How can Occupational Therapy Increase Employment

Opportunities for Individuals with Disabilities?

Katelyn Bassett, OTAS
Northland Community and Technical College
Occupational Therapy Assistant Program
Clinical Scenario
The employment rate of one with a disability is
18.6% compared to 63.5% for people without a
disability (U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity
Commission, 2008).

Lack of employment leads to problems with

economic status, social skills, social
participation and their quality of life (Achterberg,
Wind, & de Boer, Frings-Dresen, 2009).

Social acceptance leads to increased

motivation, satisfaction, increased performance
and quality of like (Vornholt, Uitdewilligen, &
Nijhuis, 2013).

Laws regarding individuals with disabilities are

the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) of 1990,
The Developmental Disabilities Assistance and
Bill of rights Act of 2000, The Rehabilitation Act,
The Workforce Investment Act, and The Civil
Service Reform Act (Vornholt et al., 2013).

Summary of Key Findings

Addressing basic life skills such as ADLs,

IADLs, sleep, and social participation prior to
job skills results in a better outcome for the
individual (Weaver, 2015).
Job skills, employment skills, and social skills
addressed during OT treatment increases
success within the work place
(Bennett & Dukes, 2013).
Main factors affecting social acceptance within
the work place are cognitive acceptance,
stigmatized attitudes, the employer and
performance. Acceptance leads to motivation,
satisfaction, and quality of life (Vornholt et al.,
2013).
OT plays a role throughout the interactive hiring
process (Schreuer et al., 2009).
OTs role in increasing functional performance
is ergonomics, education, adaptions, job
modifications, use of adaptive equipment,
improved social/emotional regulation skills and
improved functional work skills (Elexson &
Larson, 2011).

Interview: Pam Mueller OTR/L

Common modifications: appropriate ways of
communication and hours worked.
Before addressing job skills OT addresses life skills
(behavior, social skills, ADLs, IADLs).
OTs Role: help employers understand each individual
and their disability and the physical/psychosocial
accommodations necessary for success.
Write up a contract and hold employer/employee
accountable if anything were to come up.

Limitations of Study
Small sample sizes studied
No article directly touched on the focus
question
Limited EBP articles
There were no level II, III, or IV studies
*Reference page available upon request

Bottom Line

It is time for OT Professionals to take action!!

Advocacy and Education are key. Teach
individuals how to advocate for themselves.
Also help the employer understand the
employee and their disability. (Achterber et
al., 2009)
Educate employers on modifications and
adaptions (physical and mental) that
increase functional ability (Schreuer et al.,
2009).
Address goals of individual throughout the
interactive hiring process (Schreuer et al.,
2009).
A client centered approach relating to job
skills is successful, focusing on increasing
independence, task completion, selfmanagement, and behavioral skills (Bennett
& Dukes, 2013).
Seek other community resources for clients
needs such as case managers, job coach,
vocational rehab, state and government
programs, and legislation (Bennett & Dukes,
2013).
Provide video prompting (Bereznak, Ayres,
Mechling, & Alexander, 2012).
OT professionals can complete a job
analysis, evaluation of expected tasks, and
productivity expectations (Elexson & Larson,
2011).
Educate individual on transition/job skills,
problem solving, decision making, and social
skills (Orentlicher & Michaels, 2000).