# data[].attributes.body
-Provide children the opportunity to actively participate in occupations that allow them to learn and develop life essential skills, be creative through play, thrive through their self-care and relationships with others, as both a means and an end (AOTA, 2015).
-OT's match the skills and abilities of clients with the use of tools to meet the demands of their occupations (Goodrich & Garza, 2015).

# data[].attributes.body
Cochlear Implant
iPad Tablet
Text to Speech
Word Processor with Word Prediction
Power Wheelchair

# data[].attributes.body
Pencil Grip
Headphones
Slant Board
Velcro Communication Board/Binder
Adapted Scissors

# data[].attributes.body
DIY Pencil Grips

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
CHEAP 10 DIY PENCIL GRIPs Ideas for Mature Tripod Grasp to Perfect Handwriting Skills for Kids

# data[].attributes.body
-Focus on the functioning of older individuals to help them live a more independent and safer life, while "aging in place" (AOTA, 2021).
-Provide tools to optimize home environment, relative to their abilities to promote full participation in their daily lives (Fagan & Sabata, 2016).

# data[].attributes.body
Robotic Vacuum
Amazon Alexa
Power Scooter
Hearing Aid
Bed Lift

# data[].attributes.body
Large Print Cook Books
High Contrast Dials for Oven and Stove
Cane
Walker
Glasses

# data[].attributes.body
Productive Aging

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Occupational therapy practitioners address all aspects of aging, from wellness strategies to treatment. With a focus on function, occupational therapy practitioners help keep older adults independent and safe, reducing health care costs associated with hospitalization and institutional care.

Occupational therapists must have a master's degree for entry-level practice, and occupational therapy assistants must have an associate's degree. Both must pass an initial certification exam.

The Fact Sheets below provide information on occupational therapy's role with a variety of issues related to aging.

Community Mobility and Older Drivers
Driving and Transportation Alternatives for Older Adults The Occupational Therapy Role in Driving and Community Mobility Across the Lifespan Behind the Wheel: Occupational Therapy and Older Drivers
An Older Driver Rehabilitation Primer for Occupational Therapy Professionals - pdf

Occupational Therapy's Role in Judicial Decisions About Older Drivers: A Guide for Occupational Therapists- pdf

Chronic Conditions

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Chronic Disease Management - pdf, 3.1 mb

Occupational Therapy's Role in Diabetes Self-Management - pdf, 1 mb

Occupational Therapy's Role in Health Promotion - pdf, 3.1 mb

Occupational Therapy's Role in Managing Arthritis - pdf, 774 kb

Living Life To Its Fullest™: Managing Chronic Pain With Occupational Therapy

Dementia
Dementia and the Role of Occupational Therapy Occupational Therapy's Role in Adult Cognitive Disorders
Falls Prevention
Occupational Therapy and Prevention of Falls Preventing Falls With Occupational Therapy
Home Modifications
Home Modifications and Occupational Therapy Home Modifications Promote Independent Living
Mental Health

Occupational Therapy's Role in Mental Health Recovery - pdf

Occupational Therapy's Role in Restraint Reduction or Elimination - pdf

Stroke
Recovering from Stroke with Occupational Therapy: Living Life To Its Fullest™
The Role of Occupational Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation - pdf

OT's Role in Facilities
Occupational Therapy's Role in Home Health Occupational Therapy's Role in Assisted Living Facilities
Occupational Therapy's Role in Senior Centers - pdf, 1.6 mb

Occupational Therapy's Role in Skilled Nursing Facilities
OT for all Older Adults

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Providing Assistive Technology Devices and Services - pdf

Occupational Therapy's Role in Sleep - pdf, 603 kb

Addressing Sensory Integration Across the Lifespan Through Occupational Therapy - pdf

Occupational Therapy: A Vital Role in Dysphagia Care - pdf, 1.4 mb

Occupational Therapy Services for Persons With Visual Impairment - pdf, 738 kb

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Oncology - pdf, 573 kb

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Palliative Care - pdf, 3.7 mb

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Occupational therapy practitioners address all aspects of aging, from wellness strategies to treatment. With a focus on function, occupational therapy practitioners help keep older adults independent and safe, reducing health care costs associated with hospitalization and institutional care. Occupational therapists must have a master's degree for entry-level practice, and occupational therapy assistants must have an associate's degree.

# data[].attributes.body
To empower individuals to fully participate in their occupations, and to be successful and satisfied with their selected occupations! (Champagne & Gray, 2016).

# data[].attributes.body
iPad Tablet
DBSA Wellness Tracker
iPhone
Waze App
Social Networks

# data[].attributes.body
Service Animal
Headphones
Visual Schedule
Sqishy Stress Ball
Coloring Book

# data[].attributes.body
To help individuals that are recovering from illness, injury, or are living with a disability to function within their environments with the abilities they do have, while also utilizing tools to enhance their independence in participating in daily occupations (AOTA, 2021).

# data[].attributes.body
Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill
Kinova Jaco Assistive Robotic Arm
Customized Power Wheelchair
After Market Seat Modification
Side Access Wheelchair Ramp

# data[].attributes.body
Sock Aid
Shoe Horn
Raised Toilet Seat
The Handybar
Built Up Utensils

# data[].attributes.body
Kinova Jaco Assistive Robotic Arm

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Live Your Best Life Imagine being able to do almost anything a human arm can do, safely and independently. The Kinova ® Jaco ® assistive robotic arm improves the quality of life for everyone: users gain autonomy to reach their potential, and occupational therapists can focus more on quality of care.

# data[].attributes.body
To maximize a client's capacity to participate in their daily life activities that are meaningful to them, while also promoting overall health and wellness! (AOTA, 2021).

# data[].attributes.body
iPhone
HealthView App
My Fitness Pal App
Apple Watch
Fitbit

# data[].attributes.body
Printable Exercise Log
Lumbar Spine Chair Support
Ankle Weights
Blood Pressure Monitor
Oxygen Monitor

# data[].attributes.body
-To improve the balance between the person, their job tasks, and their environment
-OTs work with employees & employers to adapt or modify work tasks and facilitate a successful return to work after illness or injury
-OTs help prevent illness and injury within the workplace!
(Dorsey et al., 2017).

# data[].attributes.body
Wireless Printer
iPhone Magnifier
Ergonomic Optical Mouse
Headset and Microphone
Bluetooth Ergonomic Keyboard

# data[].attributes.body
Anti-Vibration Gloves
Heat Resistant Gloves (protect from hot)
Thermal Gloves (protect from cold)
Footrest at workstation
Adjustable Chair at workstation

# data[].attributes.body
Anti-Vibration Gloves

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Anti-Vibration Gloves | Chrome Series® 4024

# data[].attributes.body
-OTs apply the most up to date research in their service delivery!
-Use evidence-based practice to support effectiveness of OT interventions with patients and clients
(AOTA, 2021).

