ADED eLearning
2026 Conference Speakers
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Peggy P. Barco, OTD, OTR/L, CDRS, FAOTA is a Professor in the Program of Occupational Therapy and the Department of Medicine at Washington University School of Medicine. Her areas of expertise include functional cognition as well as driving and community mobility. She maintains active roles in education, research, and clinical practice, performing comprehensive driving evaluations. With more than 25 years of experience in driving rehabilitation, she has mentored numerous occupational therapists in this specialty area and has played a key role in the development of three driving rehabilitation programs. Dr. Barco has served as Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on multiple fitness-to-drive research studies, including projects funded by the National Institutes of Health. Her collaborative research has examined fitness to drive in individuals with dementia and preclinical dementia (with David Carr, MD), driving and glaucoma (with Anjali Bhorade, MD), and best practices for driving after right lower limb amputation with Prateek Grover, MD). She has authored more than 30 peer-reviewed publications and regularly presents her work at national conferences. Across her work as a clinician, researcher, and educator, Dr. Barco is committed to advancing evidence-based solutions to address driving challenges and mobility concerns. |
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Lea Bertoni, OTR/L, CDRS, received her Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy from Duquesne University. After working in inpatient and acute hospital settings for several years as an OT, she transitioned into the specialty field of driver rehabilitation following a move to Arizona. She successfully achieved certification as a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist through the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) in 2017. She currently practices as the clinical lead therapist at Driving to Independence in Tempe, AZ and works with a wide range of clients and diagnoses, including low vision/bioptic drivers. She is an active member of ADED and currently serves as chair of the Professional development committee. |
Raechaell Corbett, MS OTR/L, CDRS, CDI has been an Occupational Therapist for 18 years and joined the world of driver rehab in 2018. She received her CDRS in 2020 and is currently the Supervisor of the Driver Assessment Program in Meriden, CT. Raechaell has experience working in a multitude of settings including in-patient rehab, acute care, sub-acute rehab, and outpatient orthopedics/neuro. She also assisted Lions Low Vision of Fairfield and New Haven counties to create Lions Low Vision Centers at Saint Mary’s Hospital and Easterseals. Raechaell is currently using all of her experience to provide comprehensive driver assessments and driver training to individuals of all ages. She is currently a member of ADED’s education committee and ADED’s Speakers Bureau. Raechaell has also been accredited to educate EMS in CT to assist with improving interactions with the Neurodiverse community and drivers of modified vehicles. She works with Easterseals to partner with various organizations throughout CT including police departments, local rehab hospitals, vocational rehab, mobility equipment dealers, local universities, etc. to be able to provide a team approach to driver rehab. | |
| Jaclyn (Jackie) Davin is an occupational therapist with 26 yrs of experience, 22 yrs involved in driver rehabilitation. She has been a CDRS for 13 yrs. Jackie has worked in multiple various model programs over the years in multiple states. She has grown programs started programs and is currently in private practice as the owner of EMBRACE Mobility Services, PLLC. Jackie is a certified brain injury specialist and has always had a deep interest in cognitive rehabilitation and community reentry. She hopes to facilitate deep discussion and elevate the professionals who call driver rehabilitation their passion. | |
| Dr. Ehsani is a road safety
researcher and Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public
Health. He has over 80 peer-reviewed publications on road safety and injury
prevention, and has delivered over 100 scientific lectures and invited addresses
on the topic. He uses policy and behavioral research to prevent motor vehicle
crashes and advance the health promoting aspects of transportation. Examples of
his work include the effectiveness of licensing and examination systems for
teen drivers, large scale behavior change clinical trials testing interventions
to reduce crashes, and the impact of new mobility products and services
