The relationship between Occupational Therapy (OT) and the wheelchair securement practice has been gaining ground as more and more OT’s are increasing their skill-set to include training mobility passengers and operators this critical element of transportation safety.
It’s time we think outside the BCA box, and identify barriers to access from a range of occupant perspectives. This is second nature to OTs, but it can be easily applied by designers and building owners too, all we need is an open mind.
President, Abilities OT Services and Seminars, Inc. and Irlen Visual Learning Center
Shoshana Shamberg, OTR/L, MS, OTR/L, MS, has over 30 years experience as an educator, therapist and professional trainer. She has presented over 150 international continuing education training seminars on a variety of topics related to independent living services for people with disabilities and aging adults. She has degrees in both occupational therapy and special education with a specialization in assistive technology and environmental modifications. She is a certified Brain Gym Instructor and a Certified Irlen Screener/Diagnostician. She specializes in educational programming for students with severe disabilities and people of all ages with learning differences.
She is presently teaching the only Internet-based training program on accessibility consultation for medical and design/build professionals, with an international participation. She is currently the AOTA representative to the American National Standards Institute (ICC/ANSI 117.1) Accessible Design Standards Building Code Committee, the MD representative to the AOTA IDEA Partnership Advisory Committee , guest instructor at various universities and colleges throughout the USA and internationally, and board member of the Maryland Occupational Therapy Association (MDOTA) as the MOTA Legislative Committee Liason for Third Party Reimbursement Issues.