# data[].attributes.body
IPad Tablet
Computer
Google
Safari
Cell phone

# data[].attributes.body
Books
Printed Journal Articles
Flyers
Pencils
Highlighters

# data[].attributes.body
Evidence-Based Practice

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Occupational therapy is a science-driven profession that applies the most up-to-date research to service delivery. Evidence supports the effectiveness of adding an occupational therapy practitioner to your patients' or clients' treatment plan. According to systematic reviews from AOTA's Evidence-Based Practice Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines, evidence shows that the following occupational therapy interventions improve client outcomes. These interventions are used as part of a broad approach that considers the patient's performance skills (motor, process, social interaction); activity demands; performance patterns (habits, routines, rituals, roles); and contexts and environments.

Pediatrics

Early Childhood

Play-based activities, rehearsal of social behaviors, modeling, and prompting to improve social behaviors

Oral stimulation programs, skin-to-skin contact, and sensory-motor-oral interventions to reduce the length of hospital stay

An early intervention program for preterm infants to improve cognitive outcomes in infancy and preschool

Infant massage to improve sleep and relaxation, reduce crying, and reduce hormones affecting stress

A caregiver-delivered home program for infants updated at 1, 2, and 3 months to improve motor performance

Family-centered help-giving that incorporates support to strengthen the family to improve satisfaction, parenting behavior, personal and family well-being, social support, and child behavior

Mental Health

Social and life skills programs for children with intellectual impairments and developmental delays to improve life skills, conversation turn-taking, initiation of social interaction, self-management, and compliance, and to decrease problem behaviors

Parenting programs for teenage mothers and their children to improve mother-infant interaction and parental attitudes and knowledge, maternal mealtime communication, self-confidence, and identity

Structured recreation and activity program for children with extreme shyness to increase extraversion and decrease timidity

Sensory Integration and Sensory Processing

A cognitive and task-based approach to address participation in occupations for children with motor-deficits characteristic of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

Sensory integration for gross motor and motor planning skills for children with learning disabilities

Sensory integration to address maladaptive behaviors in children with problems in sensory processing

Touch pressure/deep pressure and massage to address touch aversion and improved responsiveness to sound in children with autism

Gerontology

Evidence Supports the Distinct Value of Occupational Therapy for Older Adults - pdf

Client-centered occupational therapy to improve physical functioning and occupational performance related to health management in frail older adults, and older adults with osteoarthritis and macular degeneration

Home modification and adaptive equipment provided by occupational therapy practitioners to reduce functional decline and improve safety

Exercise involving functional activities for older adults

Progressive resistance strength training to improve community mobility and meal preparation. Strengthening, balance retraining, and a walking plan to reduce falls and injuries for those older than 80 years

Short-term classroom and on-road instruction to improve driving knowledge and skills

Use of bioptics to improve simulated and on-road driving skills as well as outdoor mobility skill for older adults with visual impairments

Rehabilitation & Disability

Inpatient rehabilitation for individuals with multiple sclerosis to reduce disease severity and improve ADL status

Home-based, individualized, and computerized cognitive training to improve attention, memory, information processing, and executive functions for individuals with multiple sclerosis

Multi-session, repetitive physical exercise tasks for individuals with Parkinson's disease to improve diachronic motor and sensory-perceptual performance skills

Client-preferred external cues during ADLs to improve motor control for individuals with Parkinson's disease

Multidisciplinary program to improve survival, increase the use of appropriate assistive devices, and facilitate a higher quality of life in social functioning and mental health

Therapy based on personally meaningful tasks to increase therapeutic gains for individuals recovering from stroke

Instructions that focus on task-related parameters rather than on specific movement-related parameters, to improve movement organization among stroke survivors

Brief program of occupational therapy in home following discharge from hospital after stroke to improve recovery

Occupational therapy in stroke survivors' homes focusing on community mobility, to increase community participation

Practice dressing for stroke survivors to improve independence in dressing and maintain improvements after therapy

Adults With Serious Mental Illnesses

Life and social skills training with extended training in natural environments, to improve daily interactions

Cognitive skills training in conjunction with supported employment to improve job retention

Lifestyle interventions to improve health behaviors related to obesity and metabolic syndrome to reduce health care costs

Supported education programs to meet postsecondary education goals to promote independence

Physical activity, exercise, and outdoor activities to improve symptoms of depression and anxiety

Social cognition and problem solving training to enhance community participation

Client-centered approaches, rather than predetermined regimens, to reduce disability and improve function, including return to work

Therapeutic occupations and activities, rather than bed rest, to reduce pain and improve functional recovery for individuals with low back pain

Meaningful and relevant therapeutic hand activities combining multiple movement patterns, force, and volition to facilitate better outcomes than exercise alone

More information from the AOTA Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines can be provided upon request. Contact AOTA at promotions@aota.org.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Occupational therapy is a science-driven profession that applies the most up-to-date research to service delivery. Evidence supports the effectiveness of adding an occupational therapy practitioner to your patients' or clients' treatment plan. According to systematic reviews from AOTA's Evidence-Based Practice Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines, evidence shows that the following occupational therapy interventions improve client outcomes.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
The DBSA Wellness Tracker consists of one main Mood Tracker and seven supporting systems, behavior, and lifestyle trackers designed to work together to give you an overall picture of your wellness.

This wellness tracker was designed to be used in a way that will work best for you; use all of the sheets or just some of them to begin your wellness journey. See individual sheets below.

Tracker Components

Tracking moods, symptoms, medications, and lifestyle everyday will give you a visual representation of your wellness for the month.

Journals

The purpose of the journals is to record any significant experiences or details about what you've tracked that might later help you interpret your mood graph.

Wellness isn't just about tracking symptoms.

DBSA believes that wellness encompasses an individual's whole life. The DBSA Wellness Wheel explores wellness in 7 key areas: Social, Physical, Occupational, Spiritual, Intellectual, Environmental, and Financial. Therefore, we created this special goal planning and tracking tool to tie these 7 areas of wellness to the DBSA Wellness Tracker. If you haven't already, download the DBSA Wellness Wheel Workbook to see which of the 7 areas of wellness you'd like to create goals around.

