Inclusion and participation a focus for OT graduates

CQUniversity Occupational Therapy graduating students from Rockhampton and Bundaberg have put their advanced skills and knowledge to the test at their student-driven conference recently.

At Rockhampton, students presented three projects that they had worked on throughout the term.

Project one was a collaboration with a local school where students worked to increase inclusivity for neurodiverse students through inclusive design principles. Project two saw the creation of an inclusive gardening environment for individuals with disabilities to develop skills that support their therapeutic goals and project three was a recreational engagement program and support worker education project for marginalised individuals in the disability community.

Meanwhile in Bundaberg, students presented on various topics including:

• The creation of an employability program within a nursery environment to increase work experience opportunities for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities;
• Advocacy for increased inclusion and participation on the CQU campus for people with varying abilities through environmental modification recommendations
• An occupational therapy workforce examination at Bundaberg Hospital that contributes to quality improvement and staff enhancements in the hospital wards.

Student Paris Eggmolesse presented on the employability program and said the experience topped off her studies.

"I was delighted to present my project which covered a range of topics within the occupational therapy field and illustrated what we had been working so hard on," Paris said.

“The conference was a consolidation of many of the things that our cohort has learnt throughout our degree and the conference was an opportunity to put them into practice.”

The conference showcased the work of 21 graduating students from Bundaberg and Rockhampton and included a presentation of clinical educator awards.

The conference also featured guest speaker Shaun Lynch, a director and physiotherapist from Coral Coast Physiotherapy and Allied Health Clinic, who spoke about his experience as a physiotherapist and the positive impact health professionals can make.