Dashner, Jessica, OTD, OTR/L

Clinical Interests

Dr. Dashner's areas of interest are improving participation in major life activities by providing supports and environmental modifications, working with disability organizations to build partnerships and improving the usability of buildings to allow individuals with disabilities to become engaged and active members of their communities.

Research Interests

Dr. Dashner's research interests include developing and determining the effectiveness of interventions designed to enable and participation of individuals with mobility and sensory impairments in the community.

Teaching Roles

Dr. Dashner was a lab instructor for the Assistive Technology class for 10 years. She is currently the course master for two semesters of Environmental Factors Facilitating Performance and Participation I & II and co-course master for Health Promotion, Participation and Wellness for Persons with Chronic Disease for students in the Program in Occupational Therapy.

Education

2002: Doctorate of Occupational Therapy (OTD), Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Program in Occupational Therapy
1999: BS in psychology/occupational therapy, McKendree University

Background

For the past 13 years, Dr. Dashner worked as a research associate/project manager in the Disability and Community Participation Research Laboratory with David B. Gray, PhD, at Washington University in St. Louis. She currently manages several research projects, including the Research and Training Center on Community Living (RTC-CL) to examine the influence of training providers and consumers of personal assistance on Health and Community Participation. Other current projects include a PVA Education Fund grant to develop a Self-Management for parents with SCI/D and a project through the National Science Foundation to help individuals with SCI explore opportunities in STEM careers. Dr. Dashner worked with Dr. Gray on developing and administering surveys of participation to individuals with mobility and sensory impairments including the PARTS, FABS, SPARC and CHEC. Additionally, she was Co-PI on a project titled, "Parenting with a Physical Disability: Assessing the Need for Early OT Intervention and Group Support" through the St. Louis Community-University Health Research Partnerships (CUHRP).

Selected Publications

Gray, D. B., Dashner, J. L., Morgan, K. A., Lyles, M., Scheller, M. D., Morris, C. L., Hollingsworth, H. H. (2009). Influence of a consumer-directed personal assistance services program on the lives of persons with mobility impairments. Disability and Health, 2(4): 188-195. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dhjo.2009.05.002

Awards/Honors

2012: Honorary Member Pi Theta Epsilon Honor Society for Occupational Therapy
2003: Marshall of Doctoral Class, Washington University Commencement Ceremony
1997: Pi Gamma Mu Psychology Honor Society, McKendree University
1995: Presidential Scholar, McKendree University