This July, Occupational Therapy Assistant students from American Career College-Orange County volunteered to help enhance the safety and independence of local older adults at a CarFit event in Rossmoor.
Developed and sponsored by AARP, the American Automobile Association, and the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) partnership, the CarFit program provides drivers with comprehensive vehicle safety checks, ensuring their cars were adjusted for maximum comfort and security. The event also allowed the students to showcase practical applications of occupational therapy and its positive impact on community health and safety.
“We're adjusting their steering wheels, we're adjusting their seats, and we're making sure that everything in their vehicle is working as it should be,” ACC-Orange County OTA student Vanessa L said during the event. “I personally love it because we're able to get the experience before going out to the real world. We're able to build that rapport with people, and it's just practicing our communication with them.”
Throughout the day, OTA students conducted comprehensive vehicle safety checks, ensuring that all the cars were adjusted to maximize comfort and safety. From proper seat positioning to mirror adjustments, the goal was to ensure that each driver felt confident and secure behind the wheel. A proper fit in one’s car can increase not only the driver’s safety but also the safety of others.
“After I got my kinesiology bachelor’s degree, I dove into occupational therapy because I saw how much more personal it was to an individual. Occupational therapy is something that we do to help a person gain back their independence,” ACC-OC OTA student Francisco G. said. “For the people that don't know about OT, it's important to expose them to see the difference that we can make in the world.”
Besides being a learning opportunity for students, the event was also a chance to give back to the community. Senior adults who attended the event left with a better understanding of how to adjust their vehicles for optimal safety, and many expressed their gratitude for the personalized attention and care they received.
ACC Co-President Susan Pailet shared her immense pride in the OTA students and associates, highlighting their dedication to both their education and the well-being of the community.
"Seeing our students apply their knowledge to benefit the community is incredibly rewarding,” she said. “Their hard work makes a real difference in the lives of local seniors.”
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