KS
Kristen Sheuer
  • occupational therapy
  • Class of 2014
  • Fairport, N.Y.

Kristen Sheuer Makes Taughannock Falls for Everyone

2015 Feb 5

Kristen Sheuer, an occupational graduate student at Ithaca College, provided suggestions for accessibility issues Taughannock Falls State Park in Trumansburg, N.Y., and researched possible solutions at as part of her Play and Leisure course.

Sheuer's instructor Catherine Gooch first noticed the accessibility issues when visiting the park last summer. She shared these concerns with her students and provided them with a project outline. Sheuer, along with her classmates, researched accessibility policies and the Americans with Disabilities Act, and assessed the park to provide descriptive details that could help increase the park's accessibility.

The group with park manager John VanValen to suggest changes and help to plan the acquisition of an all-terrain wheelchair made with thicker materials and wider wheels that would allow individuals with disabilities to better enjoy the park.

The park manager shared the students' concerns with his team and already implemented some of the suggested changes. He also hopes to purchase the wheelchair this summer.

The Ithaca College occupational sciences/occupational therapy B.S./M.S. is a five-year program focused on developing the skills to help people cope with physical, developmental, emotional and cognitive disabilities. The program provides students with both hands on and academic experience to prepare for the national certification exam and a career as an occupational therapist.

For more information on Taughannock Falls State Park, visit http://www.nysparks.com/parks/62/details.aspx.