The University of Florida Department of Occupational Therapy launched a new driving rehabilitation program, SmartDrive, in July 2018. The clinic is located in the Smart House at Oak Hammock, a UF affiliated continuing care retirement community. The house features technology to support aging, and has a state-of-the-art simulator lab. The Director of SmartDrive is Dr. Sherrilene Classen, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, FGSA, FAOTA. Services will be provided by Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Luther King, a Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist and consulting Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist, Dr. Miriam Monahan. SmartDrive services will include driver screening, a comprehensive driving evaluation, driver interventions including behind-the-wheel training, and prescribing vehicle modifications and/or adaptive equipment, or further referral. Access to a semi-autonomous vehicle and autonomous full-car high-fidelity simulator is expected to expand the range of clients we can serve. Our initial clinical focus will be on at-risk older adults and those with neurological or neurodegenerative conditions. We will also provide service for populations through the lifespan such as teens with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism spectrum disorders, and for adults with medical conditions resulting in a functional decline that affects their fitness to drive.
For more information, please visit the UF SmartDrive Driver Rehabilitation website. We were featured in The Gainesville Sun, WCJB TV 20, and UF Health Newsroom.