Ontario Chapter Meeting April 17, 2026 9:00 AM - 1:15 PM ET | Live-Virtual, Online | 3 ADED Contact Hours | Members Only $30
All attendees will need to have their cameras ON for the duration of the event for attendance verification.
Deadline to register: April 10, 2026 5PM ET

Schedule (subject to change)

9:00 – 9:15 Business meeting (approval of minutes, MTO updates)
9:16 – 10:16 Presentation 1
10:17 – 10:30 Questions
10:31 – 10:35 Mini break
10:36 – 11:36 Presentation 2
11:37 – 11:52 Break
11:53 – 12:53 Presentation 3
12:54 – 1:05 Questions
1:06 – 1:15 Wrap up and Adjournment

Presentation 1
Assessment of fitness to drive among clients with compromised right leg or foot - Presenters: Wendy Nieuwland and Dr. Yu-Ting Chen

Several medical conditions affect drivers’ right leg or foot function to use the accelerator and brake pedals from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). For example, incomplete spinal cord injury, stroke with right hemiplegia, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, right leg or foot amputation. Some clients wear ankle-foot orthosis, a below knee or above knee prothesis to maintain functional walking, but their motor and sensory function to make fast and accurate use of vehicle pedals can be questionable. Furthermore, it is unclear whether left foot crossover strategies or bipedal driving are acceptable compensatory strategies for consideration of driving safety. The objective of this session is to empower occupational therapists using therapeutic reasoning in the assessment of fitness to drive among clients with compromised right leg or foot function. Session description. This session will have lectures, case studies, and discussions. The lecture will review updated national guidelines and research consensus on the assessments on drivers with right leg or foot impairments, the use of orthoses and prosthesis to drive, and left leg compensatory strategies to drive. While relevant research studies are still scarce, two cases will be presented to illustrate the therapeutic reasoning and clinical decision-making process in the assessment of fitness-to-drive based on real clinical experiences. The final recommendations of licensing conditions for these cases will be presented. The discussion will tackle the practical, psychological, and therapeutic challenges in assessing the fitness-to-drive of clients with compromised right leg or foot function. Presenters will draw conclusions from current available evidence and service reflections. Clinical implications. Occupational therapists often face challenges and dilemmas in assessing clients with compromised right leg or foot functioning. Three core concepts should be considered: a) occupational therapists should focus on assessing clients’ occupational performance rather than exclusive body functioning or vehicle type, b) driving safety can not be compromised and occupational therapists should not recommend any adaptive equipment or compensatory strategies that may not be safe to use, c) the importance of client-centered practice and respecting clients’ choices during the assessment process, under the circumstances that both parties are clear about the risks and benefits of the assessment results.

Learning Objectives:

• Analyze how much range or motion, muscle strength, coordination, and sensation are sufficient to drive with pedals from OEMs and if the type of vehicle matters.
• Determine if a client wearing an orthosis or prothesis is fit to drive OEM pedals.
• Discuss the use of left leg compensatory strategies and driving safety in fitness-to-drive assessment and training 

Presentation 2
From Evaluation to  Recommendation: A Clinical Framework for Mobility Solutions  - Presenter: Cassy Churchill, BraunAbility

This 1‑hour educational session is designed to support driver rehabilitation specialists and mobility evaluators in understanding key considerations when recommending mobility solutions for individuals with physical disabilities. Rather than focusing on specific products, the session emphasizes clinical decision‑making, evaluator responsibilities, and real‑world application through discussion and case‑based learning. Participants will explore the evaluator’s role in identifying client needs, understanding environmental and functional considerations, and collaborating effectively with mobility equipment dealers to support safe and appropriate mobility outcomes. The presentation will address common evaluation challenges, referral considerations, and how to navigate available resources during the recommendation process. Case examples will be used to illustrate how clinical findings, client goals, and contextual factors influence mobility recommendations. The session will also highlight best practices for interdisciplinary collaboration and how evaluators can access non‑promotional resources to support informed, client‑centered decision‑making. This program is educational in nature, needs‑based, and intended to enhance professional practice rather than promote specific products or demonstrations.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify key clinical and functional considerations that influence mobility recommendations for individuals with disabilities.
  
• Describe the role of the mobility dealer within the evaluation and referral process and how effective collaboration supports client outcomes.
• Apply case‑based reasoning to determine appropriate mobility considerations based on client needs, goals, and environmental factors.
• Recognize available educational and informational resources that support evaluators throughout the mobility recommendation process.

Presentation 3
Impact of Diabetes on Driving Safety - Presenters: Wendy Nieuwland and Dr. Yu-Ting Chen

Nearly 10% of Canadian adults have been diagnosed with diabetes, with one in four adults aged 65 years old or over affected. Longitudinal clinical records indicate that diabetes has become one of the most common complications among clients referred to medically functional driving assessments in recent years. Abnormal blood sugar levels can impair one’s consciousness, visual, neurological, psychomotor, cognitive and executive functioning – each of these may compromise driving safety. Occupational therapists (OTs) and driving instructors (DIs) working in driver’s rehabilitation must recognize these potential risks and provide evidence-based, non-maleficence practice within the scope of practice. Session description. This session will introduce current scientific evidence on the impact of diabetes on driving safety and identify high-risk subgroups of drivers with diabetes. It will present evidence-based clinical assessment strategies that evaluate clients’ subjective awareness of glucose control, diabetes self-management and self-care abilities, and the objective effects of diabetes on driving-related functional abilities. Presenters will explain how to interpret glucose data from the three most commonly used blood sugar monitoring devices in Canada. OTs and DIs are encouraged to verify clients’ glucose levels and monitor signs of abnormal blood sugar levels before and during on-road evaluations and training sessions. Clinical decision making about when a driving session should be postponed or terminated will be discussed using a case study, supported by national and international guidelines on fitness-to-drive assessments and licensing regulations for drivers with diabetes. Standard emergency responses to hypoglycemia conditions will be reviewed. This session will conclude with a discussion on how to provide client-centered education and consultation regarding the impact of diabetes on driving safety. Clinical implications. Diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic conditions in Canada and could impact one’s fitness-to-drive in various functional abilities. OTs should collect and document information regarding clients’ daily and weekly glucose level, driving routine, and functional abilities for assessing their driving performance, influenced by this condition. Clients’ glucose level before and during any on-road sessions should be monitored. OTs should use scientific evidence and national guidelines to make licensing recommendations and provide necessary client education to prevent any foreseeable adverse events. 

Learning Objectives:

• The clinical interview should evaluate clients’ awareness of self-management of diabetes and the impact of diabetes on driving-related functional abilities.
• Interpret daily glucose levels and long-term trends on three most common blood sugar monitoring devices and determine when it is not appropriate to proceed on-road assessments or training sessions following national guidelines. 
• Provide client-centered education about diabetes self-management regarding driving safety and know when to refer for additional diabetic education post assessment to promote driving longevity. 

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 for live-virtual events must be made in writing to the ADED Executive Office by 4/10/2026; 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. ADED does not offer refunds because of technological issues, should the ADED experience a platform outage, attendees will be provided an appropriate credit.  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.