Professional Development 3: Advocacy and Disability Perspectives

Catalog description

The course provides principles of advocacy for Occupational Therapy and Advocacy for our clients. Professional issues related to State and National Advocacy groups for OT as well as, current professional topics for advocacy are discussed. Students learn the importance and the nature of participation in professional advocacy. In this course students also examine psychosocial factors, stereotypes, and negative attitudes affecting people with disabilities, their families and caregivers. Methods of instruction include literature review, media resources, narratives, and in-class interviews with people with a range of stigmatizing conditions. Major civil rights legislation and the disability rights movement will be explored and different models of viewing disability will be reviewed. Students will enhance their understanding of the importance of practitioner, consumer and patient advocacy to promote empathy and skills in client-centered practice. Students will increase sensitivity and skills required in the implementation of client-centered practice with people with a wide range of physical, psychological, and socially stigmatizing conditions. The pre-requisites of OT 212, 213, 214, 223, and 222 are required.