ADED eLearning
Midwest Chapter Meeting 5/15/2026 & 5/16/2026
Includes Multiple Live Events. The next is on 05/15/2026 at 11:45 AM (EDT)
-
Register
- Non-member - $200
- Member - $100
- Student Member - $100
- Mobility Dealer Member - $100
- Mobility Staff Member - $100
- Corporate Member - $100
Midwest Chapter Meeting | May 15, 2026: 11:45 AM - 5:00 PM ET| May 16, 2026: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM ET | Live, In-Person | 7 ADED Contact Hours | Members $100 / Non-Members $200 USD
Deadline to register: May 5, 2026 6PM ET
Attendance at the entire event is required to earn contact hours, no partial hours are awarded.
Location: Davenport University 6191 Kraft Ave SE, Davenport, MI 49512
Lunch will be provided upon registration on Friday 5/15. Please allow enough time to register and eat lunch before the first education session begins at 12:30 PM.
Hotel & Lodging:
We have reserved a hotel room block at the Holiday Inn Express (4888 Town Center Drive SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49512).
The room block availability closes on 4/24/26, so please book by this date to get the special rate. Follow THIS LINK to book with the ADED Midwest special rate.
Other hotel option:
TownPlace Suites by Marriott Grand Rapids Airport Southeast | 4850 Town Center Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49512 \ Website
Parking and location information:
The meeting will be taking place in the OT department on the lower level of the Richard M. DeVos and Jay Van Andel Academic Center (building 6 on the parking map). Please refer to the campus map HERE.
The closest parking is in Lot A. If Lot A is full, you may park in Lot B or C. Please see the parking and building map for further information.
If parking in Lot A-- you will be entering the Academic Center (Bldg. 6) on the lower level. The elevator will be straight ahead, turn left at the hallway next to the elevator. The OT classroom (Rm. 034) will be on the right.
If parking in Lot B or C--you will be entering the main doors of the Academic Center (Bldg. 6) on the upper level. The information desk will be to your right, stairs will be straight ahead, and the elevator on the left. You may go down the stairs or take the elevator down to LL. Turn right for the OT Hallway and the classroom (Rm. 034) will be on your right.
Parking Passes—Attendees will need one for each day. They can be printed in Black and white. Please print a pass and bring with you to the meeting to display on your dashboard.
Parking Pass and Map are downloadable in the handouts section once you are registered
Schedule (subject to change):
Friday 5/15/26
11:45 AM - 12:30 PM Registration and lunch (boxed lunches provided by Clock Mobility)
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM Assessing Visual Fitness to Drive Lori Smolinski, O.D., Certified Low Vision Specialist & Christina Hedlich, MS, OTR/L, SCLV
2:00 - 2:15 PM Break
2:15PM - 3:15 PM Supporting Safe Mobility for Older Adults: Training and Design Considerations for Advanced Vehicle Technologies Renée St. Louis, PhD
3:15 - 3:30 PM Break (snack and beverage provided)
3:30 - 5:00 PM When Vision Drifts: The Impact of Convergence, Divergence, and Midline Shift on Driver Performance Heather Heppe, MSOTRL, CDRS, CDI
Saturday 5/16/26
7:30 - 8:00 AM Registration (light food and beverage provided)
8:00 - 8:10 AM Sponsor Address – Sure Grip
8:10 - 8:45 AM Chapter business meeting
8:45 - 10:45 AM Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia & 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's and Dementia Claire Fisher, MPA
10:45 - 11:00 AM Break (snack provided by Clock Mobility)
11:00 - 12:00 PM How driver rehabilitation professionals are collaborating with state agencies and building awareness for aging road users: An overview of efforts in various Midwest states
followed by a panel discussion Julie Dominik, OT/L, CDRS, LDI
12:00 PM Closing
Friday May 15, 2026
Assessing Visual Fitness to Drive - Presenters: Lori Smolinski, O.D., Certified Low Vision and Christina Hedlich, MS, OTR/L, SCLV
Many ocular diseases and visual impairments affect driving. Participants will learn about the most common eye conditions to be considered in a driver’s rehabilitation and how their symptoms should be addressed. Visual sequelae such as visual field loss, decreased contrast sensitivity and glare issues will be detailed. Assessment tools, including visual fields and visual acuity measurement will be discussed. The DRS should feel more comfortable interpreting reports from eye care professionals. Both presenters will discuss how we determine who is appropriate for driver’s rehabilitation given our different skill sets. There will be a refresher on bioptic driving. We will also discuss the process and procedures for visually impaired drivers in the State of Michigan and the successful collaboration we have experienced between occupational therapy, optometry and driver’s rehabilitation in our area.
