1. Answer Critical Case Questions

   • Prior to the purchase of a driving control system the VR Specialist (Rehabilitation or Service) must answer the following questions. This may include discussions with the Office Director, Team, and Program Director for Community Services.

     • Is the driving control system necessary for the client to achieve his/her vocational objective?
     • Has VR determined there are no other options to addressing the client’s needs?
     • If there are several options to address the client’s needs has VR ensured the driving control system is the most reasonable option given the client’s current and future situation?
     • Has there been a discussion with the client about his/her ability to afford to maintain and repair the vehicle and the driving control system?

2. Refer Client for a Driving Evaluation

   • A driving evaluation is an essential first step to determine if (1) an individual following an injury or illness is capable of driving or (2) an individual with a disability who has never driven is capable of driving. This evaluation will provide clinical findings regarding finger and hand dexterity, body strength, and range of motion and include recommendations for the type of solution (low or high tech) needed. A Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist should conduct this evaluation.
   • If in doubt as to whether a driving evaluation is a necessary first step or for information about driving evaluation providers, contact your local ATP Technology Specialist.

3. Refer Client to ATP Technology Specialist

   • Initiate ATP Assessment

     • Complete the ATP Referral Form electronically (no hand written referrals) providing all the information requested.
     • Email the completed ATP Referral Form as an attachment to atp.vrforms@nebraska.gov.
     • Review the driver’s evaluation report or complete an initial assessment if a driver’s evaluation was not necessary.
     • Determine or confirmed the need for any driving control system being recommended.
     • Determine whether a high tech driver’s evaluation is needed if the recommendation is for an Advanced Electronic Vehicle Interface Technology (AEVIT) driving control system.
     • Prepare the cost and vendor information for the high tech driver’s evaluation, driving system cost and training cost to VR and the client.
     • Provide a final evaluation report with recommendations and quotes to VR and the ATP Program Coordinator.
     • ATP Program Coordinator will discuss potential funding resources with the Funding Coordinator to offset all or a part of the cost for the recommended technology solutions.

   • The ATP Program Coordinator will send a funding email to the referring VR Specialist and VR Associate providing information about available funding, if any.
   • If the high tech driver’s evaluation has determined the client will be capable of driving safely with the AEVIT driving control system the ATP final report will include a recommendation to refer the client to a Certified Electronic Mobility Controls (EMC) Dealer. Only a Certified Electronic Mobility Controls (EMC) Dealer can install an AEVIT system.
   • Prior to the AEVIT driving control system being installed the EMC Dealer must receive documentation from a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (DRS) certifying the client has completed an assessment and driver training program with the DRS.

4. Review ATP Final Report – VR Specialist will review the ATP final report and make a funding decision. If VR has any issues, questions, or concerns regarding the recommendations he/she will consult with the ATP Technology Specialist.
5. Submit Service Authorization – PLEASE NOTE: VR authorizes to ATP. The VR Authorization must clearly specify what VR is funding and the amount. ATP in turn sends the ATP Service Authorization to the vendor.

   • Email completed authorization as an attachment to atp.vrforms@nebrasksa.gov.

6. Processing Payment

   • Upon receipt of the invoice by ATP, the ATP Associate notifies the ATP Technology Specialist.
   • The ATP Technology Specialist completes an inspection and has the client sign the Acceptance Agreement Form. The Acceptance Agreement Form is sent to the ATP Associate who then pays the invoice.
   • Once payment has been processed, the ATP Associate sends copies of the Acceptance Agreement Form, paid invoice, ATP Service Authorization, and the VR Service Authorization to the VR Associate.
   • The VR Associate enters the payment into QE2 and notifies the VR Specialist that the ATP process is completed.

To the maximum extent possible VR will use service providers and vendors in our geographic area to complete driving assessments, driver’s training, and to install driving control systems. Access to service providers and vendors in our geographic area for assessments, training, installation, and ongoing maintenance of the driving control system must be weighed against comparative costs for these services outside the geographic area.

The policies outlined in the ATP/VR Partnership manual chapter are to be followed when considering driving control systems for clients. This is particularly important with driving systems to ensure collaboration and communication.

AEVIT Driving Control Systems

The cost for a Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist’s (DRS) evaluation ranges from $950 to $1,600. The cost for DRS driver training ranges from $150 to $350 per hour. In addition, there will be travel and per diem costs as the High Tech Driver Evaluation and Training providers are from out of state or similar expense if the client travels to the out of state provider. The number of hours required depends on the client and whether he/she was driving prior to incurring the disability. If the client is a previous driver the required number of training hours will be approximately 15 to 20 hours. If not the required hours will be approximately 30 to 40.

The cost of the AEVIT driving control system ranges from $60,000 to $90,000 depending on the components required by the client.

The AEVIT driving control system cannot be installed on a vehicle that is more than 5 years old and preferably with fewer than 50,000 miles. The reason for this is the system is make, model, and year specific, so the manufacturer does not or cannot maintain an inventory to accommodate all makes and models. Additionally, because of the cost for this system VR doesn’t want the vehicle to wear out and have to incur costs for reinstallation or replacement if the existing system is not compatible with the new vehicle.

The AEVIT driving control system comes with a 5 year, 2,500 hours of operation or 60,000 mile warranty whichever comes first for Servomotor(s), Display, Input Device(s), Vehicle Interface Module, Drive Module(s), Control Module and Chassis. All other components have a 1 year warranty.

The system requires maintenance and system checks every 6 months or 500 hours of operation. Conservatively it may cost approximately $1000 annually for required maintenance. This is not covered by warranty or VR so client needs to take this into consideration as he/she decides whether an AEVIT system is a reasonable option for him/her.

At or just prior to the 5-year mark, the AEVIT driving control system must be removed and shipped to EMC for maintenance, repair, and parts replacement. This process will take between 10 to 20 days. The client will need to make alternative arrangements for transportation during this period of time. Cost varies depending on the amount of necessary repairs and/or number of replacement parts.

The insurance premium increase to cover the cost of the vehicle modifications and AEVIT system is approximately $1,500 per year. Again, the client needs to take this into consideration as he/she considers whether this is a reasonable option for him/her.