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Article
Expanding the Implementation of the Americans With Disabilities Act for Populations With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: The Role of Organization-Level Occupational Therapy Consultation
American Journal of Occupational Therapy (2017)
  • Caroline J. Umeda, University of Washington - Seattle Campus
  • Donald J. Fogelberg, University of Washington - Seattle Campus
  • Tracy Jirikowic, University of Washington - Seattle Campus
  • Jennifer S. Pitonyak, University of Puget Sound
  • Tracy Mroz, University of Washington - Seattle Campus
  • Roger I. Ideishi, University of Washington - Seattle Campus
Abstract
The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) provides standards and guidance for accessibility and accommodations that remove barriers to facilitate community social participation for individuals with disabilities. However, ADA implementation does not yet fully address the diverse access needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), who continue to face barriers to community social participation. This article explores the potential for occupational therapy practitioners to provide organization level consultation as a means of maximizing community social participation among people with IDD. Case examples of occupational therapy practitioners working with community organizations are presented to illustrate organization-level consultation that addresses access needs across diverse community contexts. The relevance of supporting community social participation within the context of health equity is discussed, and key next steps, including developing population-based outcome measures, addressing reimbursement considerations, and developing best practices for organization-level consultation, are outlined.
Keywords
  • ADA,
  • Developmental Disabilities,
  • Occupational Therapist
Disciplines
Publication Date
2017
Citation Information
Caroline J. Umeda, Donald J. Fogelberg, Tracy Jirikowic, Jennifer S. Pitonyak, et al.. "Expanding the Implementation of the Americans With Disabilities Act for Populations With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: The Role of Organization-Level Occupational Therapy Consultation" American Journal of Occupational Therapy Vol. 71 Iss. 4 (2017) p. 1 - 6 ISSN: 0272-9490
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/caroline-umeda/3/