PHQ-9 Depression Scale

The PHQ-9 is the nine-item depression scale of the Patient Health Questionnaire. You can complete the PHQ-9 twice monthly as a way to check in with yourself or to discuss with your mental health professional.
Note: It is important to remember that this is only an assessment and not a diagnosis. We encourage you to discuss scores with your mental health professional.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Wellness Tracker - Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The DBSA Wellness Tracker consists of one main Mood Tracker and seven supporting systems, behavior, and lifestyle trackers designed to work together to give you an overall picture of your wellness. This wellness tracker was designed to be used in a way that will work best for you; use all of the sheets or just some of them to begin your wellness journey.

# data[].attributes.body
Headphones for Kids

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
BEST KIDS HEADPHONE! 2020 | TechBee 2020

# data[].attributes.body
American Occupational Therapy Association. (2021). Evidence-based practice. American Occupational Therapy Association. https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Professionals/EBP.aspx

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2021). Occupational therapy’s role with health promotion. American Occupational Therapy Association. https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/HW/Facts/FactSheet_HealthPromotion.pdf

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2021). Productive aging. American Occupational Therapy Association. https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Professionals/PA.aspx

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2021). Rehabilitation, disability, and participation. American Occupational Therapy Association. https://www.aota.org/About-Occupational-Therapy/Professionals/RDP.aspx

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2015). Occupational therapy’s role with children and youth. American Occupational Therapy Association. [Fact Sheet]. https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/CY/Fact-Sheets/Children%20and%20Youth%20fact%20sheet.pdf

Champagne, T. & Gray, K. (2016). Occupational therapy’s role with mental health recovery. American Occupational Therapy Association. [Fact Sheet]. https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/MH/Facts/Mental%20Health%20Recovery.pdf

Cook, A., Polgar, J., & Encarnacao, P. (2020). Assistive technologies: principles and practice (5th ed). Elsevier.

Dorsey, J., Finch, D., Ehrenfried, H., & Jaegers, L. (2017). Work rehabilitation. American Occupational Therapy Association. [Fact Sheet]. https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/WI/Facts/Work-rehab.pdf

Fagan, L. A. & Sabata, D. (2016). Occupational therapy’s role with home modifications. American Occupational Therapy Association. [Fact Sheet]. https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/RDP/Facts/HomeMod-Occ-Therapy.pdf

Goodrich, B. & Garza, E. (2015). Occupational therapy’s role with providing assistive technology devices and services. American Occupational Therapy Association. [Fact Sheet]. https://www.aota.org/-/media/Corporate/Files/AboutOT/Professionals/WhatIsOT/RDP/Facts/AT-fact-sheet.pdf

Kuhaneck, H., & O’Brien, J. C. (2020). Case-Smith’s Occupational therapy for children and adolescents (8th ed.). Elsevier.

Pendleton, H. M. H., & Schultz-Krohn, W. (2018). Pedretti's occupational Therapy: Practice skills for Physical Dysfunction. Elsevier.

Thackeray, R. & Hunter, M. (2010). Empowering youth: Use of technology in advocacy to affect social change. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 15(4), 575-591. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1083-6101.2009.01503.x

# data[].attributes.body
DIY Communication Board

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
👶🏽  DIY Visual Communication Board: Improve Early Communication For Toddlers with Speech Delays

# data[].attributes.body
Word Prediction Technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Word prediction is an assistive technology tool that suggests words while a child types.

Kids with writing issues can benefit from this technology.

You may have used word prediction on a smartphone, but more advanced tools also exist.

Word prediction is an assistive technology tool for writing that suggests words as a child types. If you've sent text messages with a smartphone, you've probably used it already. But you may not know about the advanced word prediction options now available. These tools can be very helpful for kids who struggle with writing.

Read on for more about how word prediction technology tools work and where to find them.

How Word Prediction Works

To use word prediction, your child needs to use a keyboard to write. This can be an onscreen keyboard on a smartphone or digital tablet. Or it can be a physical keyboard connected to a device or computer.

When a child types words, word prediction detects what letters are being typed. After a few letters, it makes suggestions for words it thinks the child is trying to write. Those suggestions are shown on the screen, like at the top of an onscreen keyboard. The child clicks or taps on a suggested word, and it's inserted into the writing.

There are also advanced word prediction tools available. They include:

Tools that read word choices aloud with text-to-speech. This is important for kids with reading issues who can't read what the suggestions are.

Word prediction tools that make suggestions tailored to specific topics. For instance, the words used in a history paper will differ a lot from those in a science report. To make suggestions more accurate, kids can pick special dictionaries for what they're writing about.

Tools that display word suggestions in example sentences. This can help kids decide between words that are confusing, like to, too and two.

Types of Word Prediction Tools

Word prediction is available on many platforms.

Built-in word prediction: Basic, free word prediction is built into almost every device. This includes iOS and Android mobile devices, Windows tablets and Chromebooks. The technology is also available in the Windows 10 and macOS operating systems. Your child doesn't need to purchase or download anything to use these built-in tools.

Word prediction apps: You and your child can download many word prediction apps on smartphones and digital tablets. Sometimes, the technology is part of a word processor application. Examples include iWordQ and Spell Better. Or it may be included as part of an onscreen keyboard, like Co:Writer Universal, Read&Write or Dyslexia Keyboard.

Chrome tools: Chrome has several tools called extensions and apps with word prediction. Co:Writer Universal and WordQ are examples. See more Chrome tools for kids with writing issues.

Word prediction software programs: There are several literacy software programs for desktop and laptop computers. They offer word prediction in addition to other reading and writing tools. Examples include Clicker 7, Kurzweil 3000, and Ghotit Real Writer & Reader. Learn more about software for kids with writing issues.

How Word Prediction Can Help Your Child

Kids with writing issues may have difficulty finding, choosing or spelling the words that express their thoughts. By making suggestions, word prediction makes this process easier. Here are some of the ways it can help:

Kids with motor skills issues need to press only one or just a few keys, rather than many, to type out a word.

Kids who have trouble spelling can broaden the range of words they use while writing. Without word prediction, these kids often avoid words they can't spell.

Kids with writing issues can use word prediction as extra support, so they can focus on the ideas they're trying to express.

Kids can also use word prediction to practice their phonics skills. Kids can practice sounding out words while writing them.

Word prediction can be a big help for many kids with learning and thinking differences. Keep in mind, it's only one tool. Kids may still need writing instruction or other accommodations for writing, like a scribe to write down what they say. Physical tools may also be helpful for handwriting. And your child may prefer another assistive technology, like dictation or graphic organizers.

Word prediction is available on nearly every platform, from iOS and Android devices, to Chromebooks, Windows and macOS computers.

