Date of Award

5-1-2026

Degree Type

Capstone Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)

Department

Occupational Therapy

First Advisor

Heather O'Brien, COTAL

Second Advisor

Holly Grieves, OTD, OTRL

Abstract

This 14 week doctoral capstone project focused on improving education within a nonprofit durable medical equipment program, Renew Mobility, to enhance safety and independence for individuals using mobility devices. This work is relevant to occupational therapy as it applies OT principles of client-centered care, health literacy, and adaptive equipment training in a community-based setting. A key gap in the literature was identified as the lack of structured educational resources, leading to inconsistent training and reliance on verbal instructions.

The objective of this project was to develop accessible educational materials to support proper equipment use and safety. This resulted in a 95-page handbook and 30 instructional videos designed for staff, volunteers, and clients. Outcomes included improved training consistency, increased volunteer confidence, and greater client understanding and independence. This project highlights the value of OT in nonprofit settings and offers a sustainable model for improving education and service delivery in DME programs.

Download

Share

COinS