Role of OT in Youth Transportation

     One of the many interesting emerging areas of practice in the scope of occupational therapy is youth transportation. OTs are beginning to work with teens with disabilities by creating driving programs that will allow them the same experience as their peers when it comes to participating in this right of passage to adulthood. Being able to drive as a teenager is the ultimate sign of independence at this age, so as practitioners that work to help people become as independent as possible in order to live their most meaningful life, it makes perfect sense that this be incorporated into our scope of practice. There is a great need for OTs in this area of practice and the involvement of OTs in this can look different depending on the client's goals. An occupational therapist working with this population can educate teens on transition programs that pertain to youth transportation, receive a certification as a driver rehabilitation specialist, talk with teens and their families about the occupation of driving, and teach on things such as community mobility, personal safety, use of adaptive equipment with transportation, and the use of public transportation.
     AOTA's Vision 2025 aims to have occupational therapy play a vital role in facilitating participation in everyday life for all people by maximizing their quality of life. Working with teens with disabilities to help them either drive or get around their community more independently is a great way of reaching out to a population that doesn't always have the same resources as their peers when it comes to involvement in this occupation. OTs are applying Vision 2025 to this area of practice because they really are helping this specific population of teens maximize their quality of life by achieving independence in their daily lives.