Home Modifications: Creating Accessible, Inclusive Housing

January 30th and 31st – February 6th and 7th, 2025
8:30 am – Noon MST Each Day

Occupational therapists (OTs) are experts at enabling function and safety for clients and
caregivers alike, by determining the fit between persons and the built environment. The design
of one’s home is a key factor in reducing use of primary healthcare services, preventing or
delaying a move in order to accommodate physical or cognitive impairments, and to keeping
persons with functional limitations engaged in meaningful roles and relationships.

This 4x half-day virtual workshop is designed to build competency among community-
based OTs around knowing what to assess and how, as well as how-to overcome physical
access barriers by matching product solutions and designs to the needs of clients, families and
caregivers. It will also touch on the scope and role of OTs relative to others involved in the home
health and home modification industries (e.g., vendors, manufacturers, designers, contractors,
funders). Significant time and attention will be given to discussing room-by-room assessments,
practical solutions, and residential design guidelines for improved function, safety, and
accessibility.

Case scenarios and images of real-world projects will be used to illustrate best practices and
emerging ideas and products. In addition, manufacturer and/or local vendor representatives will
be included, along with breakout room activities, to maximize participants’ learning experience.
Note: This workshop is recommended for practising occupational therapists (OTs) with a
minimum of 3-5 years of clinical experience, who are (primarily) working in the community with
adults (18-64 years) and older adults (65+ years).

Objectives:

By the end of this 4x half-day virtual workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Define key terminology (i.e., home safety, home modifications, visitability, accessibility, and
universal or inclusive design).
2. Understand the occupational therapy (OT) role in home modifications, including opportunities
for practice expansion.
3. Identify methods, tools, and practices used during OT-based home modification assessments
(i.e. what & how-to assess, documentation, reporting, etc.).
4. Describe home modification products and designs to remove physical access barriers and
enable occupational performance throughout the home.
6. Discuss individual and societal factors that influence the adoption and scope of home
modifications.
7. Understand the provincial (Alberta) landscape re: building codes, design guidelines, zoning
bylaws, funding sources, vendors, contractors, designers, builders.

Speaker’s Bio:
Margot McWhirter is a Registered Occupational Therapist with a Master’s Degree in
Gerontology, as well as certifications in Universal Design, Patient Navigation, and the Executive
Certificate in Home Modifications (ECHM) from University of Southern California. She operates
her Ontario-based private practice, Inclusive Aging, which specializes in accessibility and aging-
in-place services. These services include simple and complex home modifications, equipment
and care coordination, and education for individuals and (family) caregivers.

Margot also collaborates with businesses to develop more inclusive products, spaces, and
services. She is co-chair of the CAOT’s Home Modifications and Inclusive Design practice
network, member of an interprofessional Design and Dementia Community of Practice, and
retired member of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA)’s B651 Technical Committee on
Accessible Design for the Built Environment. Frequently invited as a public speaker and
lecturer, Margot is dedicated to ending one of the last socially acceptable prejudices – ageism –
and is committed to creating a world where everyone feels included.

Co-presenter Bio:
Co-presenter for the Alberta Lens – Catherine Eckersley, Valley to Peak
Valley to Peak specializes in individualized occupational therapy (OT) services,
including home accessibility, aging-in-place, wheelchair and equipment prescription,
neurorehabilitation, mental health, return-to-work, ergonomics, and post-COVID assessment
and treatment. Since 2018, Owner and OT Catharine has worked daily in the urban and
rural homes of her fellow Albertans, increasing their quality of life, independence,
and safety. Winner of 2024 and 2023 Consumer Choice Award and 2023 and 2022
Community Votes Calgary Platinum Award.

View Schedule

Attendance results in better learning outcomes. Provision of a recording is only at the discretion of SAOT.  NOTE – Recordings will not be provided except where a registrant has made a request in advance. Recordings will only be provided in the event of an extenuating circumstance – personal illness, personal injury or family emergency. When granted, a recording will be available for seven days.