History

The history of ADED reflects a unique blending of different professional fields into an organization dedicated to providing quality service in the field of Driver Education/Training for the Disabled. The professional fields represented in ADED consist of:

It is from the professional skills of these individuals working together that ADED has evolved into a functional organization dedicated to providing excellence in its service to the driver with a disability.

ADED began with an organizational meeting in Detroit, Michigan, on August 25 & 26, 1977. Thirty people, from ten states, representing professionals in the field of driver evaluation and training of persons with disabilities attended this meeting. The initial meeting determined the type of organizational structure, the official name, initial officers, standing committees and membership fees. The first official newsletter was also created.

Since that date, ADED has continued to expand. Emphasis is placed on the yearly conference with its pre-conference workshops, conference training programs and one of the largest exhibits of products for both the driver with a disability as well as for the professional working in this field. Membership also continues to increase with representation from nearly every state plus Canada, Australia, and England.

The ADED membership as of August 2008, we have 576 members. There are 306 Individual members, 139 Facility Members, 113 Mobility Equipment Dealer members, and 18 Corporate members.

Highlights in ADED's history include:

• Pre-conference seminars were started in 1986 during the Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona.

   

• Process for recognizing regional ADED chapters began in 1988.

   

• ADED Certificate of Professional Recognition began in 1988 with the granting of charter certification to 32 ADED members.

   

• Incorporation of a Corporate representative to the Board was done in 1990.

   

• Development of a certification examination process for Driver Rehabilitation Specialist's was started in 1992. There are 229 CDRS's with current 2008 ADED membership.

   

• Membership Resource Guide was completed in 1993.

   

• Incorporation of a Vendor representative to the Board was done in 1994.

   

• The Certified Driver Rehabilitation Specialist (CDRS) exam was developed 1994-1995.

   

• The first CDRS exam was August 25, 1995.

   

• ADED officially changed its name from "The Association for Driver Educators for the Disabled" - with the acronym ADED to "ADED, Inc." with the description "The Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists" in 1997.

   

• ADED's website went on-line in March of 1997.

   

• Kathie Regan (KY) and Mike Shipp (LA) became ADED's Co-Directors in January 2002.

   

• ADED moved to Ruston, LA in January 2002, relocating to North Carolina in 2007.

ADED Presidents:

As ADED looks to the future it will continue to incorporate new ideas and services for its membership. These range from a renewed membership drive; assisting in research funding for members; initiation of a professional journal and initiation of a procedure for grievances. ADED is also closely aligned with other professional organizations, including ADA, NMEDA, AOTA, AKTA, SAE,  RESNA and NRA (National Rehabilitation Association).

The future of ADED, if judged by its past history, can only reflect continued growth as an organization dedicated to providing excellence in the field of driving for persons with disabilities.