Driving Simulator

Title: Driving Simulator Brief Description: St. Luke's Rehabilitation Institute seeks funding from the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation to be applied toward the purchase of a driving simulator that is essential for assessment and training of driving capability in our patients with spinal cord injury. Most individuals with spinal cord injuries consider driving to be essential for independence and self-care. Our occupational therapists conduct driving assessments in a clinical (off-road) setting to assess a patient's capacity to drive in a safe, controlled environment. A primary tool used in the clinic setting to address driving capacity is computer-administered driving simulation using visual simulations of on-road driving situations. Our current simulator is an antiquated DOS-based program that does not offer a realistic simulation of the on-road experience. Therefore, we have a critical need to replace this simulator with a state-of-the-art driving simulator. The driving simulator we propose to purchase offers a realistic, high-fidelity, reproducible driving experience that cannot be duplicated by even on-road driving on standardized courses. It is a console system which is wheelchair accessible, and has optional hand controls to adapt braking and accelerator functions for drivers with lower-extremity paralysis. Because we are an accredited medical rehabilitation facility, access to the simulator will be available to any of our patients with spinal cord injury needing an in-clinic driving assessment either prior to discharge from inpatient rehabilitation or as part of an outpatient occupational therapy program. Our goal in acquiring a state-of-the-art simulator is to help our patients with spinal cord injury reclaim independence through safe driving while also assuring safety of the community by confirming that our patients are ready for on-road driving. In addition to improving patient care, acquiring the computerized driving simulator will improve the options St. Luke's has for conducting research on one of the most complex, yet common, activities our patients with spinal cord injury hope to maintain. The driving simulator will open up new opportunities for our research team to study such influences as the timing of specific driving training during the course of recovery from spinal cord injury on being able to drive safely. Outcomes: With the financial assistance of the Craig H. Neilsen Foundation, we can offer our patients with spinal cord injury a driving evaluation experience that is safe, realistic, and accurate before they ever perform an on-road assessment. Relevance to Neilsen Foundation mission: This project aligns with the Neilsen Foundation's mission to improve the quality of life for those living with spinal cord injury and to support scientific exploration for effective therapies. Category: Assistive Technology (CHN: COandI chn:wdg)