About

Overview

        Access Outdoors OT provides resources, information, collaboration, and partnership with various organizations to address, promote, advocate for, and improve inclusion and accessibility in outdoor and camp settings through an occupational therapy perspective. I hope to connect those wanting to learn more about these practices to the organizations, communities, foundations, and others involved in developing these practices. In-depth resources and references are provided for further insight and information on respective topics concerning inclusion and accessibility within the outdoor and camp setting. Occupational Therapy and the Outdoors are also discussed to further support and understand the application of OT principles and roles in these settings.  

​

Scope

        The beneficial outcomes associated with outdoor recreation and camp experiences are widely documented. These experiences help provide individuals with skills that contribute to positive physical, social, emotional, and spiritual development. However, access to these experiences for individuals with disabilities can present a challenge for programs.

​

Significance

        There is a growing community of individuals and organizations working to develop inclusion and accessibility in these settings. Access Outdoors OT sheds light on current roles occupational therapists have, provides an understanding of how to approach inclusion and accessibility, discusses organizations that have experience, highlights in-depth resources, and advocates for OT roles in these settings.

​

Why OT?

        Occupational Therapy considers engagement and participation in activities that individuals find meaningful and purposeful. The interactions of environments, contexts, activity demands, and individual abilities can determine the degree to which individuals or groups engage and participate in meaningful activities. Applying an OT perspective to outdoor recreation and summer camp programs allows for further understanding of how to consider these interactions for maximizing occupational performance. The use of an OT perspective to consider inclusion and accessibility in outdoor recreation and summer camp programs contributes to the development of roles OTs can have in these settings. Furthermore, OT principles are ideal for addressing the needs of programs that wish to address, improve, or develop their inclusion and accessibility practices.