Learning Objectives:
- Obtain a better understanding of how various visual impairments affect driving.
- Demonstrate a successful multi-disciplinary approach to getting only appropriate drivers through the process of the low vision clinic through to driver’s rehabilitation and a successful road test.
Supporting Safe Mobility for Older Adults: Training and Design Considerations for Advanced Vehicle Technologies - Presenter: Renée St. Louis, PhD
Research on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) among older drivers suggests these technologies have the potential to improve driving safety and extend safe mobility by helping drivers compensate for health and functional changes commonly experienced later in life. However, realizing these potential benefits depends on older drivers’ awareness, understanding, and effective use of ADAS within their own vehicles. This presentation draws on findings from a series of three studies examining older adults’ experiences with vehicle technologies, highlighting the critical role of trust and acceptance in technology adoption. The results also underscore the importance of including older adults in the design of ADAS features and related training programs to ensure that these technologies are intuitive, usable, and aligned with drivers’ needs. Findings emphasize the value of human-centered design and inclusive training approaches to support technology adoption and maximize the safety and mobility benefits of ADAS for older adults.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze the impact of functional aging on driving safety and mobility. Participants will be able to identify how age-related changes in perception, cognition, and psychomotor skills affect safe vehicle operation and describe potential psychosocial consequences of driving cessation, including social isolation and declines in health and well-being.
- Evaluate barriers to technology adoption among older adults. Participants will be able to distinguish between the availability of advanced driver assistance systems and their actual use, and identify how current design approaches and self-directed learning methods may fail to meet the needs of older drivers.
- Apply human-centered design (HCD) principles and training strategies to transportation solutions. Participants will be able to describe the five stages of the HCD process (Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test) and explain how experiential, hands-on training approaches can increase trust in and effective use of safety-enhancing vehicle technologies.
When Vision Drifts: The Impact of Convergence, Divergence, and Midline Shift on Driver Performance - Prsenter: Heather Heppe, MSOTRL, CDRS, CDI
Driving requires precise binocular coordination and accurate spatial alignment to maintain lane position, monitor hazards, and shift focus efficiently between near and far targets. Convergence and divergence dysfunction can impair visual stability, delay response times, and increase visual fatigue. Midline shift further disrupts spatial orientation, potentially leading to lane drift, inconsistent steering, and compromised driver confidence.
These visual disturbances are frequently observed following concussion, neurological injury, and other binocular vision disorders encountered in rehabilitation settings. Despite their impact, they are often under-recognized contributors to driving difficulty.
This presentation explores the functional role of convergence, divergence, and midline alignment in driver performance. Participants will review clinical assessment strategies and evidence-informed rehabilitation approaches that translate directly to on-road outcomes. Emphasis will be placed on interdisciplinary collaboration between rehabilitation specialists and Certified Driving Rehabilitation Specialist to enhance safety, restore confidence, and optimize return-to-driving success.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the roles of convergence and divergence in maintaining visual stability and efficient focus shifts during driving tasks.
- Identify clinical signs of midline shift and binocular dysfunction that may contribute to lane drift, steering inconsistency, and reduced hazard awareness.
- Apply evidence-informed assessment strategies to evaluate visual alignment deficits impacting driver performance.
- Integrate targeted rehabilitation and on-road training strategies to improve spatial alignment, driver safety, and return-to-driving outcomes.
Saturday May 16, 2026
Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia & 10 Warning Signs of Alzheimer's and Dementia - Presented by: Claire Fisher, MPA
Learn the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, Alzheimer’s stages and risk factors, current research and available treatments and ways the Alzheimer’s Association can help. Alzheimer’s and other dementias cause changes in memory, thinking, and behavior that interfere with daily life. Attendees will learn ten common warning signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Learning Objectives:
- Attendees will learn about risk factors, current research, and treatments for Alzheimer’s and other dementias
- Attendees will be able to identify ten common Alzheimer’s warning warning signs
- Attendees will be able to identify ways in which IADLs are affected by Alzheimer’s, including community mobility
- Attendees will identify various resources available in the community to provide enhanced support to clients and their families
How driver rehabilitation professionals are collaborating with state agencies and building awareness for aging road users: An overview of efforts in various Midwest states followed by a panel discussion - Presented by: Julie Dominik, OT/L, CDRS, LDI
This session will explore efforts and opportunities for driver rehabilitation professionals to be involved in working with state agencies as it relates to aging road users and medically at-risk drivers. Among the many duties of state drivers licensing agencies is protecting public safety on their roadways. This requires making decisions concerning an individual’s fitness to drive safely to operate a motor vehicle. As indicated in ADED’s document “The Role of Driver Rehabilitation in Determining Fitness to Drive,” the driver rehabilitation professional is an asset when determining an individual's fitness to drive, whether that is being determined before or after the attention of the state agency. Each state agency has different operational policies and procedures while not all state agencies have medical review boards with the role of the driver rehabilitation professional having the potential to be impactful in both situations. Additionally, many state traffic safety agencies have been developing resources to educate aging drivers, their families, and professions about a range of factors related to aging drivers. Driver rehabilitation professionals are in a unique position to help shape these efforts to facilitate better outcomes for older drivers as well as to educate our communities about the important role of driver rehabilitation. An overview of current efforts in Ohio, Michigan, and Illinois will be provided followed by a discussion panel for questions, concerns, and idea generation.
