The world is still very much under the pandemic that the coronavirus has brought to us. But, the good news is, we here in South Australia are slowly recovering, and we hope the whole world is too. The team at Williams OT is starting to prepare for the new normal, not only for the team’s safety but most importantly, for our clients as well.
We have recently updated our COVID-19 policy here on our website. The best update is that we are restarting driving lessons from 1st of June. Check out what that means by clicking the button below
Driving Instruction Lessons
The road to recovery here in South Australia has been announced which includes the return of Driving Instruction Lessons very, very soon! So the return date will be on June 1st, given that we don’t have an outbreak of the Corona Virus from here on out.
As you may have already known, Williams OT is now offering Driving Lesson videos to help you out to learn driving from your own pace. Of course, learning from a driving instructor is still very much different and very much required. But for now, find out more by clicking the link below
Learn to Drive with Williams OT https://www.williamsot.com/learn-to-drive-with-williams-ot/
If you have any other questions surrounding helping clients with a disability and their driving, NDIS, vehicle modifications, and of course, driver assessments, please do let us know!
Wheelchair Access Vehicle Handover
This client and her partner are struggling with doing transfers like this multiple times a day. Getting back in the car is worse.
They can keep going like this and be at risk of injuring the husband.
We offered a great result through NDIS. We are so pleased that we can offer these to Williams OT clients. Our happy couple will now be able to fulfil their community mobility goals with this vehicle. Where do you think they’ll go on a road trip first?
Light Vehicle Assessments
We received this notification from DPTI:
On 8 May 2020, the State Government released a road map for easing COVID-19 restrictions. The road map indicated that, subject to public health assessment at the time, on 1st June 2020 driver training and assessment could recommence.
In response, from Monday 1 June 2020, DPTI will allow bookings for light vehicle assessments for the 8th of June 2020 onwards. The normal booking process through your Ezyreg account will be available.
It is highly recommended that at the conclusion of each training or assessment session and prior to undertaking another training or assessment session with another student, you disinfect the vehicle controls and door handles. It is also recommended that you download and activate the COVID Safe App.
While restrictions are gradually being lifted please be aware that if South Australia experiences a new spike of COVID-19 cases there is a real possibly that the State Coordinator will reintroduce restrictions.
In regards to the extension of your Motor Driving Instructors licence, consistent with the email sent to you on 21 April 2020, your MDI licence expiry date will be amended in accordance with the period that you have been prevented from operating due to the Stop the Spread COVID-19 restrictions.
If you have any enquiries regarding your Motor Driving Instructors Licence or appointment as an Authorised Examiner please direct them to the Dpti.drivertrainerenquiries@sa.gov.au.
If you or your client have any enquiries regarding obtaining their learners permit or licence please visit the Service SA website https://service.sa.gov.au/ or call 13 10 84 for assistance.
If you are a client of Williams OT and we have not yet got to you, please ring our office on 0466592891.
Changes to Learner Driving Practice
For our clients in Geelong and surrounding areas, this is great news.
Under the new directions, learner driving is now allowed and learner drivers can undertake supervised driving practice. Supervised drivers are full licence holders which may include family members, volunteer mentors and also qualified driving instructors. We’re currently developing a Return to Service plan and any decision to resume licence testing, including light vehicle drive tests, will be made in conjunction with advice from the Department of Health and Human Services
If you don’t already know, we have been recording video lessons for learner drivers to watch with their supervising drivers and then apply these skills to their learning on the road.
You can check them out at
www.williamsot.com/learn-to-drive-with-williams-ot
Don’t forget to like them and share the videos with anyone else that is learning to drive. We might help people with disabilities to drive, but these are for every learner (and even experienced) driver.
Featured Vehicle Modifications
Our client came to pick up her car following approval from NDIS for driving aids.
Installed is a hand control unit and power park brake and spinner knob.
Another powerful spinner knob
If you get your arm ripped off and then surgically replaced, but still can’t use it for driving, ? a spinner knob might just be the trick for safety and ease. ?
Miscommunication
We continue to get feedback from Local Area Coordinators such as what we receive right here
My understanding is NDIS will no longer pay for assessments prior to the participant having their learners permit however the assessments and the lessons required that are in addition to standard average support required.
This is not true. We can do assessments prior to a person gaining their learner permit to see if driving is a realistic goal. We can also do it later after a client has gained their Learners licence to see what assistance the participant might need.
We have also spoken at length to NDIS. A client with Autism needs a supportive environment and specialised environment throughout the learning process. chopping and changing between driving schools and or driving instructors does not work. You cant expect a client to start with one school and pay privately and only come to a specialised school for a handful of lessons. This does not work. There is no truth in the comment that only extra lessons will be funded.
Top 5 Safety Driving Tips
We recently interviewed Get Home Safe Foundation President Darren Davis and he shared some great driving tips for ALL drivers as well as giving some live demonstrations of how advanced drivers keep safe on the road. Watch this video below to know more all about it.
Some interesting articles for you
- Recommendations for driving after implantable cardioverter defibrillator implantation and the use of a wearable cardioverter defibrillator
- Effects of Visual Perception Skills on Driving Performance of Patients With Stroke
- Role of vehicle assistive devices for safe return to driving after severe acquired brain injury
PS: Don’t forget to download our latest e-Book Williams OT Ultimate Guide to Maximising your NDIS Plan! Click the photo down below to download!
