AOTA Older Driver Safety Awareness Week Wins “Nobel Prize for Associations”
By Stephanie Yamkovenko
In a society where driving equals independence and an aging population is undergoing physical and cognitive changes that affect driving, having conversations about older driver safety is essential. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) recognized the importance of this topic and developed AOTA Older Driver Safety Awareness Week—in its third year—to raise awareness about the issue.
AOTA Older Driver Safety Awareness Week was awarded a 2011 Power of A Summit Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), which they call the “Nobel prize” for associations as it is ASAE’s highest recognition. The Summit Award exemplifies “the best efforts of associations committed to making a meaningful contribution to society.”
AOTA Executive Director Fred Somers accepted the award at an awards dinner in October at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. AOTA was one of six organizations to receive the summit award out of nearly 100 submissions.
“[The summit awards] illustrate in a substantive, tangible way the dedication of association professionals and association members across the country and around the world who strive to help others and build a stronger America and a better world,” says John H. Ganoe, CAE, Association Management Group, Inc., chair of The Power of A Awards Judging Committee.
AOTA is preparing for its third AOTA Older Driver Safety Awareness Week on December 5 to 9, 2011.
“It’s an honor to receive this prestigious recognition for our AOTA Older Driver Safety Awareness Week,” says Somers. “Occupational therapy practitioners play an important role in helping older adults maintain safe community mobility, which is central to their continued independence and quality of life. We hope that this award will heighten awareness about this issue and further the dialogue about the importance of mobility options—a critical discussion as more people seek to age in place in their homes and communities.”
2011 ASAE Summit Award Winner from AOTA on Vimeo.
Stephanie Yamkovenko is AOTA’s staff writer.
