Supporting Positive Interactions with Individuals with Disabilities: A Law Enforcement Guide

Authors

• Brittany James Jefferson, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow
• Mary Jan Greer, University of St. Augustine for Health SciencesFollow

Files

Description

This capstone project developed an educational guide to support law enforcement officers in creating safe and effective interactions with individuals with disabilities. A needs assessment informed the guide’s development, which was grounded in occupational therapy principles and the Person Environment Occupation Performance (PEOP) model. The guide was implemented within a law enforcement setting and evaluated through officer feedback. Findings indicated strong baseline experience among officers, with added value in providing structured strategies to support communication, interpretation, and de-escalation. This project highlights the role of occupational therapy in promoting inclusive, community-based practice.

Publication Date

Spring 4-9-2026

Publisher

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences

Keywords

Occupational therapy, Law enforcement, Disability awareness, De-escalation, Communication, PEOP model, Community practice

Medical Subject Headings

Feedback, Law enforcement, Needs assessment, Occupational therapy, Police, Disabled persons, Communication

Disciplines

Law | Occupational Therapy

Comments

Poster presented at the OTD Capstone Symposium held at the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences April 22, 2026.

Recommended Citation

Jefferson, B. J., & Greer, M. J. (2026, April 9). Supporting Positive Interactions with Individuals with Disabilities: A Law Enforcement Guide. Poster presented at the Virtual OTD Capstone Symposium, University of St Augustine for Health Sciences. Retrieved from https://soar.usa.edu/otdcapstonesspring2026/10