Karen M. Dishman

• OTD, 2018, Eastern Kentucky University
• MS, Occupational Therapy, 2016, Eastern Kentucky University
• BS, Occupational Therapy, 1999, University of Southern Indiana

• National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists (NBCOT), 1999- present
• Occupational Therapy License, Florida, 2021- present
• Certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) through The Rehabilitation, Engineering, and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA), 2013- present
• Certified in Mental Health First Aid, 5/8/2023- 5/8/2026, National Council for Mental Wellbeing
• Certified in Emotional CPR, 4/17/2025, National Empowerment Center
• Trained in Safety Zone, 2024, Safety Zone Project
• CPR Certified, 4/2025

Dr. Dishman's professional background includes 18 years of experience with children 3-22 in the school setting, as well as some outpatient pediatrics experience. This gave her ample experience in patients with cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, muscular dystrophy, orthopedic conditions, autism, learning disabilities, and many other conditions. Dr. Dishman also has 5 years of skilled nursing experience with an emphasis on patients with CVA, joint replacement, Parkinson’s disease, and dementia. Dr. Dishman also served as the assistive technology coordinator for 3 years in the school setting with extensive experience in many categories of assistive technology such as blind/low vision, hearing impairments, cognitive impairments, learning disabilities, and physical disabilities.

Pediatric Occupational Therapist, 08/2024 to 05/2025
Children’s Therapy Associates

Assistive Technology Coordinator, 09/2015 to 09/2018
Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation

Pediatric Occupational Therapist, 08/2002 to 09/2015
Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation

Occupational Therapist, 4/2003-12/2005, 3/2009-5/2012
Kindred Healthcare at Angel River Health & Rehabilitation, Evansville, IN

Pediatric Occupational Therapist, 06/2000 to 06/2002
LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, Memphis, TN

Occupational Therapist, 7/1999 to 6/2000
Paragon Rehabilitation at Owen Valley Healthcare, Spencer, IN

American Occupational Therapy Association

Florida Occupational Therapy Association

Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America

Dishman, K., Carson, B., Bell, J., Hardman, L., & Fulton, O. (2025). Assistive technology in current occupational therapy practice. Assistive Technology Journal, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2025.2555238

Dishman, K., Carson, B., & Bender, J. (2024). Health settings: School and special Education. In W. R. Vanwye & D.
Lunsford (Eds.), Health system management and leadership (pp. 298-310). Elseiver.

Dishman, K. M., Duckart, J., & Hardman, L. J. (2021). Perceptions of assistive technology education from occupational therapists certified as Assistive Technology Professionals. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75, 7502205110. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.041541

Dishman, K, Mason, J., & Arvin, M. K. (February 2020).  Service-Learning:  Perspectives of Assistive Technology for Participation in Unified Games. Abstract/Proceedings at Celebration of Teaching and Learning Symposium, Evansville, IN.

Dishman, K., & Mason, J. (January 2020). Motor Skills Participation Through Assistive Technology Innovation. Abstract/Proceedings at Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference, Orlando, FL         

Mason, J., Dishman, K., & Arvin, M. K. (May 2019). Service-Learning: USI OT/OTA Toy Accessibility Project. Abstract/Proceedings at EKU Pedagogicon Conference, Richmond, KY

Mason, J., Dishman, K., & Arvin, M. K. (February 2019). USI OT/OTA Toy Accessibility Project.
Abstract/Proceedings at USI Teaching and Learning Symposium, Evansville, IN

Dr. Dishman’s research agenda focuses on assistive technology education in occupational therapy curricula and oneducational outcomes for students in the classroom related to teaching strategies, including interprofessional education and community-based projects.

• January 5, 2025, FOTA Annual Conference: The Impact of Scuba Diving on the Perceived Quality of Life, Stress, Pain, Sleep, and Occupational Engagement of Individuals with Disabilities (Student Poster presentation)
• January 4, 2025, FOTA Annual Conference: Assistive Technology Program for Occupational Therapy Postgraduates (Student Poster presentation)
• October 23, 2024, 2024 Closing the Gap Conference: Perceptions of Occupational Therapy Practitioners on Assistive Technology Education (1-hour presentation)
• March 22, 2024, American Occupational Therapy Association Inspire Conference 2024: Perceptions of Occupational Therapy and Occupational Therapy Assistant Practitioners on Assistive Technology Education (Poster presentation)
• March 22, 2024, American Occupational Therapy Association Inspire Conference 2024: State Assistive Technology Programs: Exploring Best Practices (Poster presentation)
• March 21, 2024, American Occupational Therapy Association Inspire Conference 2024: Assistive Technology Makers: Occupational Therapy and Engineering Make a Great Team (Technology Session)
• January 26, 2024, Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference 2024: Assistive Technology for Instrumental Activities of Daily Life in Traumatic Brain Injury (Poster presentation)
• September 18, 2023, Virtual Nexus Summit 2023: Changing the Tone: An Interprofessional Student Experience in Management of Patients with Spasticity (Poster presentation)
• May 22, 2021,  Indiana Occupational Therapy Association Spring Conference Oral Presentation Speaker: Executive Functions: You Need Those!
• April 21, 2021,  Research, Evidence-Based Practice, and Performance Improvement in Healthcare Webinar Speaker: Dental Hygiene and Occupational Therapy: Working Together to Improve Oral Care
• February 25, 2021,  5th Celebration of Teaching & Learning Symposium- University of Southern Indiana Speaker: Dental Hygiene and Occupational Therapy: Working Together to Improve Oral Care
• October 14, 2020,  American Occupational Therapy Association 2020 Education Summit Conference Speaker: Motor Skills Participation Through Assistive Technology Innovation

Leadership Service

• January 2024- present, Co-Chair, Mental Health SIS (Florida Occupational Therapy Association); responsibilities include sharing information, research findings, resources, and best practices with FOTA SIS members. 

• December 2023- present, RESNA K-12 Special Interest Group Chairperson (Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America); responsibilities include sharing information, research findings, resources, and best practices with RESNA members and other professionals who share similar interests 

• May 2022- present, RESNA Professional Standards Board (Rehabilitation and Engineering Society of North America); responsibilities include the development of the assistive technology professional certification exam, Professional Standards Handbook, and subcommittees for further development of education and training requirements for recertification.

University Service

• 2025—present  Graduate Council Member, Gannon University
• 2024—present  Assistive Technology Club Advisor, Gannon University
• 2024—present  Student Assistive Technology Club Advisor, Gannon University
• 2024—present  Academic Affairs Committee Member, Gannon University
• 2023—2024   Occupational Therapy White Coat Ceremony Faculty Advisor, Gannon University
• 2023—present  Student Occupational Therapy Association (SOTA) Faculty Advisor, Gannon University
• 2022—present   CETL Steering Committee Member, Gannon University
• 2022—present  Social Media Committee Member, Gannon University Committee
• 2021—present   Academic Community Engagement Committee Member, Gannon University Committee
• 2020 – 2021   USI Institutional Review Board Member, University Committee
• 2018 – 2021   USI Simulation Committee, College of Nursing and Health Professions
• 2018 – 2021   USI Student Affairs and Inclusion Committee, College of Nursing and Health Professions