2013 AOTA Conference

Travel safe and have fun to all of the OT staff and students attending this year's AOTA Conference in San Diego!

For anyone not attending, you can follow the events on twitter and facebook!

Occupational Therapy and Universal Design

OT + UD

What is universal design?

Definition from Ron Mace and the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University:

Universal design is the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design

Examples of UD products/spaces:

• Automatic doors at grocery stores 
• Levered door handles
• Moving sidewalks at airports
• City Garden (downtown STL)

What do OTs have to do with universal design?

There are not many individuals within the various design fields who particularly focus their schemes on designing spaces with the human life span, development, and varying level of ability in mind. OT's are not only expert task analyzers but also recognize that an individual's occupational performance and engagement are dependent upon their environments.

Principles of UD:

1.       Equitable use- the design is useful and marketable to people with diverse abilities

2.       Flexibility in use- the design accommodates a wide range of individual preferences and abilities

3.       Simple and intuitive use- use of design is easy to understand, regardless of the user’s experience, knowledge, language skills, or current concentration level

4.       Perceptible information- the design communicates necessary information effectively to the user, regardless of ambient conditions or the user’s sensory abilities

5.       Tolerance for error- the design minimizes hazards and the adverse consequences of accidental or unintended actions

6.       Low physical effort- the design can be used efficiently and comfortably and with a minimum of fatigue

7.       Size and space for approach and use-appropriate size and space is provided for approach, reach, manipulation, and use regardless of user’s body size, posture, or mobility

Why use Universal Design?

• allows older adults the option to “age-in-place"
•  more attractive design options than the stereotypical accessible features 
• increases an individual’s level of potential independence 
• increases integration in to the community for individuals who may otherwise have special housing needs that would isolate them 
• cost-effective
• conceptually more developed than current accessibility and ADA laws

How do I learn more about UD?

• Universal Design Summit 5, a national conference focused on universal design in housing and communities, will be taking place at the Busch Student Center (on the campus of Saint Louis University), May 6-8^th. For additional information about the conference please visit: http://udsummit.net/ 
• Follow the conference on twitter (@UD Summit) or “like” us on Facebook (facebook.com/UniversalDesignSummit)

This UD garden features a walkway that includes color contrast and texture changes, benches for those who need rest breaks, and some shade. Additionally, there are raised garden planters. What an attractive design!!

This UD laundry room features raised washer/dry with front mounted controls, a pull under sink, loop handles on cabinets and drawers, wheeled laundry cart with garage.

This bathroom contains many UD features such as: a curbless shower entrance, a hand-held shower head, a shower bench, and a turning space.

This type of lock features allows keyed or touch button operation.

This entrance features gradually sloping sidewalk that leading to the front door. The door has UD features, including a covered entrance-to protect owners from the elements and a side lite, to see who is at the door and to let in natural light.

Handsome, well lit bathroom with clear space under the sink. The lever handle on the faucet is attractive and easier for everyone to use.

Splinting Lab

 

 

MOT I students have been learning how to create different types of splints in our Occupational Therapy for Adults with Physical Dysfunctions course. We started with simple finger splints and have progressed to the much more difficult wrist cock-up splint and hand based thumb spica splint. Next week we will start on resting hand splint. While it has been stressful and frustrating learning to work with splinting material, it is rewarding to see the end product and to know that we are getting closer and closer to becoming official OT’s!

 

Dr. Karen Barney Last Lecturer

Wednesday April 17^th, 2013

7pm in the BSC 170

 

 

You may already believe that OT is a big deal, but one special woman is making OT famous in  SLU’s greater community. Dr. Barney has been chosen to give THE Last Lecture for this year, which happens to be tonight in the BSC. The university chose Dr. Barney at a pivotal time in our department’s history and in her personal career. 

 

Before my MOT 1 year, I had only seen Dr. Barney’s smiling face in the hallway and had little clue as to what an influential woman she was! Since then, I have learned more about who she is as a teacher, a professional, and a person. I have had the honor to be in the last MOT class that she actively teaches. That’s right, she is no longer teaching, but do not be alarmed, she is not “retiring” in the terms that many Americans tend to think of. In fact, I’m pretty sure she would not, could not, and (in my opinion) should not retire because she is such a power-house of action that a change in occupational pace of life to this extent would be unheard of. Instead, she is focusing her efforts more on research and her passions. She left us students with this message on her retirement:

 

“Teaching will be one of the parts of my life that I will most miss in retirement--the regular contact with students in the classroom.  However, I hope that students will still join me in the field in our developing programs in practice and outcomes research.”

 

She will still actively stay engaged in her numerous life endeavors and asks that students consider engaging in them as well. If you attend her Last Lecture, you will surely learn more, but a brief overview of her life endeavors include:

·         Geriatric occupational therapy practice (45 years of experience!) focusing on health promotion, quality of life issues, occupational justice with marginalized populations, and innovative service models.

·         Crucial involvement since the beginning of the Missouri Gateway Geriatric Education Center in 1991 at Saint Louis University.

·         Project Director for an ongoing cross cultural disability awareness program in Afghanistan.

·         BFFs with a major leader in OT Frank Kronenburg.

She has worked with him and his foundation,

Occupational Therapy without borders. She has ensured

SLU’s involvement and connection with his research

Dr. Barney and Frank Kronenberg
"We're attached at the hip!"
~Dr. Barney

in post-apartheid South Africa.

·         In conjunction with South Africa research, Dr. Barney

continues to be committed to the Saint Louis North

City Initiative, to reduce health inequalities in

underprivileged areas. Few people have thought to

look introspectively at our own context in St. Louis

and connect it to the greater world (South Africa). But

leave it to Dr. Barney to find an opportunity for learning and

addressing issues for those marginalized on the brink of our own society.

·         Speaking of concern for those marginalized on the brink of our society, she also works with the SLU Prison Program as Chair of the Re-Entry Program Committee. Imagine the work that OT could have in rehabilitating and preparing inmates for life outside of the prison. We better believe that meaningful occupations are incredibly rehabilitative and crucial to survival and successful re-entry back into society.

 

I, as an MOT1 student, am incredibly blessed to have met and learned from such an influential woman. I hope that you take the time to hear her Last Lecture on Wednesday. I think that nothing parallels hearing an influential person give a talk on the most important subject that they can think of for their Last Lecture. In particular, Dr. Barney has a unique personality that invites you to join in on every cause that she believes in and instills in you a sense of drive and purpose. I can tell you that you will come way inspired to act and reaffirmed in your decision to join the wonderful career of occupational therapy.

 

And I will end with a quote from Dr. Barney:

“Occupational therapy is one of the best kept secrets for promoting health--WE ARE the QUALITY OF LIFE profession!  Carry the torch and light the world with this message.”

 

I hope to see you on Wednesday!

All the best,

Andrea Webber, MOT1

Saint Louis University Special Olympics Swim Meet

 

 Volunteers getting their assignments from one of the coordinators.

SWIMMINGLY SUCCESSFUL VOLUNTEERISM

                Sunday, April 7, 2013, marked the second annual SO-SLU Special Olympics Swim Meet held at the Mid-County YMCA.  51 athletes participated in the meet as preparation for their Area Meet coming up at the end of April.  With various heats for of divisions for children through older adults, volunteers helped each swimmer get to their lane, record times, and serve as judges as preparation for disqualifications in later meets. 

                Occupational Therapy students helped represent the volunteers hosting the meet.  Volunteers had the opportunity to interact with all ages and cheer on the swimmers in support.  A group of volunteers had the privilege to honor each athlete with their designated metal.  The excitement and appreciation the athletes and their families shared with the volunteers made the whole day a resounding success.