Volunteer groups

The COE identifies, analyzes, and anticipates issues in education, generating education-related policy recommendations to the AOTA Representative Assembly for deliberation. 

The COP promotes the quality of occupational therapy practice and develops practice standards and documents relative to provider and consumer needs.

Note: the COP relates to the Commission on Practice. The acronym CoP (or CoPs) refers to  Communities of Practice, which are activities of the Special Interest Sections. COP and CoP are distinct groups.

The EC develops and enforces the Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics and Ethics Standards.

The CCCPD develops and maintains guidelines and tools that support the ongoing professional development of practitioners, including official documents such as the Standards for Continuing Competence and the Guidelines for Reentry Into the Field of Occupational Therapy.

AOTPAC is a voluntary, nonprofit, unincorporated committee of members of AOTA. Its purpose is to influence the selection, nomination, election, or appointment of any individual to any federal public office; and of any occupational therapist, occupational therapy assistant, or occupational therapy student member of AOTA seeking election to public office at any level. Duties include providing direction for fundraising and candidate approval. Members of the AOTPAC Board are appointed by the AOTA Board of Directors and must reside within one of five designated AOTPAC regions of the U.S.

The ASD provides a mechanism for the expression of student insight, and offers a means whereby students can have effective input into AOTA affairs. The ASD meets multiple times per year.  The Assembly of Student Delegates Steering Committee (ASDSC) is a standing committee of the Board of Directors, serving the ASD membership by synthesizing student perspectives to the Representative Assembly, the Commission on Practice, the Commission on Education, and all other bodies of AOTA as needed.

The BPPC is responsible for maintaining and reviewing Association governance documents and recommending changes to the appropriate body for their consideration. In addition, the committee keeps a record of rulings/interpretations of the Association's governance documents. The Chairperson of the committee is appointed by the AOTA President. There are five additional appointed members to the committee, one of whom is the Secretary of the Association, and one who must be an OTA. 

The work of the DEI Committee encompasses a broad scope of responsibilities, including updating and refining AOTA’s DEI Strategic Plan, guiding and informing the Board of Directors and other governance bodies on issues and opportunities related to DEI, and assessing progress made toward achieving the goals of advancing inclusion and diversity within AOTA and the profession.

Each SIS is led by a Standing Committee, composed of members of that particular SIS. These elected or appointed volunteers help to contribute to publications, specialty and annual conferences and events, and additional activities of the SISs, including Journal Clubs and Practice Chats. 

The VLDC is responsible for promoting member participation and engagement, volunteer leadership development, and volunteer participation initiatives of AOTA. The VLDC identifies and recruits diverse and qualified candidates for elected and appointed positions, and oversees the nomination and selection process for the Association's annual awards and recognitions. The VLDC serves as a resource to members and various leadership groups within AOTA to foster and enhance its professional activities and priorities. The Chairperson of the committee is elected by AOTA members. There are six additional appointed members to the committee, with consideration given to representation in the areas of advocacy, education, practice, professional development, research, leadership, and management. At least one member must be an OTA.

ACOTE consists of 24 members (occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and public members) who represent both academia and practice. ACOTE develops and implements accreditation standards to ensure quality occupational therapy education, thereby supporting the preparation of competent occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants. Members are selected from current volunteers on the Roster of Accreditation Evaluators (RAE). If you’re interested in serving on the RAE, applications are open and volunteers are selected on an annual basis in October. Learn more and apply.

The SISC, informed by each individual SIS and in partnership with AOTA staff, leads the direction for all of the SISs. The SISC is composed of the 9 SIS Chairpersons and is led by the SISC Chairperson.

The purpose of the Association of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders in Occupational Therapy (AAPI-OT), formerly APHOTA, is to create a means for the occupational therapy practitioners who are committed to supporting Asian American and Pacific Islander practitioners and advancing a greater understanding of cultural issues affecting occupational therapy practice. 

The purpose of the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus (NBOTC) is to act as an advocate for Black occupational therapy practitioners and occupational therapy students in order to enhance and promote their contributions to the occupational therapy profession, national and state associations, and the public at large.

The mission of the Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual, among others (LGBTQIA+) Concerns in Occupational Therapy is to support & empower LGBTQIA+ OT practitioners, students, researchers, and educators to care for their communities and shape change in their local contexts.

The Network of Occupational Therapy Practitioners with Disabilities and Supporters (NOTPD) is an independent organization and member of the AOTA recognized Multiculturalism, Diversity & Inclusion Network. The NOTPD advocates for equal access and inclusion of all occupational therapy practitioners, students, and members of the public in AOTA-sponsored events, programs, and services as well as in the occupational therapy profession as a whole.

The Mission and Purpose of Occupational Therapy for Native Americans (OTNA) are to advocate for Native Americans with disabilities so that they can attain the highest quality of life possible through gaining their physical, psychological and spiritual independence.

The OJOTC was formed to provide a forum for Jewish OT practitioners and students to network.

TODOS is a network and a professional community of occupational therapy practitioners and students who have as their mission to support and mentor one another; to support the exploration of careers in occupational therapy by Hispanics/Latinos; and to promote issues of diversity, inclusion, and multiculturalism within the occupational therapy profession.

The Arab American Occupational Therapy Group (AAOTG) is an organization that promotes DEI+ and cultural humility for all occupational therapy community members and groups. It has a mission of representing, including, and supporting occupational therapy members of Arab heritage or Arab descent. Members of AAOTG include students, educators, researchers, allies, and advocates of all racial and ethnic backgrounds.

brOT is a nonprofit advocacy organization that promotes cultural and gender diversity throughout the profession of occupational therapy.

Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) - COTAD is a network of OT practitioners, students, and educators working to make health equity a priority at all levels of healthcare.