Some word prediction tools can make suggestions tailored to specific writing topics.

While word prediction can help with writing, kids may still need instruction or other accommodations.

About the Author

About the Author

Jamie Martin is an assistive technology specialist at the New England Assistive Technology Center (NEAT) in Hartford, Connecticut.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Word Prediction Technology: What It Is and How It Works

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Word prediction is an assistive technology tool that suggests words while a child types. Kids with writing issues can benefit from this technology. You may have used word prediction on a smartphone, but more advanced tools also exist. Word prediction is an assistive technology tool for writing that suggests words as a child types.

# data[].attributes.body
Text to Speech Robot

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Karaoke Ver v3 v4

*If the language you want to use is not listed, Try >> Text To Speech Online Version 2.0.

TTS Robot , 4 Different Versions. Find out which version is right for you.

* TTs Karaoke - Default Home Version 1.0 ,the result is that when you press 'Play' the words are highlighted as they are read. Convert, unlimited text to audio for voice over & video projects.

* Text To Talk Online , Unlimited Version 2.0
Text To Speech Version 2.0
You can also use TTS Player Online Version 2.0 to find out the installed languages on your system.All default or third-party voices installed on your system will appear in the List/Menu of the available voices.
>> Text To Speech Online Version 2.0.

* TTS Download MP3 ,Version 3.0 - 4.0
Text To Speech Mp3
Type what you want and convert written text into natural-sounding MP3 audio file, in a variety of languages accents, dialects and voices.Download the output file to your Computer, Phone And Tablet. Easily Create free narration for your Business videos, PowerPoint Presentation, E-learning content, Language learning and more .
>> Text To Speech Download MP3 Version 3.0 - v4.0

* Text To Speech Dialogue.
TTS Dialogue
TTS Dialogue allows you to quickly select different voices and to combine her among them to create dialogues among more voices.Suitable for creating conversations between two or more characters with TTS voices .
>> Text To Speech Dialogue.

Convert Clear Text

Play or Download & Rename Audio File To .mp3

Your browser does not support the audio element.

Convert Clear Text

Play or Download & Rename Audio File To .mp3

Your browser does not support the audio element.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Karaoke Ver v3 v4 *If the language you want to use is not listed, Try >> Text To Speech Online Version 2.0. TTS Robot , 4 Different Versions. Find out which version is right for you.

# data[].attributes.body
Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
Assistive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Rehabilitation is about to get lifted, literally. The Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill uses differential air pressure technology developed by NASA to provide comfortable partial weight-bearing therapy while promoting normal gait patterns.

All of this talk sounds really fancy, but essentially what this new treadmill provides is an alternative to straps, that traditionally are attached to the upper body, so as to allow for a freer range of motion while still taking the weight and pressure off of the lower extremities.

Appearing as if enveloped in a large black marshmallow, the treadmill helps the user recover from injuries or even help those who have never walked before to work on their range of motion and build strength, purposes include: rehab after injury or surgery, rehab after total joint replacement, gait training in neurological patients, strengthening and conditioning in older patients, weight control and reduction, sport specific conditioning and aerobic conditioning.

Most doctors and therapists recommend that patients get moving soon after surgery. With the Alter-G, patients can get going with as little as 25% partial weight baring clearance. However, this lighter than air technology has its place in the world of assistive technology too.

Company CEO Steve Basta, pointed out that the machine could potentially be used to help those with neurological issues, for instance it may be ideal for people with Cerebral Palsy. "What the machine is great for is muscle strengthening; nervous system development (so that patients can feel their feet and know where they are); movement and bringing feeling to the bottom of the feet. Basta also explained how with low pressure walking, (i.e., on this specialized treadmill), muscles are strengthened, but in addition, neurological pathways are re-wired which ultimately retrains the brain to walk with greater ease." - www.cerebralpalsylawdoctor.com

There has been some criticism of the use of the machine for people with CP. Many claim that while there is initial excitement at the effectiveness of the machine, some patients regress after making progress. Researchers are not sure if this has to do with the machine or the CP.

Visit their website, to find an Alter-G Treadmill nearest to you.
Alter-G Demo Video

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Defying Gravity: a treadmill that makes you feel lighter than air - Assistive Technology at Easter Seals Crossroads

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Rehabilitation is about to get lifted, literally. The Alter-G Anti-Gravity Treadmill uses differential air pressure technology developed by NASA to provide comfortable partial weight-bearing therapy while promoting normal gait patterns. All of this talk sounds really fancy, but essentially what this new treadmill provides is an alternative to straps, that traditionally are attached to the [...]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for integrating technology with youth advocacy efforts to affect social change and influence social determinants of health, particularly in 1) recruiting people to join the cause, 2) organizing collective action, 3) raising awareness and shaping attitudes, 4) raising funds to support the cause, and 5) communicating with decision makers. Making strategic decisions to combine technology and youth advocacy will give youth a voice, arm them with advocacy skills, and increase their self-efficacy. These youth may become adults who are involved in larger policy-based decisions that will address the social determinants of health that affect the health status of people in their communities and throughout the world.

Introduction

History shows that public health advocacy works. The greatest advancements in improving public health in the 20 th century are the result of change in policy or regulation ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1999a). For example, water fluoridation has resulted in significant reductions in tooth decay and dental caries among both children and adults ( CDC, 1999b). For a community to fluoridate water requires change to laws and policy ( Roemer, 1965). Reductions in deaths due to motor-vehicle crashes are attributable to new regulations and standards for motor vehicles and road design as well as enactment and enforcement of laws that require drivers and passengers to wear safety belts ( CDC, 1999c). The recognition that tobacco use is detrimental to a person's health was the basis for development and implementation several public health interventions that would limit a person's exposure to tobacco. Success in reducing access to tobacco products and limiting exposure to environmental tobacco smoke has required substantial advocacy efforts ( Lantz et al, 2000; Schroeder, 2004). Some of the most well-known public health youth advocacy examples include youth involvement in tobacco prevention and control ( Martin, Ribisl, Jefferson, & Houston, 2001) and substance use prevention ( Tencati, Kole, Feighery, Winkleby, & Altman, 2002).

Advocacy, at its most basic level, is communication. It is one person or a group of people sending messages for the purpose of persuading or influencing others. While various tools aid with the communication process, technological advances, including software and associated devices, are expanding advocates' communication options. With these options comes the potential to make advocacy efforts more effective and efficient. The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for integrating technology with youth advocacy efforts to affect social change. Table 1 provides a brief glossary of technology-related terms that will be used throughout the paper.

