Life Science Encyclopedia

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the national professional association established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services. Current AOTA membership is approximately 36,000, including occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy students. Members reside in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and internationally.

Mission Statement

The American Occupational Therapy Association advances the quality, availability, use, and support of occupational therapy through standard-setting, advocacy, education, and research on behalf of its members and the public.

Vision Statement

AOTA advances occupational therapy as the preeminent profession in promoting the health, productivity, and quality of life of individuals and society through the therapeutic application of occupation.

Core Document

AOTA Core Documents include the AOTA Bylaws, Standards of Practice for Occupational Therapy and AOTA's Strategic Goals and Objectives.

Key Initiatives

Among AOTA’s key initiatives for 2006–2009 are:

• developing a major image-building campaign to more effectively explain occupational therapy to a variety of audiences;
• engaging in broad-based advocacy to ensure funding for occupational therapy in traditional and emerging practice areas;
• making stronger linkages among occupational therapy research, education, and practice to enable effective communication within and about the profession;
• building a cutting-edge research agenda for the profession;
• developing a model curriculum for occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant educational programs to ensure consistency in how practitioners are prepared for the 21st century workforce; and,
• developing occupational therapy outcome measures to meet the growing demands of consumers, payors, and policymakers for demonstrating the value of occupational therapy.

Centennial Vision

"We envision that occupational therapy is a powerful, widely recognized, science-driven, and evidence-based profession with a globally connected and diverse workforce meeting society's occupational needs."

References

American Journal of Occupational Therapy
OT Practice Magazine
OT Job Link