The occupational therapist and assistive technology

Summary of the Workshop: The change in the situation of the occupational therapist in Flanders, Belgium (getting a master degree, starting a private practice), a changing society (an aging population, more empowerment of the... [ view full abstract ]

Summary of the Workshop:
The change in the situation of the occupational therapist in Flanders, Belgium (getting a master degree, starting a private practice), a changing society (an aging population, more empowerment of the people with disabilities, the UN-convention, inclusion of people with disabilities in the educational programs,…) and the rapidly evolving market of the assistive technology (new technologies, common products that provide a solution, universal design, the need for training and support) bring up new challenges for the occupational therapist.

Is there a place for the occupational therapist in the policy tools? Identifying the differences and similarities from different countries using predefined settings (Involvement in the product development? Re-use of the assistive technology? Ownership or usage of devices? ….)

Maximum number of participants:
Twenty persons is a maximum number of participants.

Brief description of intended participants:
This workshop would be suitable for persons who may have a role in the financing of the assistive technology, or in the development of assistive technology, but also for therapists working in a therapeutic setting and advising the assistive technology.

References
- United Nations, (1993). Standard Rules on the Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities, Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, forty-eighth session, resolution 48/96, annex, of 20 December 1993.
- WHO, (2001), International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps. Geneva.
- Kinébanian, A. & Thomas, C. (2003). Grondslagen van de ergotherapie. Maarssen: Elseviers Gezondheidszorg.