Learning Objectives:
- Provide examples of 2-3 different ways driver rehabilitation professionals are working with state licensing agencies in determining fitness to drive for aging road users and medically at-risk drivers.
- Identify various ways in which driver rehabilitation providers are involved in statewide initiatives to promote traffic safety as it relates to aging drivers.
- By learning from panel members from various states, attendees will gain a better understanding of ways to become more involved in their own states’ aging and at-risk driver populations and be better positioned to promote the field of driver rehabilitation.
Sponsors:
Attendance at the entire event is required to earn contact hours, no partial hours are awarded. Registration confirmation and payment receipts are e-mailed to the attendee. All cancellations must be made in writing to the ADED Executive Office by 4/15/2026; a 20% handling fee will be charged. Refunds will not be issued after this date or for “no-shows.” Partial refunds will not be granted. ADED reserves the right to modify content, timetable, change speakers, or cancel events due to unforeseen/unavoidable circumstances at any time. If ADED cancels an event, a full refund will be provided to registrants. All complaints relative to the content, instructor, and registration procedures are to be directed to the ADED executive office: 200 1st Ave NW #505 Hickory NC 28601 or via email eLearning@aded.net
ADED's Education Code of Conduct applies to this and all ADED education.
Lori Smolinski, O.D.
Certified Low Vision
Dr. Lori Smolinski completed her undergraduate work at Adrian College and graduated from the Michigan College of Optometry with highest distinction in 2000. She splits her time between Zeeland Vision Services and the Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABVI), an independent subsidiary of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital. She is a Certified Low Vision Specialist and enjoys helping the blind and visually impaired of West Michigan maximize their remaining vision. Through this specialty work, she is also an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor for the Michigan College of Optometry and hopes to spark an interest in Vision Rehabilitation for new optometrists.
She frequently speaks on Low Vision topics to area support groups, community organizations, and other professionals associated with the care of the visually impaired. She is actively involved in the Michigan Optometric Association and serves on several committees. Locally, she was on the board of the Holland Area Arts Council and has volunteered for many projects at church and her daughter’s school over the years.
In 2017, she was presented with the Visionary of the Year Award by the Grand Rapids Lions Club for her volunteerism and dedication to the blind and visually impaired community. In 2020, the Michigan Optometric Association recognized her with the Roger R. Seelye Distinguished Service award for volunteerism and public service. United Way Lakeshore honored her as an Everyday Hero in 2023.
Although Dr. Lori has spent much of her career in Vision Rehabilitation, she has always balanced that with primary care optometry and preventative eye care. She really cares about helping patients of all ages keep their eyes healthy and vision clear.
Christina Hedlich, MS, OTR/L, SCLV
Christina Hedlich is a distinguished occupational therapist and clinical leader with over three decades of experience across acute care, home health, and specialized outpatient settings. She currently serves at West Michigan Eyecare Associates, where she provides comprehensive low vision assessments and customized vision therapy for pediatric and adult populations.
A recognized expert in her field, Christina holds a Specialty Certification in Low Vision (SCLV) from the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). Her career is marked by a deep commitment to both clinical excellence and professional mentorship, having served as a Clinical Director and developed specialized Level II fieldwork programs to train the next generation of therapists.
Beyond the clinic, Christina is a published researcher and a frequent guest lecturer. Her work on age-related macular degeneration and reading performance has been featured in the Journal of Visual Impairment and Blindness, and she is a regular contributor to health platforms like Health Central, where she shares practical "hacks" for navigating vision loss.
Christina earned her Master’s in Occupational Therapy and a Graduate Certificate in Low Vision Rehabilitation from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She is a long-standing member of both the American and Michigan Occupational Therapy Associations, dedicated to advancing the standards of low vision care in the community.
