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MAKING A DIFFERENCE … Montpelier native Alyssa Stoy will be graduating with her occupational therapy doctorate this spring. She has dedicated her final year of schooling to developing an accessibility guide aimed at making travel in Toledo more inclusive.
By: Brenna White
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Alyssa Stoy’s path to occupational therapy did not begin in a classroom, but with local hands-on experience that reshaped her career path.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology, Montpelier native Stoy spent three years working at a local autism center in Bryan, Ohio. During that time, she was introduced to occupational therapy in a way that would define her future.
The COVID-19 pandemic left her intended psychology master’s program disbanded, prompting Stoy to reevaluate her path. She was particularly drawn to the work of occupational therapists who came from the hospital to assist children at the autism center.
“This was like a blessing in disguise. I wasn’t meant to go to school for this. I changed my career and worked on taking more classes to get into the occupational therapy program,” she explained.
Now in her third and final year of the occupational therapy doctorate (OTD) program at the University of Toledo, Stoy is preparing to graduate in May. In the meantime, she is focusing on completing a capstone project focused on accessibility in travel.
Her work centers on a partnership with Destination Toledo, where she is developing an accessibility guide designed to help individuals better navigate the city based on their specific needs. “Accessibility is very important for the people we serve,” she stated.
That population, Stoy explained, includes individuals with disabilities, senior citizens, and anyone who may require additional accommodations while traveling. “We’re building up this accessibility guide, more for travelers, but it still benefits people that live there the same,” she said.
The idea for the project came after connecting with Destination Toledo, where creating an accessibility guide had long been a goal but lacked someone to lead the effort.
The guide will be available online through Destination Toledo’s website once completed. It will provide a detailed breakdown of accessibility features across key locations in the city.
Rather than focusing on a single aspect of accessibility, the project takes a broader approach, organizing information into categories including mobility, visual, hearing and communication, and cognitive and sensory needs.
Throughout the process, Stoy said she has been welcomed openly by the Destination Toledo team, allowing her to build connections while gaining valuable experience in community-focused work. Although the project is being completed within the limited timeframe of her doctoral program, Stoy hopes it will continue to grow beyond her involvement.
As she prepares to graduate in the spring, Stoy plans to pursue occupational therapy opportunities closer to home in Montpelier, Ohio. Continuing to advocate for accessibility and inclusion remains one of her highest priorities.
Her work, she hopes, will contribute to a future where access is not a barrier, but rather a standard that will allow more people to experience travel and community spaces with confidence and independence.
