Introduction / Rationale: People with intellectual disabilities rely on Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to engage in meaningful activities. The Occupation-Centered Intervention Assessment (OCIA) assesses to what extent DSP interventions are meaningful and enable participation. However, a direct translation proved inadequate due to untranslatable terminology and contextual differences. A cross-cultural adaptation was necessary to align the OCIA with Flemish day care settings while preserving its occupation-centered foundation.
Objectives: This study aimed to translate and adapt the OCIA for Flemish day care centers, ensuring linguistic, conceptual, and contextual relevance while maintaining its core principles.
Methods/Approach: A systematic cross-cultural adaptation process was followed based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and Beaton et al. (2007). The process included forward and backward translation, expert panel review, identification of untranslatable terminology, and contextual adaptation. Forty DSPs tested the adapted version, providing feedback through structured surveys and semi-structured interviews. The final version was refined based on DSP input to enhance clarity and usability.
Results/Practice Implications: The adapted OCIA proved highly relevant and practical. DSPs valued its structured approach to assessing meaningful activity facilitation. The adapted OCIA was easy to use, even for DSPs without occupational therapy training, making it a valuable tool in day care settings.
Conclusion/Significance to the Occupational Therapy Profession: This study highlights the importance of full cultural adaptation. The adapted OCIA supports DSPs in promoting meaningful activities and occupational justice, serving as a model for future cross-cultural modifications of occupational therapy assessments.