COURSE OVERVIEW:

Welcome to the Providing Driving & Adaptive Vehicle Training for People with Disability course. This program has been designed for driving instructors, NDIS providers, and disability professionals involved in supporting individuals with disability to achieve safe and independent driving outcomes. Driving is more than a means of transport—it represents autonomy, social inclusion, and access to community life. This course equips professionals with the skills, knowledge, and ethical frameworks necessary to deliver inclusive, adaptive, and person-centred driver training.

This course begins by introducing the importance of tailored driving instruction for learners with disability, outlining the key principles of inclusive practice, and exploring how functional differences can influence a learner's driving needs. Understanding the diverse impact of physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities is central to building a respectful, empowering learning environment.

Driving instructors have a duty of care that extends beyond road safety. This section addresses their legal and ethical responsibilities under WHS and NDIS frameworks, with a focus on respecting client autonomy, upholding confidentiality, and maintaining clear professional boundaries throughout the driver training process.

For NDIS participants, learning to drive may form part of a funded goal. This section explores how driving goals are integrated into NDIS plans, how instructors can engage with support coordinators and plan managers, and how Assistive Technology funding can support adaptive vehicle training and modifications.

Occupational therapists play a critical role in assessing driving readiness. Here, we examine how OTs conduct functional assessments, interpret findings, and provide recommendations for instructional planning, reinforcing the importance of collaboration between OTs and instructors in supporting learner success.

Vehicle modifications make it possible for many individuals to drive safely. This section provides an overview of common adaptations—such as spinner knobs, hand controls, and left-foot accelerators—while also addressing the regulatory requirements for fitting and approving modified vehicles under Australian transport standards.

Training with adaptive vehicles requires a methodical, safety-focused approach. This section outlines how to introduce clients to adaptive equipment, build progressive driving skills using modified systems, and foster safe control, confidence, and independence behind the wheel.

Instructors providing this training must possess relevant experience and adaptability. This section highlights how instructors can demonstrate competency in working with people with disability, apply inclusive teaching strategies, and remain informed about advances in adaptive technologies and inclusive education.

Clear and responsive communication is essential to successful driver training. This section provides strategies for adapting communication based on individual needs, including the use of visual aids, structured repetition, and techniques to ensure mutual understanding between instructor and learner.

Learners with disability may experience stress, behavioural challenges, or sensory overload. This section explores how to recognise emotional cues, apply calming techniques, and collaborate with behaviour practitioners where necessary to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment.

Road safety education must be tailored to individual abilities. This section addresses the teaching of hazard perception, traffic awareness, signage interpretation, and judgment in real-time driving situations, with a focus on adapting instruction to suit different learning needs and processing styles.

Lesson planning should align with a learner’s abilities, confidence, and stamina. This section provides guidance on structuring safe and effective practice sessions, selecting appropriate environments, and progressing gradually toward complex on-road situations as the learner's competence grows.

Learners with physical disabilities require specialised training strategies. This section explains how to safely support learners using hand controls, modified steering systems, or adapted foot controls, with a focus on ensuring comfort, control, and proper ergonomics.

For those with cognitive or neurological conditions, training may need to accommodate issues like memory, attention, or routine processing. This section outlines methods for delivering structured, routine-based lessons that build consistency, predictability, and gradual skill acquisition.

Accurate documentation is essential for NDIS compliance. This section explains how to maintain detailed records of training sessions, learner goals, use of adaptive technologies, and progress reports to meet audit and reporting requirements under NDIS Practice Standard 0129.

Instructors often work in collaboration with a range of allied health professionals. This section outlines how to participate in interdisciplinary planning, incorporate therapy goals into driving instruction, and contribute meaningfully to participant reviews or team meetings.

On-road instruction presents unique risks. This section covers how to assess and manage safety risks during practical driving, implement emergency protocols, and ensure the instructor remains ready to intervene if a safety concern arises.

Finally, the course concludes with preparing learners for their licensing assessments and independent driving. This section discusses how to coordinate with licensing authorities, advocate for testing accommodations if required, and build a foundation for long-term mobility, confidence, and independence.

By the end of this course, you will be equipped with the tools, knowledge, and ethical considerations to provide inclusive and adaptive driving instruction that empowers people with disability to achieve greater independence through driving.

Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:

1. Introduction to Inclusive Driver Training

·       The importance of tailored driving instruction for people with disability

·       Core principles of inclusive, person-centred practice

2. Understanding Disability in the Driving Context

·       Types of disabilities that may impact driving ability

·       Effects of physical, sensory, and cognitive impairments on driving tasks

·       Challenging assumptions and barriers to access

3. Legal and Ethical Responsibilities of Driving Instructors

·       Duty of care under WHS and NDIS regulations

·       Respecting client autonomy, privacy, and decision-making

·       Maintaining professional boundaries and ethical conduct

4. NDIS Framework and Participant Access to Driver Training

·       How driving goals are integrated into NDIS plans

·       Engaging with support coordinators and plan managers

·       Funding adaptive driving supports through Assistive Technology

5. Role of Occupational Therapists in Driver Readiness

·       Conducting functional assessments of driving capability

·       Interpreting OT reports for instructional planning

·       Working collaboratively with OTs during training

6. Understanding Vehicle Modifications and Adaptive Equipment

·       Common modifications: spinner knobs, hand controls, left-foot accelerators

·       How modifications are prescribed and fitted

·       Legislative requirements for vehicle adaptation approval

7. Delivering Training Using Adaptive Vehicles

·       Introducing clients to adaptive controls and functions

·       Progressive skill-building using modified systems

·       Reinforcing safety, control, and confidence during instruction

8. Instructor Experience and Skills in Adaptive Training

·       Demonstrating experience training people with disability

·       Applying inclusive teaching strategies in vehicle training

·       Maintaining up-to-date skills and adaptive technology knowledge

9. Communication Strategies for Diverse Needs

·       Adapting communication for cognitive, sensory, or speech differences

·       Using visual tools, demonstrations, and repetition

·       Encouraging feedback to ensure mutual understanding

10. Behaviour Support and Managing Emotional Challenges

·       Recognising behavioural cues related to stress or sensory overload

·       Applying calming techniques and structured routines

·       Liaising with behaviour practitioners when necessary

11. Road Safety Instruction for Learners with Disability

·       Teaching road awareness, signage, and hazard identification

·       Customising hazard perception strategies

·       Supporting judgement and decision-making skills

12. Session Planning and Training Environments

·       Choosing safe, suitable practice environments

·       Structuring lessons to match learner stamina and ability

·       Building confidence before progressing to high-risk situations

13. Training Techniques for Physical Disabilities

·       Adjusting methods for clients with limited upper/lower limb movement

·       Safe use of hand controls, modified steering, and foot adjustments

·       Ensuring comfort and capability within adapted driving tasks

14. Supporting Learners with Cognitive or Neurological Conditions

·       Adapting instruction for acquired brain injury, autism, or developmental delay

·       Using routine, predictability, and positive reinforcement

·       Supporting short-term memory and processing challenges

15. Documentation and Recordkeeping for NDIS Compliance

·       Maintaining training records, goals, and progress updates

·       Documenting use of adaptive technologies and client preferences

·       Preparing evidence for NDIS audits under Requirement 0129

16. Collaboration with Allied Health and Support Professionals

·       Engaging with OTs, psychologists, and therapists in planning

·       Integrating therapy goals into driver education

·       Attending support planning meetings where relevant

17. Managing Safety and Risk During On-Road Instruction

·       Identifying and mitigating risk related to driver capacity

·       Emergency protocols in the training vehicle

·       Instructor readiness to intervene if required

18. Promoting Independence and Test Preparation

·       Preparing learners for driver licensing and assessment

·       Coordinating with licensing authorities for modifications

·       Encouraging ongoing mobility, confidence, and self-reliance

COURSE DURATION:

The typical duration of this course is approximately 2-3 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid for 12 Months. Start anytime and study at your own pace.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

You must have access to a computer or any mobile device with Adobe Acrobat Reader (free PDF Viewer) installed, to complete this course.

COURSE DELIVERY:

Purchase and download course content.

ASSESSMENT:

A simple 10-question true or false quiz with Unlimited Submission Attempts.

CERTIFICATION:

Upon course completion, you will receive a customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.