Digital Commons Network^™

Integrative Sensory Room For General Education And Special Education 3rd-5th, Julia Henderson

Capstone Projects

Everyone has a unique sensory system that continues to change and adapt throughout their lifespan. In an 8-hour school day, children take in so much information with very little consideration of how their sensory systems may be reacting in response to varying environments and social situations. The gap within the school system remains to be seen as a lack of understanding of sensory systems and how they affect children’s learning capabilities. The objective throughout my capstone experience was to support Greyhound Intermediate School by creating a sensory room for both special education and general education students. This was done by …

The Role Of Occupational Therapy In Transition Programs For High School Students With Disabilities, Kara Hutchison

Capstone Projects

Students with disabilities frequently experience a gap in services as they grow older and after exiting the public education system. During school, students have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) to support their education, but once they graduate, the services they were receiving expire. Occupational therapy is under- utilized in transition planning for students after graduating high school and entering adulthood. The purpose of this DCE was program development and advocacy with the Project SEARCH transition program while exploring the role of occupational therapy has in transition planning for high school students with disabilities. The goal of this project was to improve …

The Integration Of Occupational Therapy In Transition Programs To Improve Outcomes For Students, Morgan Jagiela

Capstone Projects

Numerous studies exist depicting the benefit and efficacy of an occupational therapy (OT) presence within post-secondary transition programs. Both transition programs and occupational therapists aim to help students with disabilities improve independent living skills, vocational skills, and social/communication skills, so they may live functional adult lives with as few supports as possible. Despite this success and the overlap in scope, OT is rarely found in transition programs. The purpose of this doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was to develop a program that would implement occupational therapy into the Empower U transition program. Through the creation and completion of objectives, success and …

Occupational Therapy Health & Wellness Promotion For Adults Living With Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities, Sydni Rodriguez

Capstone Projects

Based on educational principles and program development, this occupational therapy doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was centered on addressing the health and wellness needs of adults living with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) at Self-Help Alternative Living Opportunities Michigan (SHALOM), a Christian non-profit organization. Research has shown that adults living with I/DD have an increased chance of having health complications related to health disparities when compared to the general population of adults. Occupational therapists have a profound role in health and wellness as it relates to access and engagement in daily occupations. This DCE was accomplished through development of a recurrent monthly walking …

Grant Funding For Non-Profit Organizations And Community Focused Entrepreneurship, Tyler Turnquist

Capstone Projects

The primary objective of this Capstone project was centered around developing grant writing skills and the ways it aids both nonprofits and small businesses to promote increased opportunities within the community. One facet of this project focused on researching and writing grants for the nonprofit, Renew Mobility to increase their operation budget, as well as creating a central database of their funding sources. This database fills the need for better organization of deadlines, interactions, and documents that can reduce the number of missed grant opportunities and increase overall funding. The second objective of this capstone was writing a grant for, …

Occupational Therapy's Role In Post-Secondary Transition Programing For Young Adults With Disabilities, Mallory Rubley

Capstone Projects

Post-secondary transition programs for young adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) are designed to support young adults with IDD in areas of independent living, academics, relationships, financial management, health and safety, and employment. All of which are within the scope of occupational therapy (OT). Within the limited post-secondary transition programs that exist for these young adults, OT is rarely included as a provided service, creating an unintentional disadvantage to the students and clients. The purpose of this Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) was program development and advocacy for the role of occupational therapy within Ready for Life (RFL), a post-secondary …

Support Group Development And Implementation For Parents With Disabilities, Jessica Zydorczyk

Capstone Projects

The focus of this capstone project was to develop a peer-to-peer support group open to any parent or caregiver with a disability navigating the challenges of pregnancy and parenthood. Occupational therapy can have a large impact on the population of individuals parenting with a disability with increased awareness and understanding of their needs. Friendship, community, resource access, and awareness were all needs addressed with the development of the parent support group. The objectives set to be achieved during the 14-week experience included conducting extensive research on the disabled parenting experiences of day-to-day life, developing of handouts and resource collection on …

Implementation Of A Bilingual Feeding Program For Hispanic Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sarah Aguilar

Capstone Projects

Feeding is an important occupation that contributes to a child’s physical, emotional, and social development and is also influenced by cultural and environmental factors, (Korth & Maune, 2020). In individuals with developmental delays, specifically autism spectrum disorder (ASD), feeding difficulties have been reported in as many as 75% of children (Nygren et al., 2021). These difficulties often result in increased feelings of anxiety experienced by the child and caregiver. Limited information exists on the impact of these on minority populations, such as Spanish speaking families that face many challenges when accessing healthcare services like language and cultural barriers. Similarly, group …

