Veyvoda & Van Cleave, (2020), noted community-engaged learning is an opportunity for students to apply previous coursework and build a positive relationship with the community. Mattila (2019) described how occupational therapy students report improved skills in collaborating and interacting with other populations following community-engaged learning experiences. Students also develop additional soft skills while interacting with community partners, such as patience and flexibility.
Drake University Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD) students collaborated with a community partner to complete a mutually beneficial project as part of a community-engaged learning experience for the Aging Adults and Community course.
This poster highlights the products of one of the projects. Students transformed an outdoor existing leisure space into an engaging environment to promote social participation and leisure opportunities based on a needs assessment completed with the community partner. The redesigned space was anticipated to increase participation outdoors and the likelihood of increased sun exposure, so sun safety posters were placed by the backdoor and students provided sun safety education to staff. The overall response to the finished project was overwhelmingly positive from program staff, participants, and academic faculty.