving Systems, Inc.(DSI)/ Menox, Electronic Mobility Controls, LLC(EMC), ELDorado National, EZ Lock, Inc.
Freedom Lift Corp., General Motors, Howell Ventures, Ltd., KEMPF, MPS Corporation, Mobility Productions and Design(MPD)
NMEDA, Nor-Cal Vans, Permobil Inc., Q'straint, Simulator Systems International(SSI), Stereo Optical Co. Inc., SureGrip, Sure-Lok, Inc.
View Point Mobility, LLC, VMI.
3 Hours - Switching to Secondaries
by: Carol Blackburn, OTR/L, CDRS
& : Susan Pierce, OTR/L, CDRS, SCDCM
& : Tom Egan, Access Unlimited
& : Rex Bradbury, Crescent Industries
3 Hours - Improving Insight about Driving: Using Using Motivational Interviewing in the Clinic, in the Simulator, and in the Car
by: Erica Stern, PhD, OTR/L
& : Joette Zola, OTR/L
& : Elin Schold Davis, OTR/L, CDRS
3 Hours - Principles of Traffic Safety
by: James Whetstone, MA, CDRS, RRP, (C)OACCPP
3 Hours - Case Studies: Driver Rehabilitation Products and their Application
by: Access Unlimited, Adapt-Solutions, Adaptive Driving Alliance, AOTA, B & D Independence Co. Inc.
Braun Ability, Bruno Independant Living Aids, Crescent Industries, Doran Precision Systems, Inc., Drive Master, Inc.
Driving Systems, Inc.(DSI)/ Menox, Electronic Mobility Controls, LLC(EMC), ELDorado National, EZ Lock, Inc.
Freedom Lift Corp., General Motors, Howell Ventures, Ltd., KEMPF, MPS Corporation, Mobility Productions and Design(MPD)
NMEDA, Nor-Cal Vans, Permobil Inc., Q'straint, Simulator Systems International(SSI), Stereo Optical Co. Inc., SureGrip, Sure-Lok, Inc.
View Point Mobility, LLC, VMI.
7 Hours - Demystifying the Liability of a Driving Program
by: Susan Pierce, OTR/L, CDRS, SCDCM
& : Carol Blackburn, OTR/L, CDRS
'07
MIT AgeLab Conference
3 Hours - At the Crossroads: Caregiving, Dementia & The Driving Decision
With opening, moderating, and closing remarks by: Joseph Coughlin, Ph.D. - MIT AgeLab
1) Introductory Remarks
by: Laura Molnar, Assistant Vice President, Client Management at The Hartford - Manages the company's relationship with AARP.
2) The Severity of Alzheimer's Disease Today and Tomorrow
by: Harry Johns, MBA - President and CEO of the Alzheimer's Association
3) Clinical and Research Issues on Dementia and Driving: What Have We Done and Where Are We Going?
by: David Carr, M.D. - Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine
4) Caregiving and the Driving Decision: The Development and Evaluation of an
Educational and Support Program for Caregivers of Drivers with Dementia
by: Robert A. Stern, Ph.D. - Boston University School of Medicine
& : Jodi Oleshevski, M.S. - The Hartford
& : Lisa A. D'Ambrosio, Ph.D. - MIT AgeLab
5) Welcome, Congratulations on this Work, and Thank-you For Coming
by: Susan Hockfield, Ph. D. - President, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
6) Driving and Dementia: The Role of Occupational Therapy
by: Elin Schold Davis, OTR/L, CDRS - American Occupational Therapy Association
7) Release and Presentation of:
At the Crossroads: Family Conversations about Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia & Driving
At the Crossroads: The Course on Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia and Driving
by: Robert A. Stern, Ph.D. & Jodi Oleshevski, M.S. & Lisa A. D'Ambrosio, Ph.D.
'07 ADED Northeast Chapter Meeting
3 Hours - Ecologically Valid Driving Assessments
by: Rosamond Gianutsos, PhD, CDRS, FAAO - Cognitive & Driver Rehab Services
1) Standard clinical assessment screening tools (as typified in the AMA Physician's guide) and more ecologically valid alternatives.
2) The value of simulation.
3) The Behind-the-Wheel Assessment as ecologically valid but not psychometrically valid.
3 Hours - The Impact of 2008 Vehicle Models on The Industry
by: Staci Frazer, ADED President and representative of Ride-Away Handicap Eq. Corp. & Robert Smith, G.M. of Ride-Away Eq. Corp.