Expanding Menstrual Health And Hygiene Management At Western Michigan University, Kaitlyn R. Brady

Capstone Projects

Menstrual health and hygiene are vital yet often overlooked components of women’s well-being with implications for academic success, physical health, and social equity. This capstone project, conducted with Western Michigan University’s Broncos. Period program, aimed to address the critical issue of period poverty and inadequate menstrual hygiene management on campus. Through comprehensive needs assessments, key gaps and opportunities were identified. Objectives were created based on results from the needs assessments and implemented to secure grant funding for menstrual products, establish formal partnerships, and develop educational materials. As a result of the objectives, the project secured funding to restock partner locations, …

The Effects Of Customized Art-Based Interventions On The Quality Of Life Of Older Adults With Early-Stage Dementia, Kalei Hubert-Mclennan

Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy (OT) was founded during the Arts and Crafts and Moral Treatment Movement to assist veterans in acclimating to their communities after discharge. While arts and crafts were initially a large part of OT, after the paradigm shift to the medical model in the 1960s, art was replaced by technology and removed from the OT curriculum and ACOTE standards. As OT continued to grow as a profession, art shifted from being part of the psychodynamic approach to being utilized to gather information and foster relationships. While art is an activity that can span across ages, there is a lack …

Implementation Of An Occupation-Focused Education Program For Community-Dwelling Older Adults, Riley Janssen

Capstone Projects

A Doctoral Capstone Experience (DCE) and project was completed at the conclusion of Western Michigan University’s Occupational Therapy program with the goal of implementing an occupation-focused educational program dedicated toward topics relevant for community-dwelling older adults. The capstone project took place at the Clinton Township Senior Adult Life Center (CTSC) under the mentorship of Ericka Tringali, CPRP. The Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) focus area of this project was program development. The program consisted of three educational classes focusing on topics including Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADLs), creating healthy habits and routines, and fall prevention and energy …

A Descriptive Study: Capability For Change In Older Adult Falls Prevention Using An Intelligent And Intuitive Online Learning Platform At A Medical Care Facility, Emily N. Makowski

Capstone Projects

Older adult falls are among the most common, fatal, and costly incidents in the United States, yet they are preventable. The literature related to falls prevention education for the older adult population is vast, but evidence of effective falls prevention educational tools for indirect and direct care providers is scant. Occupational therapists collaborate with several disciplines every day and it is important for the team to work together to prevent adverse events. There is limited evidence of training delivered to an interdisciplinary team via an intelligent and intuitive online behavior change learning platform. This paper captures the impact of the …

Incorporation Of Animal Assisted Therapy Into Occupational Therapy Interventions For Pediatric Clients In An Outpatient Setting, Jamie Markus

Capstone Projects

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is an emerging field that can be used to compliment traditional occupational therapy (OT). This project particularly focused on pediatric clients receiving services in an outpatient clinic. Animal assisted occupational therapy (AAOT) can be used to improve physical, social, and emotional health through the incorporation of a certified therapy dog. OT clients actively participate in a unique and individualized intervention with the therapy dog that is designed to meet their specific goals. The purpose of this project was to further develop the Therapy Dog Clinic at Unified Clinics and to expand services to community-based organizations including …

Connections Over Compliance: A Toolkit To Create A Pathway To Success For Teachers, Paraprofessionals, And Students, Mary Kate Nelson

Capstone Projects

This Doctoral Capstone Experience focuses on the development of a comprehensive toolkit tailored specifically for early childhood professionals, including teachers and paraprofessionals. The aim of this toolkit is to provide effective support to students facing various challenges both within and beyond the classroom environment. It encompasses a diverse range of meticulously curated resources and educational materials with occupational therapy principles in mind designed to address critical areas of concern. This toolkit explores sensory processing disorders and equips early childhood professionals with essential knowledge and strategies to support their students. By facilitating ways to create a sensory-friendly environment and supporting the …

Development Of Clinical Practice Tools To Improve Understanding Of Neuro Vision Rehabilitation, Shreena Shah

Capstone Projects

Occupational therapy practitioners have a broad and diverse scope of practice, one of those being, an in-depth understanding of the visual system and how visual deficits impact an individual’ s functioning and overall well-being. This capstone experience was designed to improve practitioner understanding about visual deficits following significant neurological events and increase competency with deficit-driven interventions. Current literature demonstrates conceptual models of the visual system in order to conduct evaluations within the scope of OT , however there are limited publications for evidence-based clinical decision making with regards to vision interventions. The objectives of this capstone experience focused on increasing …

