A small-scale vehicle for assessing and training driving skills among the disabled

A small-scale vehicle (SSV) was developed to assess and train skills of disabled individuals who wish to become licensed to drive. The SSV incorporates power-assisted adjustable-effort steering and braking functions, variable-speed control, modular interchangeable hand control units, standard foot-control units, and a variety of safety and instrumentation features. This vehicle offers numerous advantages over traditional modes of assessment and training. These advantages include its lower price and operating costs as compared to a full-sized vehicle; its adaptability to left- or righthanded clients; and the provision of a specially adapted vehicle for vehicle for practice driving and regaining skills and self-confidence away from public thoroughfares. The SSV is one component in the Center's driving assessment and education curriculum that follows a graded progression, beginning with use of a driving simulator, to driving the SSV, to driving a full-sized vehicle.