When occupational therapists work with people with disabilities they focus on:

• how they can enable clients to function at an optimal level, despite impairments
  
• how activities which the person needs or wants to do can be modified or adapted to make them easier
• how clients  feel about themselves and their ability to tackle problems
• how the physical and social environment can be altered so that restrictions are reduced 

Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings, such as hospital wards, care homes, specialised rehabilitation services and social service departments. 

Occupational therapy can help people with a physical disability pursue daily activities and favourite hobbies

Marc was admitted to hospital after a serious car accident which left him with physical disabilities and unable to speak. He was angry about how much the accident had changed his life. His occupational therapist looked at Marc’s quality of life and thought about what he could do when he left hospital. She discovered that Marc loved fishing so explored what skills were involved in fishing and helped him work towards regaining those skills. He now goes fishing independently.

Examples of how occupational therapists help people with disabilities

• assisting people to carry out activities of daily living, such as dressing, cooking or using public transport
• assisting people to remain in employment through vocational rehabilitation programmes
• providing advice and information which people can use to manage their own conditions effectively
• helping people to remain living in their own homes through home adaptations provision of equipment or developing ‘coping strategies’
• running group activities, such as fatigue management or falls prevention
• providing activities so that the person can develop particular skills
• giving people opportunities to practice functional skills in order to promote independence
• assessing for orthotics, prosthetics and wheelchairs to help with physical function and mobility 
• ensuring a person with severe mobility problems can move or be moved safely in his or her own environment
• helping a person to set realistic and achievable personal goals
• helping a person come to terms with a situation if it cannot be changed or improved
• helping people to enjoy their leisure time