Therapeutic Recreation And Adaptive Ice Skating For Individuals With Disabilities, Anna Tamburrino

Capstone Projects

This 14-week doctoral capstone experience (DCE) was completed at Warren Special Recreation Association (WSRA) and Rising Stars Adaptive Skating program, with the focus of program development, education, and leadership. The primary goal of this capstone was to develop an adaptive ice-skating program at WSRA in collaboration with the Rising Stars Adaptive skating program. Further objectives during the capstone experience included the development and provision of training resources for both sites related to the skating program, as well as supplemental trainings for WSRA specific programs. I provided education and training resources to staff and volunteers to promote the distinct value of …

Cityscapes And Classrooms, Sheridan Britney

Capstone Projects

This analysis explores the complex interplay between Detroit’s infrastructure development, the city’s education system, and their correlation with the historical phenomena of urban sprawl. The city of Detroit has witnessed significant demographic shifts over the decades, driven by factors such as racial tension, socioeconomic disparities, and changing urban landscapes.

The expansion and evolution of Detroit’s roadways has been central to this transformation, which have shaped both physical and social aspects of the city. This study delves into how these transportation networks have contributed to, and in some cases exacerbated, disparities in educational opportunities, access, and quality within the city. It …

Enhancing Pre-Vocational Programs For High School Students With Disabilities: The Impact Of Occupational Therapy And Support Staff Education, Maria Calzada

Capstone Projects

Pre-vocational programs in high school serve as a crucial platform for supporting students in the transition from education to the workplace. These programs provide classroom instruction, hands-on training, and practical experiences to maximize students’ vocational skills post-high school. Pre-vocational programs provide a crucial platform for the development of IADL skills, task analysis, and the promotion of occupational engagement among diverse populations. The purpose of this DCE was program development within the pre-vocational program and provide additional education for the support staff at the high school setting. The goal was to improve vocational skills, including problem solving, self-advocacy, sequencing, and sustained …

Shedding Light On Shadow Casts, Kiara Durbin

Honors Theses

On Sunday, November 12, 2023, Kalamazoo’s pioneer American Sign Language-interpreted shadow cast performance took place in Shaw Theatre at Western Michigan University. Clue is a mystery-comedy based on the beloved board game, loaded with witty dialogue and physical comedy. It was the perfect vehicle for the Kalamazoo county’s premiere American Sign Language (ASL) shadow cast—a special performance where the interpreters are directly onstage following the movements, dialogue, and intonation of the actors. It was produced through a unique collaborative effort of Western Michigan University’s Department of Theatre, Stage Hands, a Michigan-based ASL performance interpreting company, and Theatre Kalamazoo, a local …

Wmu Board Of Trustees Formal Session ,March 14, 2024, Wmu Board Of Trustees

WMU Board of Trustees Meetings

Acceptance of the Agenda

Approval of the Minutes

Remarks by the Chair Pro-Tem

Remarks by the President

Updates by the Faculty Senate President

Updates by the Western Student Association President

Capital Intern Program Presentation: Cultivating a Leader: WMU Student's Journey in the

Capital Intern Program

Public Comments Regarding Action Items

Action Items

Consent Items

• Liquor License – Multiple Events
• Curriculum Proposals
• Personnel Report
• Annuity and Life Income Funds Performance Report
• Operating Cash Investment Performance Report

General Public Comments

Hidden Opportunity: The Advantages Of Synchronizing Multiple Knowledge Bases, Emily Gross, Soley Somma, Jon Crossno

University Libraries Faculty & Staff Presentations

There are many advantages to synchronizing your knowledge bases that benefit your library. However, with reduced staff, the rapid changes across e-Resources, and working with multiple vendors, synching knowledge bases can seem daunting. Panelists will share why and how they chose to synchronize knowledge bases to support their library's strategy.

A Wide-Angle View Of Prekindergarten Through 12th-Grade Teachers’ Beliefs About Language Correction, Mike Metz, Matthew J. Gordon, Thanh Nguyen

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

This article explores patterns in teachers’ reported correction of student language use in speech and writing. The authors use the concept of language correction in student writing and student speech as a proxy for prescriptive approaches to teaching about language. By conducting a large-scale survey of all language and literacy teachers from preschool through 12th grade across an entire state, the authors were able to identify patterns in teachers’ approaches to teaching about language that smaller case studies and nuanced qualitative studies have not yet documented. They examine differences in teachers’ self-reported correction of student language use across teacher characteristics …

“Not A Stereotype”: A Teacher Framework For Evaluating Disability Representation In Children’S Picture Books, H. Emily Hayden, Angela M.T. Prince

