AOTA to celebrate World Occupational Therapy Day

North Bethesda, MD—The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), representing 230,000 occupational therapy practitioners, will celebrate World Occupational Therapy Day, a special day marked by The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) the international voice of the occupational therapy profession which globally comprises of 107 national occupational therapy professional organizations.

World Occupational Therapy Day, held annually on October 27, is the opportunity to heighten the visibility of the profession’s development work and to promote the activities of WFOT locally, nationally, and internationally.

Members of the AOTA Board of Directors will convene in Portland, Oregon this year, as part of an ongoing commitment to personally interact with state occupational therapy associations across the country. Educational materials typically only available for members at varying costs will be made available free to the public the week of World OT Day.

AOTA board president Alyson Stover, MOT, JD, OTR/L, BCP said, “World OT Day is not only the celebration of occupational therapy practitioners across the globe, but also celebrating the accomplishments of all our patients we have walked alongside in their journey to healing, health and wellness. It’s an opportunity to share the stories of how occupational therapy changes lives and restores joy in the job of living.”

A special part of the day will include a volunteer event from 2:00-3:00 p.m., at Blanchet House, a social services organization that provides food, shelter, and aid to all in need. The Board, members of AOTA’s DEI committee, AOTA’s Diverse Leaders Program Scholars, Charles Jeffers, interim AOTA executive director, and members of the Occupational Therapy Association of Oregon, will be filling 300 Care Kits with hygiene items they purchased. Care kits show kindness for people trying to survive outdoors without access to laundry or hygiene items. Kits are filled with items like lip balm, wet wipes, deodorant, dental kit, socks, and other fundamental items. The kits are provided to Blanchet House guests at the evening meal program.

In addition to in-person learning, networking, and special presentations, AOTA resources being made available for free during the week of World OT Day include webinars on:

• Occupational Therapy and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Addressing Social Determinants of Health in Occupational Therapy Practice
• Bridges to Social Determinants of Health (SDoH): Renewing our Core Values while Promoting Everyday Living for All.

To interview one of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s experts or board members, contact Jennifer Rignani, AOTA media relations at praota@aota.org or 412-977-5795.

Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 230,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. Occupational therapy practitioners facilitate participation in everyday living for people of all ages. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in North Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, visit www.aota.org.