Occupational therapists (OT) enable people with disabilities, health conditions, or who live in difficult life situations to engage in daily activities in environments that impact performance. However, OT education has often defined “environment” narrowly, focusing on immediate physical and social surroundings while overlooking the broader ecological and economic systems that influence health and participation. In the proposed project, we integrate environmental sustainability throughout the CSU occupational therapy doctoral (OTD) curriculum, beginning with understanding and application in the first semester and advancing toward program development and innovative design later in the program. Three courses and the capstone series will be modified to include interdisciplinary, community-focused sustainability projects.

Kim Schoessow-Aldaz, Associate Professor, Occupational Therapy

Laura Swink, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Bianca Daugherty, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Jaewon Kang, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy

Julie Silver Seidle, Assistant Professor, Occupational Therapy