including autonomous vehicles, ride sharing, and micromobility. He is advising
the US Department of Transportation and several US states on driver education
and licensing policy and is the current Chair of the Transportation Research
Board Standing Committee on Vehicle User Learning and Competency. | |
| Katie Fair, OTD, OTR/L, CDRS, CDI has more than 20 years of experience in occupational therapy, with extensive clinical practice in both inpatient and outpatient neurological rehabilitation. Since 2014, she has specialized in driver rehabilitation and is both a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) and Certified Driving Instructor (CDI). Dr. Fair earned her occupational therapy degree from James Madison University and went on to complete a master’s degree and certification in Low Vision Rehabilitation at The University of Alabama at Birmingham. She later obtained an Advanced Teaching Certification and completed her post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy at Thomas Jefferson University in 2021. Her doctoral capstone examined the use of the DriveFocus™ app in adults with brain injury. Dr. Fair currently manages three driver rehabilitation programs within MedStar Health across Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland. She is an active presenter at regional and national conferences and collaborates with special interest groups and universities on topics including driver rehabilitation, post-concussion management, and vision rehabilitation. She is also the author of the driver training chapter in Spinal Cord Medicine, 4th Edition. | |
| Bryan Garrison was born in Jackson, Mississippi and attended the University of Southern Mississippi for his undergraduate degree. He completed clinical rotations at Baptist Hospital in Jackson and the VA Medical Center in Biloxi, Mississippi. He began his career working at the VA in Memphis, Tennessee, providing driver rehabilitation services and working in the SCI department. In late 2012, he transferred to Tampa, where he was promoted to supervisor of 20 KTs in the Kinesiotherapy department. In 2021, he was selected as the Telerehabilitation Enterprise Wide Initiative (TREWI) program director for physical medicine and rehabilitation for the Tampa VA. He also serves as chair of the telehealth Innovation Committee for VACO. Bryan is the CERNER Solutions national lead for Kinesiotherapy at VA Central Office, where he is helping to build the new electronic healthcare records for the entire VA network. He serves on the VA KT Field Advisory Committee (FAC) and leads the KT supervisors and leads team within the VA. He is a member of the VA driver rehab FAC and one of the national instructors for the VA driver training instructor course. Locally, at the Tampa VA, Bryan is a member of the Employee Experience Committee, which aims to develop innovative ways to maintain high employee morale during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is also the emergency management coordinator for physical medicine and rehabilitation, responsible for training and instructing all staff in safety and emergency protocols. Bryan is currently Past president of ADED and is the past-president of the Florida Chapter. He has participated on the finance committee, the by-laws committee, and the past presidents' council. He has also presented at several local and national conferences for both ADED and NMEDA and has published books and newsletters on driver rehabilitation over the past 15 years. He completed his master’s degree in healthcare administration at Saint Joseph University in December 2022. | |
| Emily Haffner, CScD, MOT, OTR/L, CDRS, is an occupational therapist who has worked in the field of driving rehabilitation since 2013. She is a licensed driving instructor and is also a certified driving rehabilitation specialist. In her current role at The Ohio State University, Emily serves as the team lead for the driving program and is engaged in clinical care as well as quality improvement and research projects. She has extensive experience working with adult neurological populations and with adaptive equipment and vehicle modifications. She is the current chair of the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists Research Committee. | |
| Keegan D. Humphrey, OTR/L, CLVT, CDI, CSRS, CBIS, CDRS, DPAM, serves as Coordinator of Neurological Rehabilitation at Norton Neurosciences & Spine Rehabilitation Center. He also participates in the interdisciplinary Norton Neuroscience Institute ALS Clinic. Mr. Humphrey earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in occupational therapy from the University of Southern Indiana in Evansville. He holds advanced professional certifications, including low-vision therapy from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, brain injury specialization, driving instructor certification from Indiana State University, rehabilitation driving specialist, and stroke rehabilitation specialist. He is committed to lifelong learning and is dedicated to supporting individuals living with neurological disorders and low-vision conditions. | |
