Occupational therapy practice centers communities and individuals as the experts of their own lived experiences. At UAB, our OT program is deeply committed to community-engaged service learning that is led by the priorities and voices of the communities themselves.
What does this look like in our study abroad program? It means our faculty prioritize long-term relationship-building with occupational therapy practitioners and community leaders who are deeply involved in local initiatives. In South Africa, our community partners guide us in how we can be most helpful—identifying meaningful, sustainable ways we can support their ongoing work.
Today, our service-learning activity took place at Athlone School for the Blind. Occupational Therapist Vania Benjamin shared that functional vision screenings, with recommendations to enhance participation for learners with both visual impairments and intellectual disabilities, would be of particular value. In response, our students conducted screenings and presented their findings and recommendations to school leadership, hostel caregivers, and teaching staff.
In addition, the Athlone team generously offered presentations and a tour to deepen our students’ understanding of the school’s work, as well as the broader roles of professionals supporting individuals with vision impairment and/or intellectual disability across the district.
We were honored to spend the day with the exceptional educators, staff, and healthcare professionals at Athlone School for the Blind. We extend our sincere thanks to Vania Benjamin for her warm welcome and for organizing such a meaningful experience for our students.