Youth and Advocacy

Youth have previously been handed a second-class ticket in democracy-they are not allowed to vote, yet pertinent policies and legislation are made that directly affect their health. For example, the alcohol industry is allowed to exploit adolescents by directing a disproportionate amount of its advertising toward this population ( Jernigan, Ostroff, & Ross, 2005). The irony is that the alcohol industry is targeting a population that cannot legally drink. If youth were permitted a voice, instead of being silenced by their age, they could more effectively influence regulation of the alcohol industry. As it is, the industry holds on to the power and exposes underage teenagers to excessive amounts of advertising.

Delli Carpini (2000) suggests that young adults (ages 18-29) are, for the most part, disengaged in civic affairs. The author cites a lack of knowledge of political topics and processes, registering to vote, and participation in actions beyond voting, and so forth, to support this premise. The author notes that this lack of interest and involvement in civic affairs is not because young people are disinterested, but rather "because they are alienated from the institutions and processes of civic life and lack the motivation, opportunity, and ability to overcome this alienation" (p. 345).

However, engagement in civic affairs and social change need not be limited to young adults of legal voting age. It is possible for all youth to have a voice and be civically active. Adolescents ages 12-17 are a largely untapped resource within communities; they are part of the community and can become part of the solution to its problems. For example, Lifting New Voices, a demonstration project aimed at engaging 15- to 21-year-olds in community organizing and advocacy, has been very successful ( Checkoway et al., 2003). Community projects have resulted in enhanced school environments, including improved quality of food, availability of books, running water in restrooms, and a change in a school suspension policy (Checkoway).

Providing opportunities for youth to successfully participate in social change, giving them a voice, and be involved in civic affairs may develop a generation of youth who carry these skills into adulthood. Armed with advocacy skills and empowered by previous successful experience, these youth may become adults who are involved in larger policy-based decisions that will address the social determinants of health. Furthermore, being involved in advocacy is likely to influence youths' health-related attitudes, beliefs, options, and behaviors ( Winkleby, Feighery, Dunn, Kole, Ahn, & Killen, 2004).

Youth and Technology

The adoption and spread of cell phones in the early 1990s has been attributed to use by youth ( Castells, 2006). Teens and young adults throughout Europe, the United States, Asia (Castells), and Brazil ( Nielsen, 2009) have the highest rates of cell phone usage as compared to all other age groups. Near the end of 2007, the Worldwatch Institute estimated that there were 70 cell phone subscribers for every 100 residents of the United States ( Chafe, 2007). More than 80% of all households in America have at least one cell phone; among households with married couples, 57% of children ages 7 to 17 have access to their own cell phone ( Kennedy, Smith, Wells, & Wellman, 2008). Among younger populations, sending text messages on cell phones appears to be one of the most prevalent forms of communication. Sixty percent of 18- to 29-year-olds indicate that they send or receive texts every day ( Horrigan, 2008). While this is not the adolescent cohort, it is likely that adolescent text messages rates are higher. Data indicate that the proportion of people who text daily nearly doubles with each decrease in an age group ( Horrigan, 2008).

As with cell phones, social networking sites (SNS) are quickly becoming a pervasive part of American culture ( boyd & Ellison, 2007). Preliminary data from early 2009 indicate that the use of social networking sites is expanding more significantly than any other online modality, including e-mail ( Nielsen, 2009). Over half of all on-line American adolescents, ages 12 to 17, use some form of SNS ( Lenhart & Madden, 2007). In a study of 18- to 19-year-old college students, 88% reported using a social networking site ( Hargatti, 2008). Ninety-one percent of teenagers who use SNS use them to stay in touch with friends who they frequently see. Almost half of teens reported using SNS to make new friends, while 72% use SNS to make plans with their current friends ( Lenhart & Madden, 2007). These numbers reflect the idea that while teens use SNS to find new friends, teens primarily use SNS to strengthen existing networks. These strengthened networks can easily translate into strong advocacy networks when used in an appropriate way.

Raynes-Goldie and Walker (2008) note that for social change to occur advocates need the following: information, people, and tools. Technology, including cell phones and SNS, can provide advocates access to these resources. Use of technology appears to cross ethnic and socioeconomic boundaries ( Horrigan, 2008; Lenhart, 2009). Therefore, it appears that technologies are a viable means to engage youth in civic affairs and advocacy to address social determinants which may lead to a reduction in health disparities. Technology makes it easy for people to participate. It also lowers the nonfinancial costs, improves the quality of participation, and increases the types of advocacy activities in which they engage ( Delli Carpini, 2000). These technologies also engage the individual's social networks.

Technology Options

Mobile technologies include communication devices that use wireless technology to send information or communication across distances to other devices. Cell phones are, perhaps, the most common mobile devices. Cell phones can transmit voice data, text data, also known as short message services (SMS) or text messaging (i.e., up to 160 characters sent from one mobile telephone to another) and audio or video data, known as multimedia services (MMS), (i.e., audio, pictures and video images). Cell phones are increasingly being used to send text messages, take photographs, play games, record and watch videos, and play music ( Horrigan, 2008).

People have been communicating through online discussion groups, message boards, and listservs since the early 1980s ( Grier & Campbell, 2000). These programs were associated primarily with companies or social organizations (Grier & Campbell). The development of SNS has allowed a shift in focus from organization-based communication to individual interpersonal communication, among all age groups, but particularly younger people. SNS were specifically designed to help people make and keep connections with others who have similar interests (boyd & Ellison, 2008).

There are several different SNS. Facebook claims 200 million active users and estimate that their users spend 3.5 billion minutes on Facebook daily ( Facebook, 2009). MySpace, another SNS, purports to have 184 million users, and Friendster, 50 million users ( 5 facts about social networking sites, 2008). In addition to Facebook, MySpace, and Friendster there are at least 130 other SNS (List of social networking websites, 2009). These range from SNS with broad target audiences to narrow target populations, such as an SNS for people interested in hospitality at home and abroad ( The Hospitality Club, 2006).

A SNS is "an online location where a user can create a profile and build a personal network that connects him or her to other users" ( Lenhart & Madden, 2007, p. 1).To join a SNS a person creates a personal account profile which becomes the person's page. On personal profiles, people share factual information about themselves, including preferences and the causes or groups they support. In each SNS people can invite other users to become their friend, or request that they be added as a friend. Some SNS, such as Facebook, will only allow individuals to create profiles, but organizations can create pages. The functionality for individuals' profiles and organization pages is essentially the same. The primary difference is that individuals have friends and organization pages have fans.

