Western Region Chapter Meeting March 23, 2026 8:45 AM - 4:30 PM PT | Live-Virtual Online | 6 ADED Contact Hours | Members $60 / Non-Members $120

Deadline to register: March 20, 2026  5 PM ET

Schedule (subject to change) 
8:45 – 9:00 am: Introductions and Housekeeping 
9:00 - 11:00 am: WHAT???!!! You teach blind people to drive!!!!**
11:00 – 11:15 am: Break
11:15 – 1:15 pm: Lessons Learned; Why Professional, Industry and Regulatory Standards Matter**
1:15 – 1:45 pm: Lunch
1:45 – 3:45 pm: Professional Panel: A Discussion of the differences between states in Motor Vehicle Department regulatory practices and collaborations between CDRS, DRS and State Agencies
3:45 – 4:00 pm: Break 
4:00 – 4:30 pm: Chapter Meeting
4:30 pm: Meeting Adjourned  

**Please note these sessions have been previously presented and contact hours cannot be submitted for attendance at the same program more than once in any renewal cycle.

WHAT???!!! You teach blind people to drive!!!! Presenter: Brenda Eadens, MRC, CRC, CDRS

This session is about Bioptic Driving and the process to get a Driver’s License using a Bioptic Device. It will discuss low vision and various visual conditions. What an appropriate choice of sunshield and other equipment can greatly assist in safe driving. Discussion regarding specific sunshields and filter combinations that help colorblind people with driving. It will highlight Equipment that helps Bioptic Drivers. The session will provide a brief history of Bioptic driving, explore societal attitudes regarding low vision, discuss of distance functional vision as it relates to driving, provide explanations of various visual impairments, spotlight sunshields that help with various visual conditions, discuss how an appropriate choice of sunshield can greatly assist in safe driving, show how specific sunshields and filter combinations help color blind people with driving, discuss equipment that is helpful to low vision drivers and offer case studies.  

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the requirements for a Bioptic Driver’s License
2. Discuss functional vision and the need for sunshields to improve contrast or color
3. Associate certain sun shields with a particular visual impairment
4. Identify equipment that is helpful to low vision drivers 

Why Professional, Industry and Regulatory Standards Matter. Presenters: Amy Lane, OTR/L, CDRS and Chuck Hardy, Director of Quality & Compliance at the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA)

This session explores the essential collaboration required for client success with adaptive equipment and vehicle modifications. Attendees will gain insights into the importance of applying and adhering to best practices, while addressing the challenges of clients seeking solutions outside regulatory standards and professional guidelines, including the resulting consequences. The speakers will share lessons learned from real-world experiences, highlight common pitfalls caused by communication gaps, discuss working with stakeholders and funding agencies, and emphasize the value of aligning with federal standards and guidelines for client safety. Participants will leave with practical strategies and a deeper understanding of the coordination needed to deliver effective, compliant, and safe mobility solutions. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify equipment that is helpful to low vision drivers
2. Analyze common issues that arise between various stakeholders and clients, and propose strategies to mitigate these challenges related to safe and reliable equipment and vehicles. 

A Discussion of the Differences in Motor Vehicle Department Regulatory Practices and collaborations between CDRS, DRS and State Agencies, Between States. Presenters: Lea Bertoni, MS, OTR/L, CDRS, Debbie Hansen OTR/L, CHT CDRS, Stephanie Hayes-Jackson, OTR/L, CDRS and Lish Phillips, DI, DCRS.

In this session panelists will discuss differences between states in Motor Vehicle Department Regulatory practices in regard to driver rehabilitation. Discussion includes medical reporting requirements, medical review board practices and other topics in Arizona, California and Nevada. Each speaker will present unique case studies and include information on the collaboration between CDRS, DRS and motor vehicle agencies. We will hear about challenges they encountered and how the issues were resolved. Our moderator, chapter officer Gail San Marco, will have some questions prepared and take questions from attendees during the presentation. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Compare and contrast state-specific Motor Vehicle Department regulatory practices related to driver rehabilitation in Arizona, California, and Nevada, including medical reporting requirements, medical review board processes, and their implications for clinical practice.
2. Analyze real-world case studies to evaluate collaboration strategies between Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, Driver Rehabilitation Specialists, and motor vehicle agencies, identifying common challenges and effective resolution approaches applicable across jurisdictions. 

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 2/23/2026; 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  

**Please note these sessions have been previously presented and contact hours cannot be submitted for attendance at the same program more than once in any renewal cycle.

ADED's Education Code of Conduct applies to this and all ADED education.