| Timothy Jones OTR, CDRS, is an occupational therapist, driving instructor, certified driver rehabilitation specialist with more than 30 years of experience in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. Tim works in the specialized field of driver rehabilitation. He is the owner of Rehabilitation of Frederick, Inc., and provides driver evaluation and training for individuals with a variety of disabilities. Tim is an accomplished presenter and has taught several workshops on the topic of complex disabilities and vehicle modifications for ADED (Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists) and the Maryland Department of Transportation. | |
| Kate Lopez, OTR/L, MHS, LDI, CDRS is an occupational therapist (OT) and certified driver rehabilitation specialist (CDRS) working for Mercy Health-West Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. She has been working as an OT for over 24 years and has been working in driver rehabilitation for over 22 years and became a CDRS in 2013. She performs in-clinic assessments, behind the wheel assessments, and driver training for a variety of disabling conditions. She has been a consultant for Adaptive Technology Consulting, LLC on a project addressing driver training through Virtual Reality for individuals with autism spectrum disorders. She is a frequent guest lecturer at universities and to area healthcare practitioners regarding the field of driver rehabilitation and has presented at regional and national conferences for the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED). She was 2023 President of the Board of Directors for ADED and current Chair of ADED’s Leadership Committee. | |
| Chelsea Ward McIntosh is a Clinical Research Study Manager at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia where she has worked on teen, novice, and neurodiverse driver research for over a decade. Her past research project highlights include mapping driving behaviors to brain regions using driving simulation and MEG, determining autonomous vehicle safety features for child riders via surveys and focus groups, and implementing driving simulation skills testing at both licensing centers and primary care offices. Mrs. Ward McIntosh’s two most recently completed projects include 1) tracking teen driving behaviors as they recover from concussion via phone app and via clinical measures with driving simulation testing, and 2) mapping clinical measures to potential to drive evaluation outcomes in autistic teens. She has her MS Psychology (Rivier University), Driver Rehabilitation Therapy certificate (University of Florida), and has an ADED Driver Rehabilitation Professional microcredential and Autism badge. | |
 | Miriam Monahan OTD, OTR/L, CDRS, is recognized for program development in driving and community mobility for teens with special needs. In addition to working with clients and their families, she is a clinical expert and consultant on research studies, (co)authored publications, presented nationally and internationally. |
 | Valerie Neira, OTR, OTD, native to Houston, Texas is a National Board Certified Licensed Occupational Therapist. She received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Health and Rehabilitation Science from Texas State University and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Baylor University. During her collegiate career, she published research in the following journals: Symmetry, Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, The International Journal of Exercise Science and The Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine Clinical Communications. She enjoys mentoring graduate students and supporting their research development and academic growth. Her first-year post-grad was spent working diligently in inpatient rehabilitation and acute care, before transitioning into driving rehabilitation with Strowmatt Rehabilitation Services. She is currently working towards achieving her CDRS with a goal of contributing to driving rehabilitation research. |
| Jenny Nordine, OT/L, CDRS, has more than 15 years of experience in acute care and rehabilitation-based
occupational therapy, with a longstanding passion for promoting independence
through driving. In 2001, she founded Driving to
Independence, a comprehensive driver rehabilitation program that
recently celebrated 25 years serving clients across Arizona and New Mexico.
