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School of Occupational Therapy
Faculty of Health Sciences
La Trobe University
Victoria 3086
Australia
Ph: +61 3 9479 5815
Fax: +61 3 9479 5737
email
OT Reception
Level 2
Health Sciences 2
Bundoora Campus

Content Approved by:
Head of School
Index maintained by: Support Services Officer

Driver Research/Education Unit A new research/education unit has been established in the School of Occupational Therapy, La Trobe University. In the interim the Unit will be known as OT-DRIVE, Driver Research/Education Unit. However, in the long term proposal, the Unit will be formally launched as an Institute of the University and will be known as OT-DRIVE, Driver Research/Education Institute of Victoria.

Aims:

This unit has been established to coordinate and expand the driver / driving-related activities in the School of Occupational Therapy: research, postgraduate teaching programs and the driving clinic.

Unit contributors:

The Unit contributors will primarily be Ms Marilyn DiStefano, Ms Robin Lovell and Associate Professor Carolyn Unsworth. Honours and postgraduate students will also participate in the research and teaching programs offered through the Unit, and other staff from the School of Occupational Therapy will collaborate as opportunities arise. Dr Wendy MacDonald (HBS), and relevant staff from Clinical Vision Sciences and the Australian Institute of Primary Care (AIPC) will be invited to participate, where appropriate, as research associates.

Research Priorities:

The research priorities of the Unit are:

• Predictive validity of the off road occupational therapy driver evaluation
• Occupational therapy driver evaluation: On road assessment practice
• Standardize the current off-road driving assessment
• Standardize the Slide Test (Component of the Off-Road Assessment)
• Standardize the Road Law / Road Craft Test (Component of the Off-Road Assessment)
• Improving occupational therapy licensing decision making
• Obtain normative data to support the use of the 'Reaction Timer'.

Funding:

The Unit will fund its activities (teaching, research and scholarships to research/postgraduate students) through grants or tenders from corporate or philanthropic bodies and government agencies as well as donations and income generated from postgraduate teaching programs and the operation of the Driving Clinic.

Driver Education & Rehabilitation Course

Driver Assessment & Rehabilitation Clinic

Content Approved by: Head of School
Page maintained by: Support Services Officer
Last Updated: 25-Jul-2006