Steve Hoffacker LLC, is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Course approval #12124. This distance learning-interactive activity is offered at .5 CEUs, introductory educational level for Category One, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery. The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.
This half-day (0.5 CEUs and 5 Contact Hours) elective class of original material by Master CAPS Instructor and AOTA Approved Provider Steve Hoffacker was inspired by the need for CAPS professionals, and especially therapists, to interpret and understand residential floor plan designs.
This class is specifically intended to address the needs of occupational therapists as an introductory level class in Contemporary Issues & Trends for Category One, Occupational Therapy Service Delivery as you explore opportunities to leverage your CAPS training and provide non-clinical services in the home for the residents, their families and guests, regardless of their abilities or the nature of their dwelling or yard.
This course also is appropriate for physical therapists, consultants, case managers, move managers, family members, those with a construction or landscaping background, and others interested in understanding or refamiliarizing themselves with the depiction and flow of exterior residential living spaces.
There is no prerequisite for this course, but completing the CAPS designation program is recommended. While it can be taken by non-CAPS professionals as well, there are some references to the CAPS material that would be helpful to understand.
This is being offered as a live Zoom, synchronous, interactive, distance learning class with PowerPoint and is not self-paced or pre-recorded.
This is not a required class for any designation but a continuing education course providing 5 hours for people who track and self-report their hours. Presently, the CEU hours count for AOTA, APTA, NAHB/CAPS, AIBD, and NKBA designations, and possibly others.
The class was prepared especially for occupational and physical therapists and anyone else who needs a better understanding of how exterior residential environments and treatments have a bearing on safety, comfort, convenience, and accessibility for aging in place.
Steve receives no compensation from any of the brand names or companies mentioned or referenced and has no financial interest in any outside organizations.
This class is not limited to any particular occupation or country, but there is a major emphasis on the role of occupational therapists in providing aging in place services such as the ones described in this course. Since this is a new direction for clinical occupational therapists, the material is considered introductory in nature but extremely relatable and valuable.
Specifically, by the end of the program, you will be able to:
- Identify 3 safety and accessibility barriers on the exterior of a person’s dwelling
- Describe common access issues with getting from the street to the entry door
- Cite at least 5 issues with the presence of steps on the property
- Compare access needs of the front yard to those of the back yard
- Contrast assessment processes in visitability with those of universal design
- List 3 main features in the front yard and 3 in the back yard that could present safety issues for someone
- Suggest simple fixes for common mobility challenges
- Relate how someone goes from an outside area of the home to the inside or from the inside to the outside
- Recount how a person transitions from an outside area of the home to the inside or from the inside to the outside
The agenda followed for this program is:
- Section 1 Introduction
- Section 2 Understanding The Difference Between Universal Design & Visitability
- Section 3 Front Yard Visitability Challenges
- Section 4 Side & Rear Yard Visitability Opportunities
- Section 5 Conclusion
- Questions / Post-Course Evaluation
Successful completion of the course is attendance for the entire event, participation in the activities and discussion, having an active camera, and obtaining a 70% passing score on the in-class knowledge/skill check questions.
Anyone requiring special considerations or accommodations to attend the classes for vision, hearing, or comprehension speed should contact Steve prior to the class or use the accessibility widget on the site.
In order to keep the format of the classes interactive and to be able to answer everyone’s questions, class sizes will be kept small and registration may be closed once the optimal class size has been reached. There are several additional offerings of this class, however.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is this class all about and why was it created?
A: This one-of-a-kind class focuses on an understanding of how the design concept known as residential visitability can be used to create accessible and functional access on the exterior of a home for anyone arriving at or using any of the exterior features of a home as a fulltime resident or occasional guest. There is no other course addressing this topic.
Q: I’ve never heard of visitability or just have a limited understanding of it, so how will this class help me?
A: There are some ADA guidelines (generally not mandatory) which suggest how space is to be created for accessibility. There are a few building departments that enforce visitability this way, but this is essentially universal design. Visitability focuses on the use of exterior space and how someone (guest or occupant) can arrive at and experience the exterior features of a home comfortably and safely. That analysis and modification is the essence of visitability design.
Q: In general, what is the focus of visitability?
A: Whereas universal design focuses on the interior living space, visitable design or visitability looks at how someone can arrive at, enter, and use the exterior of the home. Getting to the front door, entering, and participating in outdoor activities at that home completes the picture. Safe, level, barrier- free surfaces are key features of this design focus.
Q: Will I learn about specific features to use in a home?
A: Since visitability applies to the exterior of the home, the interior is not addressed. However, the arrival experience, walkways, porches, steps, driveways, patios, decks, and other outdoor features are covered in this discussion. The emphasis is safety and accessibility.
Q: What is the benefit of taking this class?
A: The benefit of this completely unique course is understanding some of the challenges in evaluating, suggesting, and creating effective exterior features for the people we are helping. We want every home exterior to be a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for the people living there and the guests they invite to their home.
