N.S. man with disability frustrated by driver evaluation delays

Wolfville resident Mark Selvidge says he is frustrated that he has had to hit the brakes on his attempt to get his first driver's licence.

It is due to lack of staff at the province's program that assesses people with physical and cognitive disabilities for their ability to drive safely.

Selvidge has partial paralysis in his right hand and is partially blind in both eyes.

He was referred to the Driver Evaluation Program, run by the Nova Scotia Health Authority, by his doctor in March. His doctor advised him not to seek a full licence until he had the assessment.

The program varies case-by-case depending on the client's needs, but it always starts with a physician's referral. It can involve a medical evaluation, on-the-road assessment and recommendations for car modifications.

Selvidge said he completed a driving course this summer and was ready to get the on-the-road assessment with an occupational therapist in Halifax. 

However, he was informed in September that the occupational therapist he was supposed to see would be unavailable indefinitely due to illness.

No timeline for assessment

After waiting for three months, Selvidge said isn't sure when he will be assessed. 

"It makes me feel dehumanized," he said. "And it makes me feel like I'm not worth it. I'm not able to do things because most jobs you find nowadays require a driver's licence or they require you to get to Halifax or Windsor."

In an email, a spokesperson for the health authority said the vacancy has been filled, bringing it to 50 per cent capacity. The health authority hopes to resume service in January.

The health authority didn't say how long the service had not been staffed.

The program is on hold, according to the health authority's website. Existing referrals are being retained and new referrals accepted.

Options are few

Selvidge said he was told two other occupational therapists offer the program, one in P.E.I. and another in Cape Breton. But he said neither option would work for him because he depends on other people for transportation. 

Karla Crawford is P.E.I.'s only driving rehabilitation occupational therapist. She said people from Nova Scotia have been contacting her since the Nova Scotia occupational therapist went on leave.

She only does driving assessments part-time and doesn't have the capacity to take out-of-province clients.

"I've had emails from physicians, therapists, all people who are aware that there's a service in P.E.I. [saying], 'Maybe we can send our clients to P.E.I.,' instead of waiting indefinitely," she said.  

Crawford said the length of assessment varies depending on the client. She said sometimes she can do the medical and on-the-road evaluation in one day, but other times clients might need weeks or even months. 

This means that even if Selvidge could find a way to go to P.E.I., he might have to stay there, which would cost more. 

Brian McLeod, the occupational therapist in Cape Breton, declined the request for an interview. 

Selvidge's future

Selvidge said he called the program after he learned the vacancy had been filled. He said he was told that there is no date for an assessment yet, but that he might receive a call soon. 

He fears waiting too long before getting behind the wheel might hinder his ability to drive, but he is set on eventually achieving this goal. 

"It's been a long road, but I'm determined to see this through because it's not only about driving for me, it's about independence," said Selvidge.