Webinar focuses on 'Balance, Testing, & Impairment'

The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan will present the Traffic Safety Training Program webinar "Balance, Testing, & Impairment: A Closer Look at the WAT, OLS & Modified Romberg Tests What Do They Really Measure?" on Wednesday, July 19, from noon to 1:30 p.m. via Zoom.

In law enforcement, balance tests are often used to assess the presence of impairment that may be caused by alcohol or drugs. These tests include the Walk and Turn, One Leg Stand, and the Modified Romberg tests. This webinar will cover the following topics so that prosecutors and law enforcement officers can better understand these balance tests:

• What are possible medical problems related to balance impairment?

• What are the diverse methods used for the testing of balance clinically?

• What is the "real" Romberg test?

• What is the role of age on balance tests?

• Included will be a review of research completed in 2010 of the Modified Romberg Test as used in the DRE evaluation and what you need to know about the results when completing this test.

The training webinar will be presented by Dr. Jack Richman, New England College of Optometry.

To register for this free webinar, visit https://michiganprosecutor.org and click on "training." After registering, pending approval, attendees will receive a confirmation email from Zoom with instructions on how to join the webinar. The training handouts, if any, will be made available the day of each webinar.

Anyone with questions or in need of any assistance registering for the webinar should contact Amy Gronowski at gronowskia@michigan.gov or at 517-643-2114.