1) Virtual Exhibit Hall of New Equipment
2) New vehicle changes which will affect the way the CDRS must prescribe Adaptive Driving Aids.
3) New Adaptive Driving Aids for 2007 and 2008.
2 Hours - How NOT To Go Out With a Bang! -- Addressing the older driver issue.
by: Beth Rolland, OTR/L, CDRS - Kessler Rehabilitation, NJ
1) When will assistance (and what types of assistance) help the older driver continue driving.
2) When must we tell a driver it is time to stop driving.
'07 Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Convention
2 Hours - Up to Date Information on Available State of The Art Driving Mobility Equipment
by: Access Unlimited, Ahnafield Corp., B&D Independence Inc., Braun Ability, Bruno Indep. Living Aids
Creative Controls, Crescent Industries, Doran Precision Systems, Inc., Drive Master, Inc.
Driving Aids Development Corp.(DADC), Driving Systems, Inc.(DSI)/ Menox
Electronic Mobility Controls, LLC(EMC), ELDorado National,EZ Lock, Inc., Ford Mobility Motoring
Freedom Lift Corp., General Motors, Howell Ventures, Ltd., MPS, Mobility Productions and Design(MPD)
NMEDA, Nor-Cal Vans, Permobil, Q'straint, Simulator Systems International(SSI),Sure-Lok, Inc.
View Point Mobility, LLC, VMI, Volvo, Wright-Way, Inc.
2 Hours - Creative Configuration and Vehicle Selection
by: Rex Bradbury, Crescent Industries, Inc.
1 Hour - Understanding the Mobility Equipment Dealer Industry and Regulations
by: Dana Roeling, Executive Director - National Equipment Dealers Association(NMEDA)
& : Bob Nunn, President - National Equipment Dealers Association(NMEDA)
3 Hours - If You Don't See It, You Can't Control It.
by: Delvis Freeman, Med Training Specialist, Doran Precision Systems, Inc.
3 Hours - Can Motor and Process Skills be Accurately Assessed Behind the Wheel?
by: Dianna Robertson, BScOT, MScOT, CDRS
2 Hours - Transportation Safety for Wheelchair Seated Individuals
by: Linda va Roosmalen, PhD
1 Hour - Driving [and] The Elderly - tools to assess and screen the older driver
by: Dr. Rita G. Hamilton, O.D., F.A.A.PMR
7 Hours - Driver Rehabilitation: Evaluation and Treatment of Adolescents With Cognitive and Social Skill Limitations
by: Marian Watson Monahan, OTR/L, CDRS
'06 Driving Rehabilitation Symposium at Kessler Rehabilitation, NJ
The Impact of Visual-Vestibular Dysfunction on Driving
.75 Hours - An Overview of the Vestibular System by Joel Lehrer, MD (Otolaryngologist)
1.5 Hours - Visual-Vestibular Integration Dysfunction by Vincent Vicci, Jr., OD (Neuro-optometrist)
.75 Hours - Driving and Vestibular Dysfunction by Beth Rolland, OTR, CDRS (Clinical Specialist)
Hi-Tech Driving Systems Update
2 Hours - Hi-Tech Driving Systems update by Richard Nead, CDRS
1 Hour - Hi-Tech Driving Systems Demonstration and Hands-On Experience of The Scott System, EMC's EGB and AEVIT-W, IDS, and more.
Shelby Wells, Sales Rep. of Drive-Master Corporation and Carlos Saez, President of Independent Driving Systems (IDS), et. al.
'05 Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (Free standing seminar)
16 Hours - Fundamentals of Driver Rehabilitation seminar by Sally Sullivan, CDI, CDRS and Ann B. Havard LOTR, CDRS, ATP
'04 American Society on Aging
1 Hour - Senior Transportation Options: Problems and Solutions; a tele-conference by Helen Kerschner, Ph.D.
1 Hour - Medications and the Older Driver; a tele-conference by David Carr, MD
1 Hour - Dementia and Driving: Issues & Resources; a tele-conference by Nina Silverstein, Ph.D.
'02 Castle Point Campus of the Veterans' Administration's Hudson Valley Healthcare System Seminar
8 Hours - Elemental Driving Simulator / Driving Advisement System seminar by Rosamond Gianutsos, Ph.D., FAAO, CDRS
'02 Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists' Driving Rehabilitation Symposium through Kessler Rehab, NJ
3 Hours - Making the Most of Visual Resources for Driving by Dr. Vincent Vicci Jr., OD, P.A. and Beth Rolland, OTR, CDRS
.5 Hours - New Directions in Driving Assessment: Virtual Reality Technology by Maria Schultheis, Ph. D.
