It’s been a long time coming, but the day has finally arrived! After years of referring individuals to satellite locations for Occupational Therapy (OT), Aspire of WNY is thrilled to begin a new chapter of offering on-site OT services at our 7 Community Drive and Audubon locations.
The idea grew from a simple but important realization: while individuals supported by the agency could access Physical and Speech Therapy on-site, they had to travel elsewhere for OT.
So the question was raised—why not bring OT directly to the places where individuals are already receiving support? With that vision in mind, Aspire of WNY set out to make it a reality. In just the first few weeks of opening the new OT clinic, seven individuals have already been evaluated, with four more evaluations scheduled. The team’s first priority is working through a long referral list of individuals who may benefit from OT services.
“Getting the program up and running at these sites has been a meaningful challenge,” said Elizabeth Foglia, Director of Therapeutic Services at Aspire of WNY. “But we saw the need and knew we had to take this on.” Bringing OT services back to these locations required coordination, persistence, and a clear vision to ensure everything was in place for success.
“Our goal is to help people enhance their daily living skills, become more independent, and ultimately improve their quality of life,” Elizabeth shared.
The agency’s new OT program covers a wide range of services—from fine motor skill development and cognitive training to sensory integration, adaptive equipment use, and support with self-care. But it’s more than therapy. It’s about giving people the tools and confidence to navigate their world more freely and fully.
Because that’s what OT is really about. Yes, it’s about coordination, focus, and functional skills. But at its core, it’s about helping someone zip their jacket, brush their teeth, or move through their day with confidence. That’s where the real magic happens.
The beauty of the agency’s OT program lies in its seamless integration with other services. Here, physical therapy, speech therapy, and OT aren’t separate entities, but work together as a cohesive system that’s tailored to meet each person’s individualized needs.
After months of preparation and determination, the team is already seeing the difference in real time. “The most rewarding part of this whole process has been seeing the impact on the lives of the individuals we support. Helping someone achieve greater independence and a better quality of life—that’s why we do what we do.”