University of Toronto
International Centre for Disability and Rehabilitation

ICDR-Trinidad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About

Purpose & History

ICDR-Trinidad was formed in 2004 with the objective of promoting rehabilitation services, research, and education in Trinidad and Tobago.

What we do:

  • Contribute to the training and education of University of Toronto students in the Rehabilitation Sciences Sector, primarily through clinical internships at the Immortelle Children’s Centre and the Immortelle Prevocational Centre in Port of Spain, Trinidad.
  • Conduct research in the areas of early intervention, rehabilitation service availability, and program evaluation.
  • Provide sustainable resources and education to clients, parents, teachers, and healthcare professionals in Trinidad and Tobago.
  • Promote awareness for the groups’ projects and fundraising initiatives.
  • Ongoing collaboration and support of our partners in Trinidad and Tobago.

 

Leadership

Chair: Lisa Vanderwater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vice-Chair Research: Deb Cameron

Vice-Chair Finance: Patrice dePeiza

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vice-Chair Education: Sandy Steinwender 

 

Vice-Chair Education: Lauren Marcus

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Members

The Trinidad Working Group members consist of the executive leadership team, current or past perceptors and students, and others interested in rehabilitation in Trinidad and Tobago.

Partners

 

Education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Student Internships

Occupational therapy internships have been running at the Immortelle Children’s Centre and Prevocational Centre since 20o1. To date, there have been over 140 occupational therapy students who have participated in this internship. Many speech language pathology and physical therapy students have also completed internships at the Immortelle Children’s Centre.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, occupational therapy students and speech language pathology students completed their internships online. During these novel internships, rehabilitation students were able to provide workshops, therapy sessions, and consultation to the staff, students and caregivers at the Immortelle Centre virtually.

Please see the ICI information sheet for information on international clinical internships in Trinidad.

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Rehabilitation Initiatives

  • 2019: Bachelor of Health Sciences students from Carleton University led health promotion projects at Immortelle Centre that focused on education around healthy eating and nutrition, with consideration of relevant environmental, economic, and socio-cultural factors.
  • 2009, 2010, 2011: Behavioural therapists from Erinoak Kids Centre for Treatment and Development provided assessment, intervention and education to parents and teachers at the Immortelle Centre.
  • 2008: Canadian Speech language pathologists provided assessments for students at the Immortelle Centre.  Education sessions with parents and health care workers were also held.
  • 2008: Donations of therapy equipment, such as walkers and wheelchairs, were collected in Canada and shipped to various facilities in Trinidad.
  • 2006, 2007, 2008: Canadian Occupational therapists traveled to Trinidad to conduct a summer camp offering assessment and treatment services. In 2007, a University of Toronto medical student supported the development of the camp through a program evaluation.
  • 2005: The working group organized for a Trinidadian boy to travel to Canada for orthopedic and drooling surgery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research