SNS have multiple ways for friends to communicate with each other. These options include walls, comments, groups, forums, and private messages. For instance, MySpace allows for people to write on others' profile pages in the comments section. Similarly, on Facebook a person can write on someone else's wall -a space connected to the person's personal profile. Any friend on Facebook can read any comment or wall post. Users can send each other private messages, which are just like e-mails.

All SNS allow people to join groups and participate in forums discussing various topics. SNS groups can be either public, meaning anyone can join, or private, meaning an invitation is required. Once a group member, the person is immediately connected to a network of people who feel passionately about the issue, who are easily accessible, and easily mobilized. Group members share recent news, give encouragement, share pictures and videos, and express opinions.

SNS also allow for creating events and sending personal or group invitations to an event. The event invitation indicates the event description, date, time, location, and contact person. With event invitations, people can respond with a RSVP, letting the organizer know in advance how many people will attend.

Tactics for Using Technology in Advocacy

Advocates using these technologies can share information at a faster pace, recruit more people and use a variety of tools to implement the necessary action for social change. Specifically, youth advocates can use cell phones and SNS for 1) recruiting people to join the cause, 2) organizing collective action, 3) raising awareness and shaping attitudes, 4) raising funds to support the cause, and 5) communicating with decision makers. While both cell phones and SNS can be used for these advocacy-related purposes there are advantages and disadvantages to using one over the other in various situations. Table 2 outlines the comparative qualities of each.

Recruit people to join an advocacy cause. Although individuals can participate in personal advocacy efforts, collective action of a larger group is generally more efficacious. For advocates, either individuals or organizations, who are interested in using technology, one of the first steps is to create a network of individuals. Advocates who use cell phones will want to gather cell phone numbers and program these numbers as a group in the phone. On SNS an organization might create a page and invite people to become fans.

Once networks are established, there are several ways to recruit people to join a cause. Using cell phones, most simply, a call or text message inviting someone to become a member is all that may be needed. On SNS an advocate can send a message to friends or fans with whom they are linked. Another way to recruit people to join a cause on a SNS is to create a group. These groups are a natural means of recruiting advocates. An adolescent can create a group supporting a certain policy issue and proceed to show a decision maker how many people support the cause. Focus groups conducted with state senators and representatives revealed that hearing from as few as three or five their constituents influences their position on an issue ( March of Dimes, 2001).

Another way to recruit people on a SNS is through applications. Applications are features on SNS that allow people to interact with one another. Applications may include things such as virtual gifts, games, and the most popular, causes. Sending a friend a cause application demonstrates one's support of the cause. Causes can also be designed to raise funds. For example on Facebook the application (Lil) Green Patch raises awareness about global warming and encourages people to take action to make a difference ( http://apps.facebook.com/greentrees/send-plants.php). Through this application people can plant fruit with their friends while sponsors contribute money each time the application is used. Individuals using the application can also make donations to other global warming-based causes.

Organize collective action. Using technology to organize collective action has been proven successful. The Howard Dean 2004 primary U.S. presidential campaign is frequently cited as an example of the power of technology to mobilize groups for political action ( Hindman, 2005). During the 2008 presidential election, all the major candidates successfully leveraged cell phones and SNS to recruit and organize political supporters ( Sanson, 2008). Research shows that nearly two-thirds (66%) of Internet users under the age of 30 have a SNS, and during the 2008 election, half of them used that site to "to get or share information about the candidates and the campaign" ( Smith & Rainie, 2008, p.ii). In addition, international political action campaigns have used text messages to effectively mobilize people that affected the outcome of an election (Hong, 2005).

Individuals can organize collective action on a SNS by sending an alert or message to all group members. A post can also be made to a SNS wall. This post is received by all friends or fan members.

In addition, organizing advocates can be accomplished by a person creating an event invitation on his or her SNS and sending it to all of his or her friends and fans. An event could be a meeting, a rally, a press conference, and so forth. As mentioned previously, the organizer can request RSVPs for the event. If the turnout will be high, the media should be invited to the event, as part of a media advocacy strategy. For instance, youth could text their friends to attend the local board of health meeting that night to show support for the proposed local ordinance of no smoking in the public park.

Raise awareness and shape attitudes. As noted earlier, successful advocacy results from people changing how they think about an issue. SNS and cell phones make it easy for people to engage in conversation to debate and discuss the issues. Through text messages, posts to SNS discussion boards, wall posts, or e-mails to groups people begin to become more informed about the issues, think about them in a new way, and how it affects their environment. For example, youth may dialog on a SNS discussion board about the lack of neighborhood street lighting and its impact on crime rates.

In advocacy efforts, a tactic referred to as media advocacy has been used for increasing public awareness about a topic and garnering mass media coverage. Technology allows for additional grassroots efforts by advocacy group members through citizen journalism. Citizen journalism encompasses reporting of news, investigative blogging, hyperlocal journalism, and digital storytelling by the lay public ( Rheingold, 2008). Engaging in citizen journalism on a SNS a person can post copies of communication sent to mass media, including letters to the editor, op-ed pieces, or news releases. A person can also upload related photos, videos or podcasts. For example, youth could write a letter to the editor about the lack of fruits and vegetables at the neighborhood grocery store and then post it on his SNS where his friends and others can read it. The potential impact of exposure to events from lay public sharing their experiences on the Internet was illustrated during the 2006 election cycle when a volunteer for Jim Webb's senate campaign in the U.S. state of Virginia followed his opponent, incumbent Senator George Allen, around filming his stump speeches. The senator referred to the volunteer, who was of Indian descent, as "Macaca". The volunteer posted this video on YouTube ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r90z0PMnKwI). The incident resulted in an apology from the senator ( Craig & Shear, 2006).

A related, and particularly powerful, advocacy strategy to raise awareness is photovoice. Photovoice is the process of using photographs to depict a community and using that as a catalyst for change. The goals of photovoice are "(1) to enable people to record and reflect their community's strengths and concerns, (2) to promote critical dialogue and knowledge about important community issues through large and small group discussion of photographs, and (3) to reach policy makers" ( Wang & Burris, 1997, p. 370). A powerful of example of photovoice in the recent past happened during Hurricane Katrina. A blog was created for people to upload photos and videos of Hurricane Katrina and the aftermath and write their feelings about what occurred ( http://hurricane-katrina-pictures.com/). This same type of arena could be created on a SNS.

Typically, a photovoice campaign supplies a target population with cameras. The individuals return to their home environment to take pictures and write their impressions or feelings about their situation. Supplying each person with a camera creates a financial barrier to photovoice; however, most cell phones can be used as cameras. Youth participate in photovoice by uploading pictures of their environment and posting on their SNS how that environment impacts their lives.

