Drive-ABLE Podcast

In this special OT Week episode of the Drive-Able Podcast, hosts Jenny and Brad are celebrating 80 Years of Connection in occupational therapy! As OT Week 2024 comes to a close, they reflect on their journeys as OTs and share why they are passionate advocates for the profession, highlighting the crucial role OT plays in helping people live independent, fulfilling lives.

This episode also brings an important update on recent NDIS changes. In Episode 90, Jenny and Brad expressed their concerns about the proposed reforms and the impact on those they support. Now, they revisit these changes, discussing how the updates are influencing driving assessments, mobility, and access to independence for NDIS participants.

Join them in celebrating OT Week, diving into the world of OT, and gaining the latest insights on the NDIS from the Drive-Able team. Here’s to 80 years of OT making a difference!

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Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended with the music and media used in this podcast/video. All rights to the music and other media remain with the respective artists and copyright holders.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Mobility Engineering, Driving Well, and Williams OT—for their invaluable support in bringing this show to life. We appreciate their dedication to our community and industry.

Welcome to the Drive-Able Podcast! Today, we're diving into the world of high-level van conversions with Robert Van Mullekom, the Managing Director of Freedom Motors Australia.

Since 1997, Freedom Motors has specialised in transforming standard vehicles into wheelchair-accessible ones, converting a wide range of makes and models to meet the needs of individuals, families, and businesses. Whether it's for personal use or taxis, their expertise ensures more independence and freedom for wheelchair users.

Throughout our podcast, we've often mentioned Freedom Motors when talking to guests about their wheelchair-accessible cars and vans, so it's exciting to finally have Robert join us.

We can’t wait to chat with him and get an inside look at what goes into converting a van into a fully accessible vehicle.

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Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended with the music and media used in this podcast/video. All rights to the music and other media remain with the respective artists and copyright holders.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Mobility Engineering, Driving Well, and Williams OT—for their invaluable support in bringing this show to life. We appreciate their dedication to our community and industry.

Welcome to the Drive-Able Podcast with Jenny Gribbin from Driving Well OT in Brisbane and Brad Williams from Williams OT in Adelaide.

In today’s episode, we’re joined by an inspiring guest, Travis DeJong-Knox, a double lower limb amputee who has defied the odds to pursue his passion for car racing. You might be wondering how Travis has achieved such an incredible feat. We’re diving deep into his journey—discussing his return to driving, reclaiming his independence, and getting back to all the things he loves.

Travis has an incredible story, and his positive attitude toward recovery is nothing short of inspiring. Not only is he living his best life, but he’s also now consulting for disability agencies and even advising the government on accessibility issues.

Tune in for an engaging conversation about overcoming challenges, finding purpose, and pushing boundaries. This is one episode you don’t want to miss!

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Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended with the music and media used in this podcast/video. All rights to the music and other media remain with the respective artists and copyright holders.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Mobility Engineering, Driving Well, and Williams OT—for their invaluable support in bringing this show to life. We appreciate their dedication to our community and industry.

Welcome to the Drive-Able Podcast with Brad Williams from Williams OT in South Australia and Jenny Gribbin from Driving Well Occupational Therapy in Queensland.

In this episode, we’re switching things up—there’s no guest this time. Instead, Jenny and Brad are diving into a hot topic that’s making waves in the disability and driving communities. We’ll break down the recent NDIS reform bill that passed in Parliament last week, along with the draft list of funded items that recently closed for consultation.

Join us as we explore the nuts and bolts of these changes, discussing their potential impact on driving, mobility solutions, and what they could mean for OTs and their clients across Australia.

This is a critical conversation for anyone navigating the NDIS, so tune in as we unpack what these reforms mean for you.

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended with the music and media used in this podcast/video. All rights to the music and other media remain with the respective artists and copyright holders.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Mobility Engineering, Driving Well, and Williams OT—for their invaluable support in bringing this show to life. We appreciate their dedication to our community and industry.

In this special episode, we present the OT Australia Inaugural Oration Address by Jenny Gribbin, delivered at the 2024 OTX Exchange in Perth. Jenny’s speech is not only enlightening but also deeply moving—a true testament to her dedication and passion for occupational therapy. We couldn’t be prouder of Jenny for this remarkable achievement, and we’re excited to share it with you. Whether you’re an OT, aspiring to become one, or simply interested in the field, this is a must-listen from start to finish.

Jenny Gribbin graduated from the University of Queensland in 2005 and completed her OT driver assessor training at the University of Sydney in 2012. In 2016, she founded Driving Well Occupational Therapy in Brisbane, with a mission to serve clients locally and support OTs nationally. During COVID, Jenny partnered with Dr. Miriam Monahan from the USA to innovate best practices in assessing learner drivers. Her work has pioneered the “potential to drive” approach, significantly advancing OT practices and creating new opportunities for young Australians.

Tune in to hear Jenny’s inspiring journey, her innovative contributions to the field, and the powerful impact she’s had on so many lives.

Disclaimer: No copyright infringement is intended with the music and media used in this podcast/video. All rights to the music and other media remain with the respective artists and copyright holders.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Mobility Engineering, Driving Well, and Williams OT—for their invaluable support in bringing this show to life. We appreciate their dedication to our community and industry.

