Foundations: Why Construction Knowledge Is a Clinical Tool
- Connect the dots: Structural feasibility and ADL performance
- Case examples of well-meaning recommendations gone wrong
- Elevating your role as a safety advocate and collaborative planner
Core Construction Concepts for Occupational Performance
- Structural lingo decoded: Studs, joists, blocking, headers, ceiling joists
- Understanding “16 on center”: spacing, stability, and wall strength
- Load-bearing vs. non-load-bearing: what therapists need to know
- Planning ahead: Inside vs. outside walls, including ICF wall examples
Grab Bars: Clinical Insight Meets Structural Know-How
- Blocking and backer boards: what supports long-term safety
- ADA and FHA requirements—then going beyond to customize
- Personalized placement based on client mobility, not prescriptions
- Common errors in fiberglass/tile wall installations
Safe Entry, Real Access: Exterior Modifications that Work
- Site grading and slope: evaluating ramp vs. lift
- Doorway widening: what’s possible (and what’s not) in a garage wall
- Exterior wall conversion for barrier-free design
- Threshold transitions for mobility device access
Inside the Home: Structural Realities of Functional Modifications
- Doorway clearance and maneuverability standards
- Stair lifts: how to tell if the structure supports them
- Handrail requirements: what’s code, what’s clinical
Barrier-Free Bathrooms: Optimizing Function in Tight Spaces
- What makes a shower truly curbless—and safe
- Turning radius, fixture spacing, and mobility device fit
- Planning for future needs: grab bars, transfer supports, and more
Real-World Case Applications
- Clinical reasoning meets construction barriers
- Walk through therapist-led assessments with structural solutions
- Advocating with confidence: Justify, document, and implement