Approximately 1 in 7 Americans have disabilities that interfere with life activities. They may be limited much more by policies, attitudes, access to technology, and other environmental factors than by their own skills (Institute of Medicine, 1991). Themedical model focuses on fixing the person; health professionals with disability awareness can change society to facilitate more opportunity for participation by all members.
The Community Service Assistantship (CSA) was designed to help Occupational Therapy students develop disability awareness and advocacy skills through service learning .The model can be used with other health professional students or with undergraduates. It promotes an ecological perspective on factors that can enable persons with disability to have healthy, meaningful lives. The students do volunteer type work with individuals and groups in community settings to explore this perspective and to address advocacy.
Discussions, journals, and questionnaires facilitate reflection on the ways that technology, policy, education, and environmental factors influence the health of people with disabilities.Qualitative analysis indicates that CSA participants are finding ways to partner with people who have disabilities to improve social responsiveness and sensitivity.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner)will be able to: Describe service learning as a strategy for professional development and for contributing to the community. Discuss the purpose and benefits of providing health professionals with disability awareness and advocacy perspectives. Outline a model for integrating disability awareness into an academic program. Identify techniques for student placement, program monitoring, and evaluation
Keywords: Disability Studies, Community Participation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.