Scott Turner
In Motion Staff Writer
Photo By: Lance Rothwell/In Motion
The Feb. 5 event allowed students to practice their skills in a unique program that offers participants the chance to see how well they fit into their automobiles.
The program was developed in 2005 by the American Society on Aging in collaboration with American Automobile Association, American Association of Retired Persons, and American Occupational Therapy Association, and has been present at Daytona State College since 2008.
Participants arrive in their cars as they normally drive, at which point the staff leads them through a safety inspection checklist taking approximately 20 minutes. Mary Beth Craig-Oatley, Program Director of the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program, elaborated on the process:
“There are two days to the event for the staff, and one for the participants. On the first day, the staff learns the process and the second day they put it into practice. We then inspect the participants in their vehicles, and look for any problems that may be present; the three major concerns being steering wheel position, seat belt usage, and mirror visibility. We then offer up changes that can be made to correct any problems, though we do not force any changes, as this event is more a preventative and educational experience.”
The event had 27 OTA students in attendance and 25 cars came through to take advantage of their services. “It was an incredible experience,” said Maura Rohan, one of the OTA students attending the event. “We made people more aware of things they might not have known about their cars, and ways to make their traveling more safe.”