Through her leadership, the practice provides individualized assessment,
training, and adaptive solutions that support safe, independent driving and
improved access to healthcare, education, employment, and community engagement. Jenny is a frequent national and regional presenter on topics related to
adaptive driver assessment, training, and the development and sustainability of
private practice. She has presented extensively for Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
and maintains recurring educational engagements with occupational therapy
programs at Midwestern University and Arizona School of Health Sciences. Deeply committed to professional leadership and service, Jenny has held
numerous committee and chair roles within ADED. She served on the ADED Board of
Directors from 2014–2019, including terms as President in 2015 and 2018, and
currently serves as President of the ADED Board of Directors. | |
| Leslie Prescott, OTD, OTR/L, SCLV, is a licensed occupational therapist with
nearly two decades of clinical experience across acute care, outpatient
rehabilitation, and specialty low vision services. She earned her Occupational
Therapy Doctorate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and holds a
Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation, along with specialty
certification in low vision through the American Occupational Therapy
Association. Leslie has led the development and expansion of comprehensive low vision
rehabilitation programming, collaborating closely with ophthalmologists,
optometrists, driver rehabilitation specialists, and community partners to
improve functional independence and community mobility outcomes. Her work
integrates clinical assessment, assistive technology, interdisciplinary
education, and program development to support individuals preparing for bioptic
driving and other mobility transitions. She currently leads independent clinical education initiatives focused on
low vision rehabilitation and interdisciplinary driver readiness. Leslie is
actively engaged in professional committees and collaborative efforts advancing
best practices in low vision and bioptic driving preparation. She is passionate
about translating evidence into practical strategies that enhance safety,
access, and independence for individuals with visual impairment. | |
| Jill Sclease, CTRS, CDRS, is a highly qualified and experienced professional, holding certifications as a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and a Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS). With an impressive 30 years in the field of rehabilitation, Jill has dedicated sixteen of those years to the specialized area of Driver Rehabilitation. Jill’s career has been marked by a steadfast commitment to helping clients achieve maximum independence. Her expertise and passion have driven her to continually seek out and implement innovative methods to enable clients to navigate their environments safely and autonomously. Her leadership skills have been demonstrated through her long-standing involvement with the Arizona State Therapeutic Recreation Association, where she served on the board for many years and was President from 2000 to 2001. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field, Jill was honored with the “Outstanding Professional” award in 2009. Furthermore, Jill's influence extends to her role as the President of ADED - The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists in 2022. Her presidency is a testament to her expertise and dedication to the field of driver rehabilitation. In May 2010, Jill joined Driving to Independence, a role that allowed her to focus on promoting independent and safe driving for individuals with physical, cognitive, and visual deficits. She has also been pivotal in conducting senior evaluations. Her work at Driving to Independence revolves around providing driving assessments and training, aiming to enhance her clients’ independence within the community. Jill's dedication to her clients is evident in her passion for maximizing their potential and ensuring their safety on the road. Jill’s career is a shining example of dedication, expertise, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in therapeutic recreation and driver rehabilitation. Her contributions have significantly impacted the lives of many individuals, helping them achieve greater independence and improved quality of life. | |
| Nikki Simmons, MS, OT/L, CDRS, is an seasoned Occupational Therapist with 26 years of experience in diverse clinical and rehabilitation settings. Since 2013 she has specialized in driving rehabilitation when she founded Driving Independence, a community based private practice serving Arkansas,
Tennessee and Mississippi. Through comprehensive driving evaluations and training, she helps individuals with medical conditions, disabilities and age-related changes maintain independence and mobility. As an active member of ADED, Nikki has served on various committees, contributing to industry standards and best practices. She is also involved in an NMEDA, working to advance safe and effective adaptive driving solutions. With her extensive experience and dedication to the field, Nikki is committed to educating professionals and enhancing the quality of driver rehabilitation services. | |
| Cody Stovall has been an Occupational Therapist for 16 years receiving his degree from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in 2010. He received specialty certification as a CDRS in 2012. He performs driving evaluations in the West Tennessee area while working for an outpatient orthopedic and neurologic rehab clinic, Sports Plus Rehab Center. He began working with state agencies including the Tennessee Highway Safety Office and various law enforcement organizations in 2016. He is passionate about educating law enforcement to better identify medical impairment on the roadway and how to objectively report findings. He teaches a 4 hour POST certified law enforcement training course that is taught to law enforcement across the state of Tennessee. | |
| Chad Strowmatt, OTD, CDRS, earned his bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy in 1987. He worked at TIRR until he founded a private practice in 1993 with his business partner Chris Davis, PT. He has been practicing in the field of driver rehabilitation for over 38 years in clinical, behind-the-wheel, and high technology evaluations. Chad has served in various positions within the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Services (ADED) such as president in 2004. Chad earned his post-professional OTD from Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions in April of 2020. Chad has 4 wonderful children and loves to ride motorcycles and camp in his family’s RV in his spare time. Chad has participated and adapted to the evolution of high-tech driving systems over the last 36 years and the impact the technology has on individual independence. |