a) Projects and Publications

  • Terrana, A., Tahsin, F., Dowdell, J., Edwards, B., Cacciacaro, L., Cameron, D. (2016). Perspectives of Key Stakeholders about Vocational Training and Rehabilitation in Trinidad and Tobago.British Journal of Occupational Therapy. Vol. 79(11) 703–712.
  • Njelesani J, Leckie K, Drummond J, Cameron D. (2014). Parental perceptions of barriers to physical activity in children with developmental disabilities living in Trinidad and Tobago.Disability and Rehabilitation. doi:10.3109/09638288.2014.918186
  • Wiley B, Cameron D, Hogg A, Gulati S. (2014). Exploring the use of Tablets (iPads) with Children and Young Adults with Disabilities in Trinidad.Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. doi:10.3109/17483107.2014.914251
  • Haro A, Knight B, Cameron D, Nixon S, Ahluwahia P, Hicks E. (2014). Becoming an Occupational Therapist: Impact of International Fieldwork Placements on Clinical Practice.Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy 81(3): 173-182. doi: 10.1177/0008417414534629
  • Cameron, D., Cockburn, L., Nixon, S., Parnes, P., Garcia, L., Leotaud, J., MacPherson, K., Mashaka, P., Mlay, R., Wango, J., Williams, T. Global Partnerships for International Fieldwork in Occupational Therapy: Reflection and Innovation. Occupational Therapy International. 2013 Jun;20(2):88-96.
  • Rehabilitation Research and Practice, vol. 2013, Article ID 208187, 9 pages, 2013. doi:10.1155/2013/208187. “Assessing Global Health Competencies in Rehabilitation Students,” by Mirella Veras, Kevin Pottie, Vivian Welch, Tim Ramsay, Govinda P. Dahal, Debra Cameron and Peter Tugwell
  • Suarez-Balcazer, Y, Hansen, A, Munoz, J, Stein F, Ilott, I, Ammeral, M, Njelesani, J, Cameron, D, Hammel, J. (2011). International Partnerships in Occupational Therapy: Realities of a Globally-Connected Profession. AOTA. Baltimore, Maryland.
  • Roy, A., Cameron, D., & Garcia, L.  “Implementing the National Policy on Persons with Disability:  A look at rehabilitation service needs in Trinidad and Tobago.”  University of Toronto, 2008.
  • Smallman, L. & Cameron, D. “Trinidadian Teachers Experience and Perspectives Surrounding their Administration of Paediatric Screening Tools.”  (Research Grant:  Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Education). University of Toronto, 2007.
  • Clifford, D. & Cameron, D. “Trinidadian Teachers Experience and Perspectives Surrounding Their Administration of Paediatric Screening Tools.” (Research Grant:  Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Education). University of Toronto, 2007.
  • Markowitz, L., Cameron, D., & Parnes, P.  “Alternative and Augmentative Communication: Services and Needs.” University of Toronto, 2007.
  • Cooper, L. & Cameron D. “International Placements and International Curricula in Canadian Rehabilitation Programs.” University of Toronto, 2006.
  • Caldwell, A. & Cameron, D. “Current Rehabilitation Services and Needs in Trinidad and Tobago.” University of Toronto, 2004.
  • Cunningham, E., Cameron, D., Steir, J., & Vandewater, L. “The Impact of International Fieldwork on Students.” University of Toronto, 2003.
  • Hogg, A., Wiley, B., & Gulati, S. Exploring the use of Tablets (iPads) with Children and Young Adults with Disabilities at Immortelle Children’s Centre and Pre-Vocational Centre.   May 31st, 2012
  • Terrana, A. and Cameron, D. “Key Stakeholder Perspectives on Vocational Options for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Trinidad”