3 Hours - Driving From A Wheelchair - Van Assessment Options by Rich Nead, CDRS; and Sean McCarthy, MS, OTR/L
'01 Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists / New York State Rehabilitation Association Conference
3 Hours - Vision Problems & Acquired Brain Injury
1.5 Hours - Vehicle Modifications: A personal view and the need for Federal Standards
1.5 Hours - The Road to success - Vehicle Modification/ Driver Rehabilitation CT VR, CT DMV
'00 New York Sate Education Department's Vocational and Educational Services for Individuals with Disabilities Seminar
12 Hours - Vehicle (Modification) Inspector Training Seminar
'99 Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) Northeast meeting / New England Traffic and Safety Education Association Conference
3 Hours - Guiding Your Client Through the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) / Vocational Rehabilitation System
3 Hours - Comparative Licensing Practices for People w/ Disabilities
6 Hours - Disabilities And Their Implications For Driving -- A discussion of disabilities with related Adaptive Driving Aids and Training Strategies
'99 Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Convention
3 Hours - Driving Rehabilitation Of Drivers With Low Vision
3 Hours - Evaluation & Rehabilitation Of Drivers With Disabilities
3 Hours - Issues And Problem Solving During The Evaluation Process
3 Hours - Mechanical Applications Of Hi-Tech Driving Systems
7 Hours - Pre-Conference Workshop - Driving Controls For High Level Disabilities
Continuing Education non-credit courses from:
'10 A Webinar from from the people at www.autismspeaks.org
1 Hour - Growing up with Autism
by: Geraldine Dawson, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer at Autism Speaks
& : Connie Kasari, Ph.D., UCLA - Center for Autism Research and Treatment (CART)
& : John Elder Robison, Author of "Look Me In The Eye, My Life With Asperger's"
'10 IMPROV Online Traffic Safety School
6 Hours - Defensive Driving Course or Point Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP) (for the eleventh time);
'08
Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Convention.
1 Hour - Received one-on-one instruction from DSI's Rudy on The Scott System. Behind-The-Wheel experience in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
'99
Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists / New England Traffic and Safety Education Association Conference;
Syd Muzzy, TSE Coordinator, Vancouver, Washington
1 Hour -
'The Power of Influence"
'99
Dr. Eugene Bernal, White River Junction, VT
1 Hour - Vision and The Driving Task
'99
Wendy Cohen, Assistive Technology Specialist, NY State Education Department
1 Hour -
Driver Rehabilitation and Vehicle Modification Services in NY State's Vocational Rehabilitation Program
'99
DriveMaster, Inc.
16 Hours - Hands on instruction and experience using EMC's EGB, DS2000, Digi-Drive, Touch Pads, Digitone.
Discussions of ramps,
Lifts, Handdrive driving system, and various other vehicle modifications.
'99
Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Convention.
1 Hour - Received one-on-one Behind-The-Wheel instruction from DSI's Rudy on The Scott System.
I chickened out and would not leave the parking lot.
--/87 New Hackensack Fire Department -- Hurst Tool (Jaws-of-Life) use and Certification course
--/87 New Hackensack Fire Department -- Pump Operator's Course
--/86 New Hackensack Fire Department -- Officer's Training Course
10/86 Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY
Instructor's Refresher Course for NYS Prelicensing Course
--/84 Dutchess County Bureau of Fire -- Essentials of Firefighting
05/80 Westchester Community College, Valhalla, NY
Teaching Methodologies For Professional Driving Instructors
12/79 Center for Safety, Tarrytown, NY National Safety Council's Defensive Driving Instructor's Course
05/76 American National Red Cross - Albany NY Advanced First Aid / CPR
06/74 New York University, NY Driver Training For Automobile School Personnel I
3/80 - Present Meltzer's Driver Training Center, 44 Dorothy Heights Road, Wappingers Falls NY 12590, (845) 297-3966
Task Master - Performing all of the day-to-day operations of the business: sales, scheduling, accounting, record keeping, advertising, vehicle maintenance, vehicle purchase.
