The Role of Occupational Therapy and Persons with Disabilities
Occupational therapy works to break down the barriers which impede individuals in their everyday activities. Occupational therapists examine not only the physical effects of an injury or disease, but also address the psycho-social, community and environmental factors that influence function. An occupational therapist may help you overcome your disability by:
1) Educating or instructing you on how to do things with the abilities you have
- How to remember things when your memory is poor
- How to dress or cook using one arm
- How to manage your time and money
- How to use public transit when you are having problems
- How to get around in your community, while using a wheelchair
- How to manage your stressors
- How to advocate for an integrative community
2) Suggesting activities that will help you improve or maintain the abilities you have or are weak in
- To improve your coping strategies
- To increase strength
- To increase your confidence and belief in yourself
- To increase your coordination
- To improve your concentration
- To minimize or prevent deformity of your hands after an injury
What can YOU do?
Take Action: A major focus of the Day is practical action to realize the objectives of the Day for persons with disabilities and their communities. So, highlight best practices and think about making recommendations to your local political leaders, businesses, academic institutions, cultural centers and others. Work to ensure that your activity leaves a legacy and brings about lasting change.
Disability Resources in PEI
Disability Support Program (DSP): a program to assist families and individuals with personal planning and to help meet the needs related to an individual's disability. The supports are needs-based, and are provided in three main areas: child disability supports, adult disability supports, and employment and vocational supports. See here for more details
Disability Tax Credit: If you, your spouse/partner, or dependent has a disability, you may be eligible to claim a disability amount on your income tax and benefit return. For more information check out the CRA website
PEI Council of People with Disabilities
The PEI Council of People with Disabilities has 3 office locations in PEI. Check out their website for contact information.
The PEI Council of People with Disabilities serves to:
- promote self-help for persons with disabilities
- provide a voice of persons with disabilities on issues of concern
- encourage and facilitate communication between disability organizations and groups
- create public awareness of the concerns of persons with disabilities
- encourage a positive image of persons with disabilities
The PEI Council of People with Disabilities operates three different types of programs within their offices. For more information on what each of these programs has to offer, please check out their website.
Community Access
- Public Education & Awareness Program
- Counselling & Advocacy Program
- Community Development Program
- Designated Parking Permit Program - see here for applicable forms.
Employment
- Employment Counselling and Services Program
- Work Abilities Program and Resource Center
Snoezelen Room
The PEI Council of People with Disabilities has a Snoezelen Room, a therapeutic and recreational room beneficial to people with sensory, cognitive, and physical disabilities. The Snoezelen Room is located at the Kay Reynolds Centre, 30 Woodward Drive, in Charlottetown, PE. If you wish to book the room, please contact the Council's Administrative Assistant at 892-9149 ext 0. The Council's Information and Development Coordinator gives training to family, attendants and professionals on a regular basis. Volunteers open and close the Room for users. There is a small charge of $3 for a child and $6 for an adult per booking.
Please check out the links on the PEI Council of People with Disabilities website for additional disability resources in PEI.