One of the key improvements that mobile technology makes to photovoice is the ability to upload pictures in real time. If the phone has Internet access, the picture could be immediately uploaded to a blog or SNS and the photographer could record his or her impressions instantaneously. It would be more effective for a decision maker to receive a video of cars speeding down the neighborhood street rather than hearing about it anecdotally a few weeks later.

Raise funds to support a cause. Advocacy groups require budgets to support their efforts. As mentioned previously, SNS cause applications can raise funds. In addition, both cell phones and SNS could be part of a larger marketing campaign to raise money. The ability to organize groups, communicate with group members, invite people to events are all available through a SNS. Cell phones could be used for a text message campaign to solicit donations. For instance, people would be asked to send a text message to 55555 with the word help. Doing so would contribute a predetermined amount to the advocacy cause. The American Red Cross successfully used this strategy to raise funds to help victims of Hurricane Katrina ( Nobles, 2006). While youth may be less able to donate financially, a campaign could be designed as a collaborative effort between parents and youth.

Communicate with decision makers. Success of advocacy efforts requires persuasive communication with decision makers. Traditional advocacy efforts include calling or writing a policy or decision maker to ask for support or to educate him or her about an issue. With technology, advocates are not limited by time and space or method. A phone call can be made or text message sent from anywhere at any time; a message can be posted on the decision maker's SNS page. These features make it easy for people to be involved in a simple advocacy action. For instance, a youth could post a message on the mayor's SNS page asking for her vote at the town council meeting where a skate park is being discussed.

Youth Advocacy and Technology Case Studies

Youth can use technology in a variety of ways to become more involved in advocacy. The following are three case studies. The first one is hypothetical, illustrating an ideal way to combine advocacy and technology. The second and third case studies are actual examples of youth advocacy.

Case Study 1. Paola's younger brother was recently hit and killed by a car while playing near his house in San Diego, California. The apartment complex where he lived had no sidewalk and nearly no grass. The road running in front of their apartment is busy and the speed limit is 55 MPH. As part of Paola's grieving process, she called her friend Laura. As Laura heard about Paola's living situation, she was incensed. After their conversation, Laura posted an entry on her blog about it, which appeared on her MySpace profile. Several of Laura's friends made comments on her page regarding the situation, so Laura started a group, "Citizens for Safe Streets," within MySpace. One of the group members heard a podcast regarding the need for safer, slower streets near residential areas, which he subsequently posted on the group page. After listening to this podcast several group members demanded that the group take some kind of action. One member took the initiative to post Frogger, a game that can be downloaded to a personal cell phone; however, the cost of downloading the game was a call to a city council member to talk to them about the problem in Paola's neighborhood. Once they could enter in a city council member's name and details from the conversation, they could download the game (which incidentally is about crossing a street safely).

After the city council had received over 50 calls, Laura thought it would be a good time to organize a rally. She uploaded a video news clip from Paola's brother's funeral and asked each group member to download it to their cell phones and then forward it with a message about attending the rally at the city council office as a text to three contacts. Laura also contacted the local news stations and asked them to attend. Over 400 people attended the rally. While there, they signed a petition asking the city council to allocate funds to lower the speed limit, put in speed bumps, and build a sidewalk in Paola's neighborhood. One member of the rally sent constant Twitters (i.e., miniblogging in real time) to a group blog from his cell phone to inform interested parties about what was going on at the rally. Many people commented on the blog in support of the rally. At a designated time the leaders were able to meet with the city council members. When the leaders showed the council members the petition, the support on the blog, and the reporters outside, the council members agreed to reduce the speed limit, put in speed bumps, and build a sidewalk in Paola's neighborhood.

Case Study 2. High school students Jake Beech and Graham Horn from Bexley High School in Ohio found a way to make a political difference. They felt strongly about supporting then Senator Obama in his campaign for the presidency. They created a grassroots movement dubbed "every one counts." The principle idea was to motivate everyone, whether they could vote or not, to make a $1 contribution to Barack Obama's campaign. They asked for people to send a picture of themselves with their one dollar contribution to be posted on their website www.everyonecounts.org.

To spread the word about this campaign, Jake and Graham created a Facebook group under the political organizations heading ( http://hs.facebook.com/group.php?gid=22511340530). The page states their purpose as follows: "Ohio high school students are finding a way to be part of the change we have been waiting for. Although not all of us can vote, we have a voice, and we are uniting to use our collective voice in support of Barack Obama." They knew that they could advocate for a cause they believed in using a medium with which they were familiar. Their group has 199 members. On the wall of their group several of their peers affirmed what a good idea this was and how they were planning to contribute.

Case Study 3. The 2009 Utah Legislative session included a bill (House Bill 444) which aimed to eliminate $4 million from the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program funds. After hearing about the issues at hand, a young adult named Peter Moosman started Project 1200 in February 2009 (P. Moosman, personal communication, April 17, 2009). About three-fourths of the group members are high school students, with the rest being junior high students and adults. The name of the group came from the fact that 1200 people die every day due to tobacco.

Peter started Project 1200 as a way to get youth involved in the advocacy process and have a group they could be affiliated with as they went to Capitol Hill to lobby. Project 1200 utilized technology in various ways. Project 1200 used several features of Facebook to assist their advocacy work. Peter created a Facebook group. On his own Facebook page he put Project 1200 as his status. He invited his friends to join the group, encouraged them to tell their friends; "the word of mouth spread it." The Facebook page explained the cause in more detail. They used an events page and included the meeting time, location, and to contact Peter if they have any questions. Project 1200 joined forced with the Utah Phoenix Alliance, a statewide antitobacco group for youth advocacy. The Phoenix Alliance would send text messages and e-mails to their entire youth group about an event and inviting them to come.

Project 1200 used text messaging to contact legislators. The representative, who sponsored the bill to increase the tobacco tax, told Project 1200 that the best way to get a hold of him was through text messaging. He said they cannot always pick up the phone when in a committee meeting and they may not always have their computer to check e-mail. On their Facebook page they posted all the e-mail addresses and phone numbers of the legislators who they were targeting. Then they would tell their youth group members to "send a message to your representative." Group members would also do a cell phone blitz sending text messages every 5 minutes to legislators.

The efforts of Peter Moosman and Project 1200 had a significant impact. On the last day of the legislative when the committee was voting on the bill to reduce tobacco funding, the representative who was the appropriations cochair said that "due to the many, many, many, many, many [count them: FIVE "manys"] e-mails we received we have decided to strike down our own bill."

