By Ines Aviles-Spadoni, M.S., Research Coordinator
Sherrilene Classen, chair of UF’s Department of Occupational Therapy, has been awarded the Award of Excellence by the Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (ADED) for her tireless efforts during her tenure as chair of the ADED Research Committee from 2022 to 2024. Her leadership created strategic initiatives that helped elevate the driving rehabilitation field, recognizing it as an evidence-based academic discipline.
“It’s so rewarding to lead a group of diverse thinkers from the scientific and clinical community who come together to meet and/or exceed identified goals,” Classen said. “Thought leadership, meticulous planning, support from ADED, and the members’ commitment and passion make up the core variables in the algorithm for the success of this committee.”
She expressed her gratitude to the dedicated team members, Hannes Devos, Isabelle Gelinas, Peggy Barco, Emily Haffner, Mary Jeghers, Isabelle Wandenkolk, Benedict Hwangbo, and Beth Gibson for their invaluable contributions.
This commitment to research excellence mirrors the achievements she championed at ADED. As chair, Classen led initiatives that significantly raised national and international visibility for driving rehabilitation, enhanced professional competency, and ensured that the organization’s research agenda aligned with cutting-edge scientific evidence. Her leadership expanded resources to support evidence-based best practices, establishing a foundation that will continue to shape the field’s future.
Under her direction, the ADED Research Committee achieved significant milestones. They organized two highly successful virtual research conferences, in 2023 and 2024, which brought together experts to exchange insights and collaborate. The committee also published the paper “Automated Vehicles: Future Initiatives for Occupational Therapy Practitioners and Driver Rehabilitation Specialists” in the OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research. Additionally, they appointed distinguished scientists and fellows to the committee, developed a standardized rubric for evaluating scientific abstracts, and contributed to peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations on driving and community mobility.
In addition to her work with ADED, Classen has been a vital member of the University of Florida Transportation Institute (UFTI), conducting research funded through a U.S. Department of Transportation grant. Classen’s projects focused on issues in transportation related to older drivers, including a Phase 1 and Phase 2 study on older drivers’ experiences with autonomous vehicles. Through her affiliation with the UFTI, she also led a study examining the barriers and facilitators influencing the acceptance and adoption of autonomous vehicle (AV) shared mobility services by people with disabilities. Classen’s efforts highlight her unwavering dedication to promoting safe, inclusive transportation options. Classen says: “The UFTI has been a meaningful source of funding and support. Its infrastructure and opportunities for networking and collaboration have provided a strong foundation for much of my work in understanding the users’ perceptions in accepting (or not) autonomous vehicle technology”.
Through her imaginative leadership, Classen has not only advanced ADED’s research activities but also strengthened the link between transportation research and clinical practice. Her work with UFTI reflects a solid understanding of the importance of research-driven solutions in addressing real-world mobility challenges.