From the Classroom to the Community: Partnering with Chicago’s Youth to Improve Health and Wellness

Lindsey Strieter, Clinical Instructor, UIC Department of Physical Therapy
Tiffany Besana, Student, UIC Department of Physical Therapy
John Heybach, Founder and President, Altus Academy
Alfredo Villegas, Principal, Altus Academy

Started in 2016, the UIC Department of Physical Therapy created a program called the Health and Wellness Academy (HWA) to promote healthy living practices in Chicago youth. HWA’s partnership with Altus Academy has become much more than a community health initiative. This session will share how students from both UIC and Altus form relationships through educational opportunities that motivate learning beyond the classroom walls and into their communities—building positive relationships with food and movement.

Learning Together: An Innovative Community Partnership in Service of Individuals and Families with Down Syndrome

Ashley Stoffel, Clinical Associate Professor, UIC Department of Occupational Therapy
Jenica Lee, Clinical Assistant Professor, UIC Department of Occupational Therapy
Vanessa Peixoto Honorato, Student, UIC Department of Occupational Therapy
Grace Glenny, Site Coordinator, GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago
Jennifer Puma, Program Coordinator, GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago
Lauren Duffy, Therapeutic Programming Committee Member, GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago

The UIC Department of Occupational Therapy has partnered with GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago for over 10 years to support programming for individuals with Down syndrome, their families and the community. UIC OT students lead and develop groups with GiGi’s Playhouse staff, participants and their families to improve independence in everyday activities, including self-care, play, dance, cooking and employment. This session will describe examples of this authentic, mutually beneficial and collaborative effort leading to a model of sustainable and unique community partnerships.

3D Printing and Accessible Classrooms: Collaborating on Tools to Enhance Independence in Vocational and Everyday Activities

Kathy Hooyenga, Clinical Assistant Professor, UIC Assistive Technology Unit
James Graham, Equipment Specialist, UIC Assistive Technology Unit
Abigail Thomas, Occupational Therapist, Easterseals DuPage and Fox Valley
Becki Heimerle, Speech Language Pathologist, ICRE-R
Aida Christopher, Student, ICRE-R

The Assistive Technology Unit (ATU) of the UIC Department of Disability and Human Development, in collaboration with the Illinois Center for Rehabilitation and Education-Roosevelt (ICRE-R), a high school transition program for students with physical disabilities, developed an ICRE-R student-run, adaptive equipment clinic. Utilizing 3D printing, adaptive devices are customized to students’ requested needs, enhancing students’ ability to participate in everyday activities independently. This session will share examples of the adaptive equipment designs and describe the work of the ATU, ICRE-R and UIC students to further develop the program, including teaching ICRE-R students 3D printing skills.

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