Our Team
Meet Our Team
Our team includes experienced evaluators, adaptive driving instructors, and rehabilitation professionals who provide specialized support for drivers with a wide range of needs.
Dr. Andrea D. Fairman
PhD, MOT, OTR/L, ATP, DRP, CDI
Evaluator & Adaptive Driving Instructor
Dr. Fairman brings deep clinical insight and a passion for inclusive mobility to every driver she supports. With over 25 years of experience in occupational therapy, assistive technology, and driving rehabilitation. She is a licensed Certified Driving Instructor and a nationally credentialed Driving Rehabilitation Professional (DRP). Dr. Fairman is also the founder and owner of The Driving Doctor: Adaptive Driving and Rehabilitation Solutions, PC, a specialized practice dedicated to evaluating and training drivers with physical, cognitive, and sensory impairments.
Dr. Fairman’s unique qualifications span both clinical and academic domains. She has led federally funded research on assistive technology and adaptive mobility, published widely in peer-reviewed journals, and served as a Principal Investigator on studies focused on driving, technology integration, and functional independence. Her clients include teens learning to drive with disabilities, adults returning to the road after injury or illness, and older adults managing age-related changes.
Education and Credentials
PhD in Rehabilitation Science, University of Pittsburgh
Master of Occupational Therapy, Duquesne University
BA in Rehabilitation Science
Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), RESNA
Certified Driving Instructor (CDI), State of Rhode Island
Driving Rehabilitation Professional (DRP), ADED
Teaching Philosophy: Safety, Self-Efficacy, and Skills for Life
Dr. Fairman’s instructional approach blends evidence-based rehabilitation with a deep understanding of how disability, environment, and personal motivation intersect. Her philosophy is rooted in the belief that driving is more than a form of community mobility - it’s a gateway to independence, identity, and opportunity.
Dr. Fairman assesses each individual’s strengths, learning style, and life goals. Whether introducing vehicle modifications or training drivers to navigate cognitive demands, she prioritizes dignity, safety, and empowerment.
"I see driving as a critical life skill—one that should be accessible, equitable, and tailored to the individual.
My goal is to equip each driver with the tools they need to succeed, not just on the road, but in life."
Justin Z. Laferrier
PT, PhD, NCS, OCS, SCS, ATP, CSCS, AIB-VR
Certified Driving Instructor (CDI)
Dr. Justin Z. Laferrier brings unmatched clinical expertise and a lifelong commitment to individualized care. With over 20 years of experience in complex rehabilitation, biomechanics, and assistive technology, he is both a certified driving instructor and an internationally recognized physical therapist. He is triple board-certified in Neurology, Orthopedics, and Sports Physical Therapy—making him one of the few professionals nationwide with this distinction.
A veteran of both the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Army, Justin has served in leadership roles at the Department of Defense’s Polytrauma and Amputee Centers of Excellence. He has extensive experience working with individuals facing some of the most challenging mobility and neurological conditions, including amputation, polytrauma, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS), and vestibular disorders.
Education and Credentials
PhD in Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh
Master of Science in Physical Therapy, University of Rhode Island
BA in Biology and Psychology
Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), RESNA
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Certified Specialist in Vestibular Rehabilitation
Teaching Philosophy: Driving Success Through Empowerment
Justin’s teaching philosophy centers around empowerment through education, adaptive skill-building, and individualized solutions. Each driver is viewed not through the lens of limitation but through the lens of potential. He combines evidence-based rehabilitation science with real-world driving instruction to foster confidence, safety, and independence behind the wheel.
By integrating advanced clinical knowledge with hands-on driving strategies, Justin ensures that each individual receives a customized learning experience tailored to their physical abilities, cognitive function, and personal goals.
“My goal is to help every driver feel capable, informed, and supported. I teach adaptive driving as both a science and an art—where technology, training, and human resilience meet. No two drivers are the same, and our instruction reflects that.”
Jeremy H. Pavao
Adaptive Driving Instructor
Jeremy is a dedicated Adaptive Driving Instructor with a passion for helping others achieve their full potential. A lifelong Rhode Islander, Jeremy brings patience, empathy, and integrity to his work, ensuring every student receives personalized support on their journey to becoming safe and confident drivers.
Jeremy’s commitment to empowering people of all abilities began early in life while helping care for his aunt, who had Down Syndrome. This early experience shaped his lifelong dedication to advocacy and support. In addition to his work as a driving instructor, Jeremy serves as a Job Coach for self-directed families, supporting individuals with disabilities in achieving independence and success. He proudly works with a gentleman entrepreneur and assists with running events and managing merchandise for his business, We Be Jammin.
Outside of work, Jeremy is a devoted family man and proud father of two. His daughter is currently serving in the U.S. Army, and his son is active in both hockey and lacrosse. Jeremy enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, camping, and cheering on his favorite New England sports teams.
With a diverse professional background that includes entrepreneurship, DJ’ing, and experience in the banking industry, Jeremy brings a wealth of knowledge and a love for new challenges to everything he does. His goal as a driving instructor is to:
“Meet each student where they are, offering the individualized support they need to succeed—on the road and beyond.”
Meet Kathryn Kapiskas, COTA/L
Adaptive Driving Instructor
Kathryn is a lifelong resident of northern Rhode Island, where she works full-time as a certified occupational therapy assistant in a public school department. Kathryn is a proud graduate of the Community College of Rhode Island with an associate's degree in occupational therapy and of Worcester State University with a Bachelor of Science in Occupational Studies. She is licensed to practice as a C.O.T.A. in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and California.
Kathryn is the older sister to her adult brother, who is diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome and ADHD, and she has been instrumental in helping him on the journey to seeking his driver's license. As part of that learning process, Kathryn met Andrea, and a new connection was born. Kathryn looks forward to serving clients of The Driving Doctor who are likewise based in northern Rhode Island.
Justin Cares, BS, CDI
Adaptive Driving Instructor
Justin brings many years of teaching experience in varying capacities to the Driving Doctor team. He is a former Special Education teacher at both the high school and middle school levels. Justin also worked in several after-school programs and group homes earlier in his career. His passion for teaching comes from watching others grow and develop lifelong skills such as driving.
Justin believes in a personalized teaching approach that is tailored to individual students’ needs. He uses relationship-building to work with students with anxiety/reluctance. Patience, empathy, care, and consistency are fundamental to Justin’s practice. He looks forward to helping all students to reach their full driving potential.
When Justin is not teaching others to drive, he enjoys the outdoors. He is often found gardening, mineral and fossil hunting, exercising, traveling, eBaying, watching football and hockey, and spending time with his cats, Blackie and Champ, and trying new pizza places.