Driver Instructor - Teach unlicensed clients to perform the necessities to be a competent driver and pass the N.Y.S. Road Test. Refresh the driving skills of those with driver licenses. Some of the people I teach have mental, physical, or emotional disabilities (see Driver Concerns Encountered above). These students are sometimes taught at the request of, and with funding from, NYS VESID or ACCES.
Driver Evaluator - Take individuals with mental, physical, or emotional disabilities and decide their capacity to continue to drive or to learn to drive and, where applicable, give an estimate as to the amount of training time which may be required. This is sometimes done in conjunction with NYS VESID or ACCES (since 6/76).
Driver Teacher - Teach people with learning disabilities (one-on-one) the necessary information to pass the New York State Learner Permit written (or oral) test.
Technical Mechanic - Install Dual Brakes, Hand Controls and Left Foot Accelerators. Install some remote secondary control switches in my company's vehicles .
Students Range
Age: 16 years to 95 years
Height: 3'6" (107cm) to 7'3" (221cm)
Weight: 45 pounds (20.4kg) to 385 pounds (174.6kg)
IQ: 50 (documented) to 175 (stated)
I have taught people who have trekked about 500 miles (800 KM) to the North Pole.
I have taught people who have trekked about 700 miles (1100 KM) to the South Pole.
I have taught people who have climbed to the top of Mount Everest.
Okay, those last three feats were all by the same couple. (I think it's cool.)
Then there was the time - many, many moons ago - when I taught the Managing Editor of the People's Daily,
which was (and I believe still is) the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, published worldwide
with a daily circulation nowadays (2008) of 3 to 4 million. In addition to its main Chinese-language edition,
it has editions in English, Japanese, French, Spanish, Russian, and Arabic. To cover myself legally, let me
change that to, "I believe he said he was the Managing Editor of the People's Daily."
2/74 - 3/80 - Edward I. Meltzer Auto Driving School, Wappingers Falls NY - Changed owners (grin) 3/1980.
03/12 A student contacted me in November mentioning that she had not driven for quite some time and needed a brush-up lesson. She would need Zero Effort Steering and other Adaptive Driving Aids. I started the process and bought a new car. The company which would provide me with the Variable Effort Steering I would need to to provide her with Zero Effort Steering had parts on back order. There would be a wait. Months passed. I had it installed. She drove with me and used Zero Effort Steering, an On/Off Switch to turn off the airbag - she sat very close to the steering wheel, a remanufactured Platform Based Steering unit with a one inch knob so that she would have a three inch steering radius, and a push/right-angle set of hand controls with a five inch extension so she could reach it. She, subsequently, is driving her own car all over the place.
10/04 Worked to bring an experienced driver back to driving after her disability worsened further. We used a Dodge Grand Caravan Ramp-van with the Kneeling Function, EZ-Lock to let the driver drive from her wheelchair, Push/Right Angle Hand Controls, Low Effort Brakes, "Zero Effort" Steering, The EMC AEVIT W-Series steering System with a 1 1/4 inch steering knob, Remotes for all secondary functions and HVAC.
04/99 - 05/99 In vehicle evaluation of two drivers, well experienced with adaptive devices, on Digidrive (AEVIT "J-Series"). Observed another in passenger seat doing the evaluation followed by myself in the passenger seat doing the observation and training. Prescribed complete Hi-tech vehicle modification needs for both.
03/99 - 09/99 Taught a new driver using DS2000 (AEVIT "W-Series"), OEM Gas and Brake, Digitone for secondary controls.
05/95 - 07/95 Brought an experienced driver back to driving after his disability worsened. His van was equipped with "Effortless" Steering, Low Effort Brakes, Push/Pull Hand Controls and a Lift, Wheelchair Lockdown and Transfer Seat for the driver.
02/94 - 03/94 Brought an experienced driver back to driving after her disability worsened. We used a Ramp-van with the Kneeling Function, EZ-Lock to let the driver drive from her wheelchair, Push/Right Angle Hand Controls, Low Effort Brakes, "Zero Effort" Steering, a 2" Ball Steering Wheel Spinner, Right Hand Directional, Wide Angle Rear View Mirror.
03/74 - Present Taught a variety of clients using a variety of equipment -- too numerous to enumerate completely.
A Letter from Matt Meltzer
Did Someone Mention disabilities, VESID, or ACCES?
Safe Driving Tips
The Matt Meltzer Guarantee (and other information)
How to Contact Matt Meltzer
Payments I Accept
The mandatory disclaimer Email: MDTCcdrs@aol.com
The services offered
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