Author ORCID Identifier

0009-0009-3816-5592

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 2026

Keywords

Occupational therapy, Community participation, universal design, workforce readiness, pre-vocational skills, aquatic wellness

Department

<--Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences-->

Abstract

This capstone project evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and appropriateness of Splash for Success: A Community-Based Aquatic Wellness and Life Skills Program using a retrospective, descriptive implementation framework. Grounded in occupational therapy theory and implementation science, the program was designed to support participation, safety, and pre-vocational skill development for youth within a real-world aquatic environment. A retrospective analysis of program data (N = 7) was conducted using descriptive statistics and narrative summaries to examine participant outcomes and implementation processes. Findings demonstrated high levels of engagement and enjoyment, strong social participation and teamwork, and increased confidence and perceived safety in aquatic settings. Moderate outcomes were observed in first aid knowledge, while lower performance in endurance-based aquatic skills highlighted the importance of program duration for motor skill acquisition. From an implementation perspective, the program was feasible, with consistent delivery and retention; acceptable, as reflected in positive participant experiences; and appropriate, based on alignment with participant needs and community context. These findings can support the viability of community-based, occupation-centered interventions that integrate environmental supports, task adaptation, and meaningful activity. This project contributes to the growing evidence base for occupational therapy in community settings and highlights the value of implementation-focused evaluation in supporting program sustainability and scalability.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

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