Date of Award

2024

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Roberta Carrlson

Abstract

Purpose: Quality of life can be found through participation in meaningful and rewarding occupations (Cote-Letlerc, 2017). Studies have shown that individuals with visual impairments have impacted occupational performance and engagement in occupations leading to a loss of independence, changes to identity, and lowered self-esteem (Duquette, et. al., 2019; Kumar, et. al., 2022). Some barriers these individuals face that impact their ability to participate in meaningful occupations include having fewer opportunities available, difficulty navigating, having impaired proprioception, accessibility, and physical or cognitive impairments (Diaz, 2019; Hill, 2023). Opportunities to engage in recreational activities presented as a clear need for this scholarly project.

Methodology: This project consists of a literature review and a needs assessment on recreational activities and the importance and benefits of implementing them for individuals with visual impairments. This also included understanding the limitations and barriers that are hindering the implementation of a recreational program for those with visual impairments. This project is guided by the Ecology of Human Performance (EHP; Dunn et. al., 1994). Through utilizing EHP the product utilized the connection between the person, task, and context to understand the individual’s performance range to implement a recreational program for those with visual impairments (Dunn, 2017).

Results: To fulfill the need found in literature the author of the scholarly project partnered with a School for the Blind in the Midwest to develop this program and accomplish this goal. The product included a recreational program for individuals with visual impairments. This recreational program utilized current literature about recreational activities and the importance and benefits of participation in them for individuals with visual impairments. It includes specific topics that target viii different needs, skills, and recreational needs for those with visual impairments based on the findings from the literature review.

Conclusion: The recreational program is an occupational-based and client-centered product that offers individuals with visual impairments an opportunity to engage in recreational activities. It is anticipated that the program will increase occupational participation and help individuals with visual impairments achieve a higher quality of life.

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