Physical Disabilities

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The NCOTA Physical Disabilities Special Interest Section provides a forum for OT practitioners to share information and clinical resources for physical disabilities. Our mission is to encourage professional development opportunities based on member needs and trends in occupational therapy.

Overview

Recent surveys of NCOTA's Physical Disabilities SIS (PD SIS)membership has found an increase in productivity expectations among OT practitioners in North Carolina. In October 2006, productivity goals were reported at a median of 77.85 (24.9 units in an 8-hour work day), up from the previous survey in October 2004 with productivity goals reported at 72% (23 units in an 8-hour work day). The survey responders represented work sites across skilled nursing facilities, rehabilitation centers, day rehabilitation, and acute care hospitals.

Requests by membership have included the need for continuing education related to power-chair issues with complex clients, use of modalities in OT, interventions and safety for clients with Alzheimer's, use of evidence-based research, hands-on labs for clinical practice, shoulder course, NDT, SI, SCI including bowel and bladder management, contracture management, low vision, amputation, driver rehab, hand rehab, and OT interventions in the ICU. Recent questions have been addressed regarding OTA supervision, OT Practice Framework applications, and time management.

Concerns shared by PD SIS members have included how to effectively market the value of OT, and differentiating our services from other allied health services. Questions and responses in our Physical Disabilities Special Interest Section community in North Carolina guide the content of the continuing education offerings at state and regional conferences, newsletter content, and direct dialog among members.

Physical Disabilities Resources
State & National
  • www.aota.org - The American Occupational Therapy Association website has comprehensive information via the AOTA Physical Disabilities Special Interest Section in the Members Area of the website. The Hand Subsection, Driving/Driver Rehabilitation Network, AOTA PDSIS newsletters (current & archived), and Member Listserv with the new WebBoard format offer additional help. AOTA PDSIS Chair: Debbie Amini, from North Carolina.
  • www.aarp.org - The AARP Legal Services Network provides a list of attorneys screened by AARP who offer free and reduced-fee legal services. May wish to look at AARP Long-Term Care Insurance information, AARP Foundation’s Tax-Aide using IRS-certified volunteers to prepare tax returns and answer tax questions, or seek answers from the AARP Foundation Litigation Volunteer Legal Review Program regarding consumer issues, nursing home abuse, and age discrimination in employment.
  • www.arthritis.org - Arthritis Foundation
  • http://www.driver-ed.org - Association for Driver Rehabilitation Specialists
  • www.medicare.gov - Information direct from third party reimbursement agents.
  • www.ninds.nih.gov - Neurological Disorders & Stroke
  • www.nmss.org - Multiple Sclerosis
  • www.amputee-coalition.org - ACA
  • www.parkinson.org - Parkinson’s Information
  • www.alz.org - Alzheimer’s Association
  • www.alzheimers.org - Alzheimer’s Disease Education & Referral Center
  • www.ahaf.org - -Alzheimer’s Family Relief Program
  • www.naela.com - National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
  • www.caps4caregivers.org - Children of Aging Parents 1-800-277-7294
Hand Therapy:
  • www.ahtf.org - American Hand Therapy Foundation promotes research, education, & links to International Societies.
  • www.asht.org - American Society of Hand Therapists
  • www.htcc.org - Certified Hand Therapists referral directory
Lymphedema Management:
  • www.acols.com - The Academy of Lymphatic Studies is one of several available certification courses and referral sources for therapists for management of lymphedema.
  • www.clt-lana.org - The Lymphology Association of North America (LANA) is a non-profit corporation concerned with the competence of therapists treating lymphedema.
  • www.lymphnet.org - National Lymphedema Network offers a quarterly newsletter called “Lymph Link.”
Spinal Cord Injury Management: