Committee
The Occupational Therapists steering the development and advancement of the structure of the DFC have a passion for and experience in various areas of driving and community mobility intervention. They have committed themselves to serve on the committee on a voluntary basis for a period of three years, after which a new steering committee will be nominated and elected.
Haley Norval
Chairperson
Haley Norval has proudly witnessed and contributed to the growth and impact that the DFC is having on fitness to drive assessment and rehabilitation within South Africa. She, together with the experienced and passionate steering committee, are excited to strive for advancing the training targets and mentorship plans for the years ahead. Her passion for clinical practice and patient driven goal attainment, combined with experience in practice management and leadership in Occupational Therapy in South Africa ensures she will continue to advocate for this area of specialist training within the OT profession. "Driving is far more than just about reaching a destination – it’s about the challenges, memories and lessons one learns whilst on the journey. OT’s embrace this highly complex and multi-faceted task to enable client activity participation and strive for independence within community access across a lifespan"
Ruth Meiring
Communication
Ruth Meiring started her journey of addressing driving with her clients in 2020, after attending a course on driving assessment following stroke, presented by Caroline Rule and Lizette Swanepoel. "Over the past 5 years, through the training opportunities provided by the Driver Fitness Coalition, I have gained the confidence to address the important but complex occupation of driving with my clients, while remaining mindful that there is always more to learn in this exciting and developing field of practice". Due to the role that the DFC has played, and continues to play in her professional development, she is enthusiastic about seeing more occupational therapists upskilled to implement best-practice guidelines when addressing driving with their clients . As the steering committee member responsible for communication, she looks forward to coordinating the sharing of information between the DFC, its members, subscribers, and other role-players.
Ruth works in private practice in Parktown, Johannesburg, and works in the fields of neurological rehabilitation, mental health and vocational rehabilitation.
Ruth works in private practice in Parktown, Johannesburg, and works in the fields of neurological rehabilitation, mental health and vocational rehabilitation.
Nikki de Beer
Secretary
Nikki de Beer is an experienced and dedicated Occupational Therapist with a passion for neurology and enhancing patient independence. Her background is enriched by over 5 years of international work experience. In 2021, she became involved in fitness to drive assessments, focusing on ensuring that individuals are fit and capable behind the wheel. As one of the practice owners of the RehabWorx team at Groenkloof Hospital in Pretoria, Nikki is committed to ongoing learning and skill development. With her strong analytical and learner skills, she strives to set clear standards for driving fitness. Her work emphasizes the importance of empowering patients as they regain their independence, of which driving is a vital component.
For more information, visit www.rehabworx.co.za.
For more information, visit www.rehabworx.co.za.
Training
Rosslyn Rich is a qualified occupational therapist with a special interest in analysing and understanding human function that led her into the field of functional capacity evaluations, job analysis & fitness to work. Rosslyn has gained extensive experience across the insurance & medico-legal fields as well as within the employment sector. More recently (2020), she was invited to join Neville J Cohen & Associates and has since focused her efforts on external (community) mobility with the privilege of working alongside industry experts in vehicle adaptations. Rosslyn is excited at the opportunity to collaborate with the DFC in expanding the training portfolio beyond rehabilitation and extending our reach to various professional and community sectors. “Through targeted training, partnerships & collaborations, we aim to enhance mobility support across diverse fields, ultimately promoting a world where driving intervention and community mobility is accessible to all.”
Caroline Rule
Liaison
Caroline Rule is well-respected for her practical approach and vast knowledge of vehicle adaptations for persons with physical disabilities. She is also a networker and enjoys pulling people together to work on a common goal. This together with her involvement in awareness projects, policy address, legislation committees, vehicle and adaptation reviews, as well as therapist and driving instructor training, ensures that the DFC is gaining traction and recognition beyond the boundaries of OT. These skills, knowledge and experience make her the perfect candidate for the Liaison role on the steering committee.
“Being able to drive in South Africa opens the world for a person with a physical disability and helps to give them back their independence. Driving is one of the highest levels of achievement we can help our clients to reach. We owe it to them to equip ourselves with the knowledge to guide them back onto the road.” Although Caroline is no longer practicing in the field of driving assessments, she is still committed to growing this field of practice in South Africa.
“Being able to drive in South Africa opens the world for a person with a physical disability and helps to give them back their independence. Driving is one of the highest levels of achievement we can help our clients to reach. We owe it to them to equip ourselves with the knowledge to guide them back onto the road.” Although Caroline is no longer practicing in the field of driving assessments, she is still committed to growing this field of practice in South Africa.
Rozanne Groenewald
Treasurer
Rozanne Groenewald’s special interest and clinical experience in Occupational Therapy intervention for persons with mental health conditions, ensure that the representation and training for the various clinical populations of our members are comprehensive and holistic. Her attention to detail and calm, logical approach makes her the perfect steering member to manage the finances of the DFC committee.
“The impact of psychiatric and neurocognitive conditions on driving are frequently either ignored or treated with severe circumspection. Through evidence-based training and sharing of experience and expertise, we can better navigate this involved and diverse field and bring a greater understanding and awareness of the impact of these conditions and the resulting barriers and facilitators to driving.”
Jenine Ryan
Marketing
Jenine Ryan is an accomplished occupational therapist with a deep passion for empowering her patients to achieve the highest level of independence possible, including returning to driving. She has a special interest and clinical experience in driving assessments and interventions with clients with neurological conditions. Jenine firmly believes that driving can be a transformative aspect of her client’s rehabilitation journey, providing them with a sense of freedom and independence. These attributes make her an ideal steering committee member to coordinate marketing of the DFC. “I’m excited to be working with this dynamic and experienced team to increase awareness and broaden the impact of the DFC’s work and training to occupational therapists, healthcare professionals and the public. Thus educating, supporting and empowering them to better understand and navigate the field of driving intervention in South Africa.”
Amy Humphries
Marketing
Amy Humphries is an occupational therapist with a special interest in neurological conditions and geriatrics. She started exploring the role of OT in driving in 2021. Becoming a member of the DFC has enabled her to have the confidence and knowledge to assess and assist her clients to get back on the road. "This field of OT is so exciting, challenging and fulfilling and I hope to assist in raising awareness about what the DFC has to offer."