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Researchers and educators have explored representations of people with marginalized identities in children’s picturebooks for over 30 years. Disability has not been widely acknowledged as a marginalized identity nor explored as an aspect of diversity prevalent in classrooms. In the United States, over seven million students are identified with a disability, and most will spend the majority of their school day in general education classrooms. Like other diverse students, they may not see their identities mirrored in classroom literature. Picturebooks featuring main characters with a disability are rare, and some still foreground medical models, limiting individuals with narrow, ableist notions …

Relational Literacies And Restorative Justice: “We’Re Part Of Something Bigger And As Big As The Collective”, Erica Holyoke

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

Restrictive instruction and punitive discipline often run parallel in schools, prompting a continued need to provide authentic learning opportunities that value children’s literacy strengths in an inclusive community. Restorative justice has been identified as a pedagogical stance in addressing harmful policies in schools, and it is most often examined in secondary contexts and specifically in relation to discipline—rarely in relation to young children’s literacies and learning. This multisite case study explored the intersections of restorative practices and literacy learning in elementary classrooms (K–3) across three schools in the same large public school district in the United States. Using relational literacies …

Disability Representations And Portrayals In Picture Books With The Coretta Scott King Award, Sohyun Meacham, Shuaib J. Meacham, Irenea Walker, Bryce Davis

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

This study analyzed how people with disabilities are portrayed in picture books with the Coretta Scott King Award (CSKA) to address the intersectionality of African/African American racial identity and disabilities. Disability critical race theory was foundational for this study. The pool of 134 picture books that received the CSKA from 1971 to 2020 was used as the data for the systematic content analysis. For analysis, the researchers utilized a qualitative approach that guided axial coding and selective coding in looking for emerging themes. They found that 13 picture books portrayed African/African American characters with disabilities. The majority of these books …

It Takes A Village To Raise A Grandchild: Developing Communities Of Support For Grand-Families On Pei, Canada, Christina Murray, Laura Bain, Nora Spinks, Donald Avery

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

In this practice brief, we outline our research focused on grandparents raising grandchildren in Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada. Specifically, we highlight a series of collaborative community workshops implemented as part of our research project. Using a participatory action research approach, we worked with grandparents raising grandchildren to co-design and implement the workshops, which we titled It Takes a Village to Raise a Grandchild. These workshops brought together grandparents raising grandchildren and key community members, including clergy, educators, healthcare providers, politicians, social services, child services, and researchers. The goal of these workshops was to build awareness and increase understanding …

Grand Connections: A Workshop Series To Support Grandparents Caring For Grandchildren Under 5, Kathy Kinsner

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

A workshop series for grandparents caring for grandchildren under five was developed by ZERO TO THREE and piloted online in 2021 as part of a multi-year effort to create resources specifically for grandparents and kinship caregivers. Seven workshops, each 90 minutes long, offer a unique 3-generation approach: Grandparents receive the latest information on child-rearing, strategies for collaborating with their grandchild’s parents, and opportunities to connect with their grandchildren through read-alouds and art activities. Workshop materials (detailed lesson plans, slide decks, and grandparent handouts) are available online at no charge to organizations wishing to run a program of their own.

Of …

A Global Perspective On Intersecting Social And Systemic Barriers Experienced By Grandparent-Caregivers: A Qualitative Systematic Review, Schola N. Matovu, Deborah M. Whitley, Heather M. Young

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Globally, many grandparents are taking on the caregiving role for their grandchildren without public or government interjection of support, particularly financial assistance for basic needs such as housing, health care and living expenses. This paper aimed to broaden understanding of social and systemic barriers experienced by grandparent-caregivers across the globe. Of the 2,828 relevant grandparent caregiving studies identified in the literature, 34 representing eight countries met our inclusion criteria to answer the research question and the focus of this paper: What are the social and systemic barriers experienced by grandparent-caregivers across the globe? We utilized Noblit’s and Hare’s (1988) meta-ethnography …

Editorial Remarks: Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary!

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

We are pleased to announce GrandFamilies is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2024! It has been ten years since the first issue was published in 2014. We are very proud of the journal’s success due to the many researchers, service practitioners and policy reviewers who, over this decade, consider GrandFamilies a preferred publication outlet to disseminate new and original knowledge on grandparent-headed families.

We thank our readership for their loyalty to the journal, which to date spans 165 countries, clearly demonstrating the journal’s global impact! Our readers are primarily from academic institutions, government agencies, public service organizations, and commercial groups. …

Call For Papers

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Call for Papers

GrandFamilies: The Contemporary Journal of Research, Practice and Policy

Submission Deadline: October 15, 2024