TAP Partners
(Therapist Action Plan)
TAP, short for “Therapist Action Plan,” works in partnership with the TAP Partners group. Three disabled occupational therapists organized these groups, in collaboration with disability organizations and national therapy professional associations, to help meet the needs of individuals with disabilities and seniors/older adults in our communities during disasters and beyond. The idea is to mobilize Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech Therapy, Professionals & Students to support Disability Organizations and to meet specific needs of individuals with disabilities during disasters and other emergencies. It also provides a unique opportunity for therapy professionals and students to experience self-directed services and to learn the lived experiences of people with disabilities, while becoming a partner for thriving and surviving.
The team will use this group to begin building a network of individuals and local, national, and state organizations interested in participating. Partners can share resources and post announcements of what they need in specific communities, and the team will connect them with TAP members who may be able to provide assistance. Individuals and organizations may also call the Partnership for Inclusive Disaster Strategies Hotline (800) 626-4959 to be connected to TAP. However, first, the team needs to collaborate with interested Partners.
The team is recruiting TAP members for two initiatives. The team hopes you will JOIN the TAP Partners Facebook Group today.
TAP Disaster Preparedness, Management & Response
Disaster Preparedness, Management, and Response is an overarching initiative of TAP and the TAP Partners Network. The team believes therapists are uniquely positioned to provide expertise and support before, during, and after disasters and other emergencies. The team is currently recruiting volunteers, who are interested in engaging in efforts at national, state, and local levels, to ensure accessibility and inclusion of individuals with disabilities in processes, at shelters, and in community plans of action.
TAP CPR (Therapist Action Plan for Care Partner Relief)
COVID-19 has changed our world – more than we could ever have imagined. Social Distancing has created unfathomable changes to everyone’s lives. However, for those who require Personal Care Assistants for health and independence, the challenges are even greater – in fact life threatening. A system already experiencing huge shortages is unable to meet the needs of our neighbors with disabilities. TAP CPR is a solution to help meet those needs. Therapy professionals and students, in collaboration with disability organizations and advocates, can be that solution. The team is recruiting volunteers (and possibly paid opportunities) to support individuals who require Personal Care Assistant services. Disability organizations and/or individuals can send requests for support services and the team will reach out to the TAP members in that local community to locate a match for the specific request.
The team hopes TAP will continue to grow and connect therapy professionals and students with disability organizations and advocates to ensure individuals with disabilities are safe and can maintain and improve their independence. Please join the TAP Partners today. Thank you.
For more information contact: Sandy Hanebrink admin@touchthefuture.us, Jenn Wolff justjennot@gmail.com or Barbara Kornblau barbarakornblau@gmail.com