Jun. 08, 2026
South College Atlanta will host a free community CarFit event to help drivers of all ages stay safe, comfortable and confident behind the wheel. A CarFit certified instructor will oversee students in the Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Physician Assistant (PA) programs as they offer personalized vehicle fit checks, safety adjustments and driving recommendations.
CarFit is a community-based educational program created in 2006 in collaboration by AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) to promote continued safe driving and mobility among older drivers by focusing on safety, comfort and fit in a driver’s personal vehicle.
“Because every driver’s body is different, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to fitting in a car safely,” said Dr. DeAn Sellmann, OTD, OTR, TIE, CarFit certified instructor and OTD interim program director at South College Atlanta. “We use a 12-point checklist to make sure drivers are positioned properly and their mirrors are adjusted to maximize visibility.”
The event is free, open to the public of all ages and takes place on Friday, June 12, from 1-3 p.m. at the South College Atlanta campus, located at 2800 Century Parkway NE, on the first-floor parking deck.
“At South College, we provide interactive learning experiences for our students, and this is another opportunity for OTD and PA students to engage with the community and become certified CarFit technicians,” Sellmann said.
Sellmann said students will evaluate driver positioning and an occupational therapist will offer recommendations which could include adaptive equipment that may improve comfort, visibility and driver safety.
“Driver recommendations may include installing a handy bar for drivers who have difficulty getting in and out of a car, panoramic rearview mirror or a swivel seat cushion to assist drivers in turning from forward facing toward the door,” Sellmann said. “These adaptive equipment pieces can improve driver independence, confidence and safety.”
The OTD program at South College includes comprehensive instruction in patient screening and evaluation of best practices; evidence-based care for patients across the lifespan; research methods, design and analysis; professional leadership and advocacy; and community-based practice and health promotion.
The program can be completed in two years for full-time students and offers a hybrid learning model with online courses taught by highly qualified faculty members and immersive learning at on-campus laboratories with modern equipment. Fieldwork experiences are completed at approved clinical sites.
The Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is designed to help students build a solid foundation in patient assessment, clinical medicine and the medical, behavioral and social sciences. It includes classroom training, hands-on labs and clinical simulation assessments in a variety of patient settings. In just 27 months, students are trained to assess healthcare issues, perform physical exams, counsel behavioral health issues and diagnose and treat acute and chronic illnesses and injuries.
Founded in 2018, South College Atlanta offers a variety of healthcare programs, including Bachelor of Science in Nursing and healthcare-centric Associate of Science programs in Surgical Technology, Nursing, Health Science (Pre-Nursing), Radiography, Diagnostic Medical Sonography and Respiratory Therapy, along with a number of certificate programs. Interested students may call the admissions team at 404-282-3632 or visit south.edu/atlanta.
Across its national footprint, South College offers more than 150 academic programs and concentrations in business, education, healthcare and other fields. The institution was founded in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1882 and now includes 10 physical campuses, online learning and Competency-Based Education (CBE).
To learn more about South College, visit south.edu.
About South College
South College serves more than 20,000 students and is proud of its more than 20,000 graduates. The institution offers academic programs at multiple levels, including professional certificates and associate, bachelor’s, master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs via campuses in Knoxville and Nashville, Tennessee; Asheville, North Carolina; Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia; Indianapolis, Indiana; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Dallas, Texas; and Orlando, Florida, as well as Online and CBE. South College focuses on ensuring high standards and quality educational offerings, maintaining multiple authorizations and accreditations.
South College’s programs span diverse fields such as business, criminal justice, dental hygiene/assisting, diagnostic medical sonography, nursing, occupational therapy, paralegal studies, physical therapy, radiography, respiratory therapy, physician assistant studies, pharmacy and surgical technology. The institution is dedicated to preparing students with the skills and knowledge needed for the professional opportunities ahead of them. For more information, visit south.edu.
