Low Vision Rehabilitation Curriculum: A Design Using the AOTA Standards for Continuing Competence

Area of Science:

• Occupational Therapy
• Distance Education
• Low Vision Rehabilitation

Background:

• Occupational therapists (OTs) require specialized training in low vision rehabilitation.
• Continuing professional development is crucial for maintaining competence in specialized practice areas.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the development of a comprehensive, web-based distance education curriculum for occupational therapy graduate certificate in low vision rehabilitation.
• To utilize the AOTA Standards of Continuing Competence as a framework for curriculum design.

Main Methods:

• Development of a post-professional, web-based curriculum.
• Framework integration of the AOTA Standards of Continuing Competence.
• Guidance of course content and instructional materials development using the standards.

Main Results:

• Successful development of a comprehensive distance education curriculum.
• Demonstrated positive value of the curriculum for occupational therapists.
• Effective use of AOTA Standards to guide curriculum and material development.

Conclusions:

• The developed curriculum effectively enhances occupational therapists' competence in low vision rehabilitation.
• Web-based distance education is a viable model for specialized post-professional OT training.
• The AOTA Standards provide a robust framework for curriculum development in OT.