A driving force in the field of occupational therapy
By Laura Pohl, Contributing Writer
Luther King, Associate Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy (OT), has developed a niche in his field that is impacting the lives of people who need critical independent living skills. A 2016 alum of Governors State University’s (GovState) Doctor of Occupational Therapy program, King has received tenure after four years of teaching, research, and service.
Over his 17-year career, King has focused on improving access to driver rehabilitation, a service area often not available to adults who want to restore their community mobility. There are not many practitioners in the Chicago Southland or across the country who provide driver rehab services.
“Driver rehabilitation allows us to enhance or maintain someone's community mobility,” King said. “This has significant implications for getting to important places to do important things with important people.” Research indicates that limitations in community mobility can affect quality of life due to isolation, he added.
The evolution of vehicle technology also ties into driver rehabilitation. “The vehicle technology that is available and evolving has the potential to offset signs and symptoms of medical conditions that may limit someone's ability to drive a motor vehicle,” King explained.
King is working to help develop a community-based driver rehabilitation program affiliated with GovState. The goal is to enhance mobility for medically at-risk drivers in the South Chicagoland area and beyond.
“Our program will not only serve our community but also provide students with exposure and education to driver rehabilitation,” King said. “This will set our students apart from peer institutions and prepare them to address community mobility issues.”
On campus, he is the faculty advisor for the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD). This student-led group focuses on educating and promoting the value of diversity in occupational therapy.
He has been teaching at his alma mater since 2020, and was previously a Clinical Assistant Professor at the University of Florida. He holds memberships in the American Occupational Therapy Association and Illinois Occupational Therapy Association.
GovState Newsroom: How does The Driver Rehabilitation Program fit into the practice of Occupational Therapy?
King: Occupational therapists focus on enabling people to do what they want and need to do in their everyday lives from getting dressed to driving a vehicle. The Driver Rehabilitation Program’s client base includes individuals with physical disabilities, injuries or surgeries resulting in loss of limbs, strokes and traumatic brain injuries, neurodegenerative disorders, aging older adults, and teens with atypical neurodevelopment.
GovState Newsroom: What motivated you to pursue your field of study?
King: As a first-generation college student, I was unsure about what I wanted to do and I changed my major a few times. As I approached my fourth year, I knew I had to figure something out. I remember thinking to myself, "What are you passionate about?” The thing that came to mind was that I wanted to help people. The university I was attending had a course catalog and I saw occupational therapy listed. Not knowing what OT was, I did some research. I was sold on the fact that I could help people in various and creative ways.
GovState Newsroom: What motivates you as a faculty member?
King: What motivates me is the success of our students and the positive impacts they can have on people, populations, and communities. Our students come from diverse backgrounds so their success in our program prepares them to help others, but it also helps them support themselves and their families.
GovState Newsroom: What is your favorite book? Television show?
King: Currently my favorite book is “The Alchemist,” the story of a boy on a journey to find what he is meant to do in life. On television, it’s basketball season—I’m a Bulls fan and I enjoy basketball at all levels. Also, my son earned a scholarship for basketball at a junior college in Chicago (Kennedy King College) and I'm definitely excited about that.
GovState Newsroom: What do you love most about GovState?
King: I feel like I belong—I get this sense from the administration, my colleagues and my students. It's the care, the support, and the opportunity for growth that leads to a sense of belonging that I love.