In today’s episode, we are excited to welcome back Dr. Beth Cheal from the Institute of Driver Health. Beth is an Occupational Therapist, driver assessor, and licensed driving instructor with extensive experience. She is also a lecturer and researcher at Western Sydney University and has been running training programs for occupational therapists, health professionals, and driving instructors in driver assessment and rehabilitation since 2006.

Beth previously appeared on Drive Able in episode #44, where she discussed the pathway to becoming a driver-trained OT. Today, we will delve deeper into the processes and updates in OT driving assessments, focusing on an innovative assessment tool called "P-Drive." This tool provides a standardized method for scoring on-road assessments, enhancing the accuracy and consistency of evaluations.

Join us as we explore the latest advancements in OT driving assessments with Beth, gaining valuable insights into how tools like P-Drive are shaping the future of driver rehabilitation. Whether you are a health professional, an OT, or someone interested in driver health, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge and practical information.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Mobility Engineering, Driving Well, and Williams OT—for their invaluable support in bringing this show to life. We appreciate their dedication to our community and industry.

In today’s episode, we tackle the essential topic of driving and vehicle access for those living with a progressive neurological condition. We’re joined by Gordon Burnett, who has been navigating life with Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis, and his wife Robyn. Gordon's condition, which progresses slowly, has required him to undertake a significant journey in modifying and adapting his vehicle to meet his changing needs.

Our discussion will highlight not only the various modifications that have been crucial for Gordon's mobility and independence but also the invaluable role that an Occupational Therapist has played in this process. Gordon and Robyn will share their experiences working with an Occupational Therapist, detailing how their expertise guided them through the complexities of vehicle adaptation and provided tailored solutions that greatly enhanced their daily life.

Tune in to learn how consulting with trusted Occupational Therapists and General Practitioners can make a substantial difference in managing progressive conditions and independence. Gordon and Robyn will also discuss the challenges they’ve faced, the practical solutions they’ve found, and how these adjustments have impacted their freedom and quality of life.

Join us for an enlightening discussion on the intersection of health and mobility, and gain valuable insights into how individuals and their families can manage and adapt to progressive conditions with the support of professionals and innovative vehicle solutions.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Mobility Engineering, Driving Well, and Williams OT—for their invaluable support in bringing this show to life. We appreciate their dedication to our community and industry.

Welcome to the Drive-Able Podcast! Today, we have a very special episode for you. It might be a little noisy in the background because we're coming to you live from the Occupational Therapy Exchange 2024 in Perth. Jenny and I have been here, soaking up the vibrant atmosphere and attending some of the key presentations, especially those related to driving.

We thought we would bring our highlights to you in case you couldn't make it in person. If you're an occupational therapist or someone interested in the latest developments in the driving and OT landscape, this episode is for you.

We have a lot of exciting interviews lined up with experts from the OT world, sharing their insights and experiences. From groundbreaking research to innovative approaches in driver rehabilitation, we're bringing you the latest and greatest from the conference. So sit back, relax, and join us as we dive into the cutting-edge advancements in occupational therapy and driving.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Mobility Engineering, Driving Well, and Williams OT—for their invaluable support in bringing this show to life. We appreciate their dedication to our community and industry.

Today, we're thrilled to discuss Drive Focus and the potential to drive with Dr. Miriam Monahan from the Driver Rehabilitation Institute in the USA. Dr. Monahan is a clinician, researcher, lecturer, and app inventor specializing in the driving space.

With extensive experience as an OT driver assessor and Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS), Miriam has developed an evidence-based approach to assess learner drivers with Autism and ADHD, known as the Potential to Drive approach.

For more insights, check out episodes #78 and #79 where Jenny joined Brad and Ali to discuss the changes in assessing potential drivers in Australia, inspired by Miriam's work.

Miriam's dedication led to the creation of the Drive Focus app, enhancing driver education for individuals with specific needs. Jenny has been in regular contact with Miriam and is continually impressed by her contributions and achievements, which have had a significant impact not only in the USA but also in Australia.

Join us as we chat with Dr. Monahan about her latest projects and the innovative work she's doing in the field of driver rehabilitation.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Mobility Engineering, Driving Well, and Williams OT—for their invaluable support in bringing this show to life. We appreciate their dedication to our community and industry.

Join us on this special episode of the Drive-ABLE podcast as host Brad Williams takes us on an exciting walkthrough of the ATSA Expo in Adelaide from last March. Brad explores the latest innovations and technologies in assistive technology, meeting industry leaders, and discovering new solutions that enhance mobility and independence.

Get an insider's look at the event, including interviews with exhibitors, demonstrations of cutting-edge products, and insights into the future of assistive technology. Whether you attended the expo or are hearing about it for the first time, this episode offers a comprehensive and engaging recap of all the highlights.

Tune in to learn more about the advancements showcased at the ATSA Expo and how they are shaping the future of accessible living.

Special thanks to our sponsors—Mobility Engineering, Driving Well, and Williams OT—for their invaluable support in bringing this show to life. We appreciate their dedication to our community and industry.