Though Project 1200 started to preserve tobacco prevention and control funding, the group expanded to focus on bills aimed at increasing the tobacco tax, smoking in cars with children, and Internet tobacco sales. And even though the legislative session is over, they have continued to do various advocacy activities throughout the Salt Lake Valley.

Limitations of Technology in Advocacy

Though the advantages of using technology in advocacy are apparent, it is not without limitations. In the 1990s, concerns were expressed about the digital divide, or in other words, the gap between demographic groups who had access to computers, telephones, and the Internet and those who did not ( National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 1999). Researchers estimate that the digital divide still exists but is perhaps more narrow than in the past, at least in the United States ( Katz, Rice & Aspden, 2001). However, Internet and cell phone penetration is lower in several other countries, particularly developing countries ( Castells, 2006; Chinn & Fairlie, 2007). Researchers suggest that the global divide is explained in part income, but also by other economic factors such as quality of regulation ( Chinn & Fairlie, 2007). Therefore, although researchers have used cell phones in developing countries to deliver health care services ( Vital Wave Consulting, 2009), use of technology in advocacy may not be applicable across the globe.

One potential negative aspect of employing technology for advocacy is the possibility for selective filtering of messages. Because a person has continual access to information through Internet news sites, personal and professional blogs, Twitter, SNS, cell phones, podcasts, and so forth, it is possible that advocacy causes may get lost in the masses, making it more difficult to recruit and maintain supporters. However, on the upside, with the increased communication channels that technology provides, there is the likelihood that an increased number of people will be reached and overall awareness increased.

Engaging in advocacy efforts through use of technology is not intended to replace traditional advocacy efforts such as face to face meetings with decision makers, but rather enhance and augment them. Knowing the communication preferences of decision makers will be vital. While youth are familiar with, adept at using, and regularly use technology, some decision makers, particularly those in older age groups, may not be. So while technology may be a useful tool for organizing advocates it may not be the decision maker's preferred communication channel. However, with a continued an increase in cell phone and Internet penetration, and expanded reach of SNS, this disparity may narrow over time.

Conclusion

To make a significant change in the social determinants of health will require strategic advocacy on the part of all individuals. Youth as advocates is an essential part of this strategy. Technology makes it easy and convenient for youth to participate. It allows for integration of advocacy into their daily route. As a generation who is both comfortable and fluent with using technology, the key for public health is to harness these skills and direct them toward use in health advocacy. Making deliberate efforts to combine technology and youth advocacy will give youth a voice, increase their personal efficacy for participating in advocacy, and impact the social determinants that affect the health status of people in their communities and throughout the world.

References

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Empowering Youth: Use of Technology in Advocacy to Affect Social Change

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The purpose of this paper is to provide a conceptual framework for integrating technology with youth advocacy efforts to affect social change and influence social determinants of health, particularly in 1) recruiting people to join the cause, 2) organizing collective action, 3) raising awareness and shaping attitudes, 4) raising funds to support the cause, and 5) communicating with decision makers.

# data[].attributes.body
Work Rehabilitation

# data[].attributes.body
Ergonomic Set Up

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Ergonomics Expert Explains How to Set Up Your Desk | WSJ Pro Tip

# data[].attributes.body
My Fitness Pal

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Take control of your goals. Track calories, break down ingredients, and log activities with MyFitnessPal.

# data[].attributes.body
Health View App

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
HealthView - Great way to look at your Health app data

# data[].attributes.body
Health Promotion

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Occupational therapy practitioners ensure that people recovering from illness or injury, or with a disability, can function in all their environments with the ability they have. They reduce health care costs by promoting independence and self-care.

Occupational therapists must have a master's degree for entry-level practice, and occupational therapy assistants must have an associate's degree. Both must pass an initial certification exam.

The Fact Sheets below provide information on occupational therapy's role with a variety of conditions related to rehabilitation and disability.

Brain Injury
Occupational Therapy and Community Reintegration of Persons With Brain Injury
Cancer
Occupational Therapy's Role in Breast Cancer Rehabilitation
The Role of Occupational Therapy in Oncology - pdf, 573 kb

Chronic Diseases

The Role of Occupational Therapy in Chronic Disease Management - pdf, 3.1 mb

Occupational Therapy's Role in Managing Arthritis - pdf, 774 kb

Community Mobility and Driving
Driving and Transportation Alternatives for Older Adults Behind the Wheel: Occupational Therapy and Older Drivers The Role of Occupational Therapy in Providing Seating and Wheeled Mobility Services
Developmental & Intellectual Disabilities
Supporting Community Integration and Participation for Individuals With Intellectual Disabilities
The Role of Occupational Therapy in Facilitating Employment of Individuals With Developmental Disabilities - pdf, 764 kb

Occupational Therapy's Role With Autism - pdf, 484 kb

Addressing Sensory Integration Across the Lifespan Through Occupational Therapy - pdf, 176 kb

Home Modifications
Home Modifications and Occupational Therapy Home Modifications Promote Independent Living
OT's Role in Facilities
Occupational Therapy in Acute Care
Occupational Therapy's Role in Skilled Nursing Facilities - pdf, 4 mb

Hands and Upper Extremity
The Unique Role of Occupational Therapy In Rehabilitation of the Hand The Occupational Therapy Role in Rehabilitation for the Person With an Upper-Limb Amputation
The Role of Occupational Therapy for Rehabilitation of the Upper Extremity

Stroke
Recovering from Stroke with Occupational Therapy: Living Life To Its Fullest™ The Role of Occupational Therapy in Stroke Rehabilitation
Other Topics
Occupational Therapy and the Care of Persons With Spinal Cord Injury The Role of Occupational Therapy in Providing Assistive Technology Devices and Services Occupational Therapy in Polytrauma Sexuality and the Role of Occupational Therapy Students With Disabilities in Postsecondary Education Settings: How Occupational Therapy Can Help
Occupational Therapy's Role in Sleep - pdf, 603 kb

Occupational Therapy's Role in Restraint Reduction or Elimination - pdf, 620 kb

Occupational Therapy's Role in Health Promotion - pdf, 3.1 mb

Occupational Therapy: A Vital Role in Dysphagia Care - pdf, 1.4 mb
Into the Swing of Things

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Occupational therapy practitioners ensure that people recovering from illness or injury, or with a disability, can function in all their environments with the ability they have. They reduce health care costs by promoting independence and self-care. Occupational therapists must have a master's degree for entry-level practice, and occupational therapy assistants must have an associate's degree.