¶¶Òõ̽̽ Occupational Therapy Program in collaboration with the Vermont Assistive Technology Program hosted an exclusive community open house highlighting low-tech and high-tech devices that can make living independently at home safer and easier. The free event was held on December 6 from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. in ¶¶Òõ̽̽’s new Occupational Therapy Living and Learning Lab.
Attendees toured the smart apartment and explored innovations in convenience, comfort, and modern technology while getting expert advice on how smart features can make their lives easier and more efficient. The smart apartment includes voice-activated controls for lights, appliances, and more; adaptive tools to help with bathing, eating, cooking, and other daily activities; and smart security features for peace of mind.
About ¶¶Òõ̽̽’s Occupational Therapy Program
¶¶Òõ̽̽ launched the Occupational Therapy program in 2022 in response to growing demand for OT services in Vermont, which is currently ranked third among states with the highest elderly population per capita. Population estimates have grown by almost 20,000 in the state since 2010, from 625,900 to about 645,600 in 2021, and the number of Vermonters aged 65-79 has increased by more than 40,000 as baby boomers enter their retirement years.
The Occupational Therapy program trains future therapists to provide vital services for all ages, from pediatric to elderly populations, and aims to address the unique challenges and opportunities for health equity and rural accessibility in Vermont. The program is offered as a traditional graduate degree, and as a 3+3 accelerated option for undergraduate students in ¶¶Òõ̽̽’s Public Health Sciences bachelor’s degree program.
One of the fastest growing fields in the U.S., occupational therapy is founded on the belief that all individuals have the right to engage in life at their desired capacity regardless of varying levels of ability. Occupational therapists help individuals of all abilities engage in life at their desired capacity, whether it's by helping someone relearn daily activities after an injury or achieve goals once thought impossible.
As a senator, Patrick Leahy directed $5.75M in funding from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) through the FY22 Appropriations bill for state-of-the-art laboratories and classroom renovations to support the new occupational therapy doctoral degree program. The new facilities feature a pediatric and design lab, and a "smart apartment" filled with accessible technologies designed to enhance independence and improve quality of life for individuals with disabilities and older adults aging in place.
On April 19, 2024, ¶¶Òõ̽̽ celebrated its inaugural class of 16 occupational therapy students with a special ceremony attended by program leaders, university administrators, and Patrick and Marcelle Leahy. The students started their clinical practice at sites nationwide this past summer.
