Dr. Ben Mortenson, Assistant Professor in the
Department of Occupational Science and
Occupational Therapy is beginning a vital proj-
ect to improve users’ scooter skills, prevent
accidents, and improve their social participa-
tion.
The prevalence of older Canadian adults with
mobility problems is increasing because of pop-
ulation aging. Unfortunately, most scooter users
receive little more thanrudimentary instruc-
tions. As a result, scooter-related accidents are
common occurrences and may cause serious or
fatal injuries to their users and/or others.
To improve scooter related-outcomes, Dr.
Mortenson has launched a program of research
in this area, which has three main projects. First,
Dr. Mortenson is currently evaluating the meas-
urement properties of a variety of new scooter
related measures, which will be used in future
research studies. Second, with graduated
Master of Occupational Therapy students Rosie
Higgins and Emily Hoag and front line clinicians
Linda Joyce and Richelle Emery, he has
completed a survey of various stakeholders
about the perceived importance of scooter
training, and the format and content of training
that they recommend. Third, this information
has been integrated into a novel community
based scooter-training program. This System-
atic, Comprehensive One-to-One Training
(SCOOT), utilizes trainer-facilitated problem
solving to identify strategies to manage environ-
mental barriers and to enable better user partic-
ipation. “We have submitted funding for a study
to evaluate the efficacy of SCOOT,” Dr Morten-
son says. “We anticipate that by training users
to use their scooters in their communities, we
will be able to improve their skills, decrease ac-
cidents, improve their mobility and confidence
and facilitate their social participation, which
will improve the quality of their lives and the
lives of those around them.”
If you would like more information about Dr.
Mortenson’ research, or would like to partici-
pate in one of his studies please contact
Naomi Bartz at
or 604-
714-4108.
Western University Faculty
Members Sandra Hobson &
Lisa Klinger Celebrating
Future Occupations
and Retirement in 2014
The School of Occupational Therapy at Western Univer-
sity would like to announce the retirement
of two long standing committed, loyal and
dedicated faculty members: Professors
Sandra Hobson, and Lisa Klinger. With a
combined service record at Western of 37
years, we celebrate their contributions to
the School, Faculty, and the profession of
Occupational Therapy.
Sandra Hobson received her occupational
therapy degree fromQueen’s University in 1976 and prac-
ticed in worker rehab, physical health and geriatrics. In
1990, she obtained a Master Degree in Adult Education
from Saint Francis Xavier University and began her aca-
demic career at Western in 1991. In 1997 she was pro-
moted to Associate Professor. Sandra is a dedicated
educator and has taught numerous practice courses fo-
cusing on geriatrics and enabling occupation through as-
sistive technology and environmental modification. She
co-chaired many fieldwork initiatives and has been instru-
mental in working with students in their final fieldwork ex-
perience while also providing leadership in curriculum
development and evaluation. Her research interests in-
clude professional education, client-centred practice,
gerontic occupational therapy, and assistive technology.
Sandra developed the concept of Hands On Technology
to promote both student and client learning with respect
to assistive technology and barrier-free design. Over the
years, she has had the opportunity to teach occupational
therapy as an invited guest at a number of international
universities including Yonsei University in South Korea and
Yakutsk State University in northeastern Siberia. She has
also traveled to Moscow and Minsk to promote the in-
troduction of occupational therapy and was awarded an
Honorary Doctorate from the Belarusian State Medical
University in Minsk in recognition of her significant con-
tribution to the ongoing development of their rehabilita-
tion programs. Sandra has also been awarded a Fellow of
CAOT for her many years of active involvement in numer-
ous areas including editorial reviews, academic accredita-
tion, and leadership in geriatrics. During Western’s recent
Summer 2014 convocation, the title of Professor Emerita
was bestowed upon her.
Improving Scooter
Skills and Enabling
Participation with
Systematic,
One-to-One Training
continued on page 8
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