Renée St. Louis, PhD
Dr. Renée St. Louis is an Assistant Research Scientist and Head of the Behavioral Sciences Group at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI). She holds a PhD in Public Health from the Monash University Accident Research Centre in Melbourne, Australia. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master of Public Health in Health Behavior and Health Education from the University of Michigan. Dr. St. Louis’s research lies at the intersection of psychology and public health, with an overarching goal of deepening our understanding of social and behavioral issues important to enhancing transportation safety, mobility, and equity throughout the lifespan. While at UMTRI, Dr. St. Louis has managed a variety of research projects, with numerous projects addressing transportation issues related to the older driver population. She has extensive experience in the development and implementation of protocol for conducting both laboratory and field data collection research with participants of varying ages and levels of physical and cognitive ability. These studies have involved obtaining and analyzing several forms of qualitative and quantitative data, including surveys, focus groups, structured interviews, and simulator and naturalistic driving data. Most recently, she has led several studies which have investigated the perceptions and use of advanced vehicle technologies, with an emphasis on the use of these technologies by older drivers. She is coauthor of several publications addressing safe mobility for vulnerable road users, including a book on older adult mobility titled Perspectives and Strategies for Promoting Safe Transportation Among Older Adults, which won the Richard Kalish Innovative Publication Book Award from the Gerontological Society of America. Her research interests include program and policy evaluation, psychosocial factors that influence driver behavior and mobility decisions, and the use of automated technologies to enhance and extend driver and passenger safety and mobility throughout the lifespan.
Heather Heppe MS OTRL, CDRS, CDI
Heather joined Origami Rehabilitation in 2018, as a graduate of Western Michigan University with a Master of Science degree in Occupational Therapy. With her background in professional driving instruction and rehabilitation, Heather has been instrumental in the success and expansion of Origami’s Driver Rehabilitation service.
Throughout her academic career, Heather was intrigued with Driver Rehabilitation. Her final fieldwork was with a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist where she assessed individuals with physical, cognitive, and/or visual impairments for driving. Once introduced to Driver Rehabilitation this quickly became a passion and is a natural fit because of her own past experience. Heather became a Certified Driving Instructor in 2015 and specializes in vehicle modifications and adaptation recommendations. As a Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, she also teaches Special Education Drivers Education to adolescents. Heather is inspired daily by her interactions with clients and the rehabilitation process. Her passion is to provide education, training, and recommendations on vehicle modifications to allow individuals with cognitive, visual, and/or physical disabilities safely drive and increase independence.
Heather’s professional certifications include Occupational Therapist Registered, Licensed, Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist, Certified Teen, Adult, Truck Driving Instructor, Certified CPR Instructor, and Certified Brain Injury Specialist. Special credentials and certifications include Certified Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Vehicle Operations Instructor, CDL Class A Driver, BLS CPR Certified, Emergency Pediatric Care Certification, and Prehospital Trauma Life Support.
Heather believes in leading with passion in all she does. Heather’s excitement for driver rehabilitation is contagious and her commitment shines through to those she has the honor of serving in her role at Origami Rehabilitation.
Claire Fisher, MPA
Claire Fisher is a public health and community engagement leader with 15+ years of experience advancing programs that strengthen communities across West Michigan. As Director of Program Services for the Alzheimer’s Association, she provides leadership for the development and implementation of regional care and support programs, oversees staff and volunteers, and helps advance strategic initiatives focused on brain health and dementia care. Passionate about health equity and community outreach, Claire specializes in building meaningful partnerships, managing programs and grants, and engaging stakeholders to expand access to critical resources—particularly in underserved communities. Her career includes leadership roles with Hospice of Michigan, Friends of Grand Rapids Parks, and community-based organizations focused on grassroots engagement and volunteer mobilization. Claire holds a Master of Public Administration in Nonprofit Management and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Grand Valley State University.
Julie Dominik, OT/L, CDRS, LDI
Have provided various community and professional presentations regarding stroke education, driver rehabilitation including to medical residents, safe driving for older drivers, dementia and driving, etc. including lecturing at various OT assistant and Masters of OT programs in Ohio. More recently provided community education in collaboration with Clover Leaf school district regarding information related to young persons with various disabilities and pursuing the learning to drive process. Currently part of Stark County’s Safe Communities Coalition with focus of improving traffic safety measures in our community including attending fatal crash review meetings quarterly, participating in education events including for mature drivers. Currently involved with the Ohio Strategic Highway Safety Plan (2020-current) as part of the Older Road User emphasis area as Subcommittee leader of the Medically At-Risk Drivers. Participated in the previous plan as part of the education and licensing subcommittees.
