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CATEA at the International Conference on Aging Disability and Independence (ICADI)

ICADI will be held February 21-23, 2008 in St. Petersburg, FL. The conference focuses on ways to support people as they age to maintain independence in daily living at home, at work and in the community. CATEA's RERC on Workplace Accommodations & RERC on Wheeled Mobility are some of the partner organizations at this year's ICADI. CATEA will have several presentations at the upcoming conference. Pre-conference events will be held February 20, 2008 and will include a co-organized session with the RERC on Universal Design at Suny Buffalo entitled, "The 21st Century Community". Jon Sanford, co-director of the WorkRERC, is one of the coordinators of the pre-conference session. He is also Chair of the conference track on Work and Aging. Abstracts from the Work and Aging track are available below.

Hotel Information

Hilton St. Petersburg
333 First St. South,
St. Petersburg, FL
1-800-445-8667

To register for the conference or for more information visit: http://www.icadi.phhp.ufl.edu

Abstracts - Work and Aging Track

Accommodations For Mobility In The Workplace: A Comparison Of Workers With And Without Wheeled Mobility Devices

presentation

Description

A survey was conducted with persons reporting mobility difficulties at work. The types of accommodations used by people with wheeled mobility devices were compared to the types of accommodations used by workers without wheeled mobility devices. Interestingly, custom/ergononmic workstations were common for both groups. However the participants of the two groups reported different type of tasks for which that accommodation was most often used to address.

Authors

Mr. Jesse S Zolna; Dr. Dory Sabata, OTD, OTR; Jon A Sanford, M.arch.

Presenters

Mr. Jesse S Zolna

Assistive Technology In Production Settings

presentation

Description

After visiting a variety of production settings, specific assistive technologies were identified that allowed people with disabilities to work effectively and competitively in these settings. This presentation will share information about the assistive technologies identified and how they benefit employees with various disabilities.

Authors

Sarah Endicott, OT; Mr. Scott A. Haynes, MBME

Presenters

Sarah Endicott, OT; Mr. Scott A. Haynes, MBME

Aging Teachers With Disabilities: Experiences With Accommodations

presentation

Description

Science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) educators aging with or into disability may need accommodations in order to teach. Survey results show that STEM educators are mostly using environmental accommodations and equipment that may be already in place (e.g., ramps, LCD projector) and less likely to be using specialized assistive technology. In addition, many educators are determining and paying for their own accommodations, with less input from employers and rehabilitation professionals than would be expected.

Authors

Ms. Karen Milchus, ATP

Presenters

Ms. Karen Milchus, ATP

From A Distance: Remote Workplace Accommodation Assessments

presentation

Description

The purpose of this ongoing project is to develop a comprehensive protocol for conducting remote workplace assessments using videoconferencing technology. An extensive analysis of existing assessment instruments identified the person-environment fit factors and types of information that are critical to identifying potential interventions. This analysis led to the development of an assessment instrument that guides an evaluator through collecting subjective and objective data to inform decision making in a remote workplace accommodations protocol.

Authors

Carrie Bruce, MA; Jon A Sanford, M.arch.

Presenters

Carrie Bruce, MA

Policy Change And The Accommodating Workplace: Issues, Barriers And Opportunities

presentation

Description

A conceptual framework of workplace accommodation issues associated with the employment of people with disabilities and the aging was developed to help identify policy barriers and opportunities, using online policy Delphi Method, a polling instrument used to assess key issues, and intervention options. This paper presents research conducted toward articulating policy initiatives that address the key issues critical to the development of effective approaches for the implementation of workplace accommodations.

Authors

Dr. Paul M.A. Baker, Ph.D.; Nathan Moon

Presenters

Dr. Paul M.A. Baker, Ph.D.

Product Review Of Computer Workstations For Use In Alternative Working Postures

presentation

Description

Advances in computer technology and an interest in providing healthy work environments motivate computer operators to move away from traditional, upright seated postures. The purpose of this presentation is to provide an overview of products designed to allow people to use their computer from alternative working postures. The products reviewed include those currently on the market as well as some that have been customized to meet the specific needs of individuals with disabilities.

Authors

Mr. Scott A. Haynes, MBME

Presenters

Mr. Scott A. Haynes, MBME

Understanding Workplace Accommodations From The Consumer Perspective

presentation

Description

Few studies have been conducted that identify the types of accommodations that facilitate job performance for persons with disabilities. Those studies that have been completed look at accommodations primarily from the perspective of the employer. This presentation will share results from research conducted to identify commonly recommended workplace accommodations, the average number of accommodations implemented, and who was responsible for implementing the accommodation.

Authors

Sarah Endicott, OT; Dr. Dory Sabata, OTD, OTR; Dr. Michael Williams, PhD

Presenters

Sarah Endicott, OT; Dr. Dory Sabata, OTD, OTR

Working Posture Preferences For Elderly Computer Operators With Low Back Pain

presentation

Description

Employers are looking for ways to retain older employees past retirement age. Changes in computer technology and improvements to ergonomics in the workplace make changes to traditional computer workstations more feasible. In response to these trends a study was conducted in which computer operators worked from five different postures. Results indicate that adjustments to arm supports and placement of computer peripherals impacts posture preferences, and that age-related trends warrant further research into this topic.

Authors

Mr. Scott A. Haynes, MBME

Presenters

Mr. Scott A. Haynes, MBME