On July 8, Queen’s Occupational Therapy students will showcase the work they’ve recently completed in their community placements. The presentations will cover a wide range of initiatives, including supporting children with siblings in the hospital, creating after-school programs for teens with intellectual disabilities, and helping seniors navigate the health care system. While many of the presentations will highlight work done in local placements, international placements in Singapore, Belize, Scotland, Uganda and Kenya will also be covered.
“Community Development placements in Occupational Therapy offer a true ‘win-win’ situation,” says Mary Lou Boudreau, a fieldwork coordinator in the School of Rehabilitation Therapy. “The community agencies get dedicated student time and expertise to tackle some of the projects that they have always wanted to get done, but never have the time.”
The community forum is an opportunity for students, teachers and members of community to share the results of their work and exchange information about the wealth of programs operating in Kingston and abroad.
“The students get the opportunity to learn about the ways to increase the community’s capacity to facilitate participation of all citizens, no matter what their age, levels of abilities, or socio-economic status.  These skills and knowledge – the ability to reach communities rather than just individuals – have traditionally been more difficult to teach, says Professor Boudreau.
The Queen’s University Occupational Therapy Community Development Forum takes place July 8 from 8:30 am – 5 pm in Botterell Hall. Everyone is welcome.