b) Presentations

  • Crump, L., Shepherd, E.L. 2018. Community Based Rehabilitation in Trinidad and Tobago.
  • International Partnerships in Occupational Therapy: Realities of a Globally-Connected Profession.  Friday April 4, 2013. AOTA BaltimoreMaryland. Suarez-Balcazer, Y., Hansen, A., Munoz, J., Stein, F. Ilott, I., Ammeral, M., Njelesani, J., Cameron, D., Hammel, J.
  • Reflecting on International Clinical Education Practices and Guidelines. Ellwood, L. & Cameron, D.  CASLPA Ottawa, May 2014
  • Canadian Conference on Global Health (Ottawa, Oct 28, 2013) Fostering Reflexivity among HIV Clinicians and Students: A Scoping Study. Landy, R., Nixon, S., Robrigado, K., Oliver, B., O’Hearn, S., Cockburn, L., Cameron, D., Cameron, C. Baxter, L.
  • Fostering reflexivity among HIV clinicians and students within clinical training programs: A scoping study.  DLSPH Research and Practice Day November 2013, Toronto. Robrigado, K., Landy, R., Nixon, S., Baxter, L. Cameron, C., Cameron, D., O’Brien, K., O’Hearn, S., Oliver, B.
  • Enabling occupation in low-income countries through prosthetic design: Prosthetists’ perspectives, OSOT conference Sept 2013, Kam, S., Khodaverdian, A., Andrysek, J., Daiter, L., Kent, M. Njelesani, J., Cameron, D.
  • Trentham, B., Stier, J., Cameron, D. Cockburn, L., Fourt, A., Reid, D., Renwick, R., & Sangrar, R. (2013). Building inclusion through curriculum development. Invited panel presentation at the 2013 University of Toronto International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Campaign.Toronto.
  • Feasby, L., Rudachyk, A., Cameron, D., Trentham, B., Eby, S., Stories from Abroad: (accepted Jan 2013). Student occupational therapists navigating international fieldwork barriers. CAOT conference, Victoria, June 2013.
  • Landy, R., Nixon, S., Baxter, L., Cameron, C., Cameron, D., Cockburn, L., O’Brien, K., O’Hearn, S., Oliver, B., Robrigado, K.(accepted Feb 2013) Fostering Reflexivity among HIV clinicians and students: A scoping study.  2nd International HIV Social Sciences and Humanities Conference, Paris, July 2013.
  • Perceptions of persons living with HIV/aids – Cameron, D., Njelesani, J. CAOT 2012
  • Knight, B., Haro, A. Cameron, D., Nixon, S., Hicks, E. & Ahluwalia, P. Exploring the Impact of International Fieldwork on occupational therapy practice.  CAOT Conference, Quebec City, 2012
  • Key Stakeholder Perspectives on Vocational Options for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities in Trinidad.  Lax, I., Vandewater, L., Reyes, A., Han, J., Cameron, D.  
  • 8th Canadian Conference on International Health (Debra Cameron, Ailsa Storck, Lisa Vandewater) “International Student Placements:  A Trinidadian Experience”
  • Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists. (Debra Cameron, Ailsa Storck, Lisa Vandewater) “Fostering the growth of Healthy Communities through International Student Placements”
  • The Clinical Utility of Paediatric Screening Tools: A Trinidadian Example.  Smallman, L., Clifford, D. & Cameron, D. CAOT Conference, St Johns, July 2007.
  • Caldwell, A. & Cameron, D. Childhood rehabilitation in a developing country: Current services and needs. CAOT Conference, Vancouver, 2005. – Podium
  • Cameron, D., Stier, J., Vandewater, L., & Cunningham, E.  “Go for it: Student Experiences of International Fieldwork”. CAOT Conference, Charlottetown, June 2004. – Podium
  •  Vaisberg, S., Sangrar, R., Njelesani, J., & Polatajko, H. Occupation Based Programs for International Development. Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists Conference, Quebec City, QC (June 8, 2012)
  • Sangrar, R., Vaisberg, S., Njelesani, J., & Polatajko, H. Viewing Youth Sport-for-Development Programming in Trinidad & Tobago from an Occupational Perspective. Canadian Society of Occupational Scientists Conference, Edmonton, AB (May 3, 2012)

c) Other

Trinidad Conferences and Education Sessions

  • Caribbean Occupational Therapy Conference
  • Disability Awareness Conference
  • High school career presentations

Other Articles

  • “Adventures in International Fieldwork” article by Deb Cameron, Emily Bednar, and Hilleree Valade.  Occupational Therapy Now, Mar/April 2003.
  • “NGO Profile: Trinidad Working Group” by Deb Cameron. Dispatches: Newsletter of the International Health Division, Canadian Physiotherapy Association, Vol. 2, Issue 3, Summer 2008.
  • “Students in Occupational Therapy Program at the University of Toronto to Continue to Work in Trinidad” by Martin Latchana and Naraindra Prashad
  • “Helping Hand” by Jessica Whiteside  www.news.utoronto.ca/bin2/020325d.asp – 20k
  • “Ontario SLP’s Volunteer at Immortelle Children’s Centre Port of Spain, Trinidad” by Carol Teal
  • Hachey, K,  Goultiaeva, A.,  Mollon, Westernoff, F (2011). Immortelle Children’s Centre – Monthly Tips for Communicating with Your Child. Series of six parent newsletters (January-February; March-April; May-June; July-August; September-October; November-December).

Contact Us

For more information, please contact: Lisa Vandewater.

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