We are thrilled to share the success of the first-ever AOTF Engage Summit, held on October 10-11, 2024, in Alexandria, Va. This groundbreaking event brought together passionate occupational therapy researchers and community partners to elevate and build capacity in community-engaged OT research.

Event Highlights:

• Engaging Panels and Discussions- Attendees participated in three dynamic panels, fostering small-group discussions on:
• Understanding The Spectrum of Community Engagement: From Conceptualization Through Dissemination 
• Building An Infrastructure to Support Community-Engaged Research 
• Measuring And Documenting the Process and Outcomes of Engagement
• Partnership Showcases and Poster Viewings: Breakout sessions featured successful teams sharing their experiences, while two poster viewings provided ample opportunities for conversation and connection.
• Keynote Speakers:
  • Karriem Watson, DHSc, MS, MPH, Chief Engagement Officer, NIH All of Us Research Program, discussed the National Institutes of Health (NIH) program's potential for occupational therapy and addressing disability health disparities.
  • Angel Love Miles, PhD: Presented the benefits of community participatory research in occupational therapy.
• The event showcased the depth and breadth of high-quality community-engaged research within occupational therapy. It also identified and evaluated systematic approaches to community engagement, including evaluation, measurement, outcomes, and dissemination. It also built capacity among individuals with lived experience to actively engage in OT-informed community-engaged research as full and equal partners.

Commitment to DEI: All panels and sessions intentionally integrated diversity, equity, and inclusion, addressing the engagement of underrepresented and minoritized communities.

Future Planning: The summit concluded with a World Café moderated with the help of representatives from local and federal agencies with plans to create a white paper and an Occupational Therapy Journal of Research (OTJR)  manuscript to synthesize discussions across world café questions, ensuring the momentum continues.

Thank you to all who attended and contributed to this summit's success. We look forward to continuing this journey together, advancing occupational therapy research that makes a difference in people's lives and communities.

Watch the recap video here ▶

At the American Occupational Therapy Foundation (AOTF), we believe in the importance of recognizing and celebrating occupational therapists' incredible contributions. As we approach World Occupational Therapy Day on October 27th, we are excited to share two special initiatives designed to honor and support the OT community.

40-Days Open Access OTJR Articles

In celebration of this year’s World OT Day theme, "Occupational Therapy for All," we’re excited to share open access to a selection of insightful OTJR: Occupational Therapy Journal of Research articles curated by our editorial team. These articles are an excellent resource for staying informed and inspired by the ongoing developments in our profession.

Free Banners for World OT Day

To help raise awareness and celebrate this particular day, we offer a set of designed banners for free download. These banners, inspired by the designs shared by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, are perfect for sharing on your social media platforms. By using these banners, you can join us in spreading the word about the vital work of occupational therapists.

📥 Download your free banners here: Facebook, LinkedIn

Join Us in Celebrating World OT Day

We invite you to join us in celebrating and supporting the vital work of occupational therapists worldwide. By downloading and sharing our banners and by reading and sharing the OTJR articles, you can help us raise awareness and appreciation for the OT community.

Let’s come together to recognize the incredible contributions of occupational therapists and celebrate World OT Day with pride and enthusiasm!

AOTF’s Scientific Advisory Council is seeking volunteers to share their insights about the research gaps, needs, and opportunities within the profession.

Eligibility:
Occupational therapy practitioners (including clinicians, educators, and researchers) with at least 1 year experience are invited participate in this study.

Participation in this study includes: 

• A brief demographic survey
• A 1-hour focus group (in-person or online)

If you are interested in contributing to this research:

Downloadable PDF

QUESTIONS? Contact Susan Magasi, AOTF Scientific Advisory Council Chair, at smagas1@uic.edu
A research team led by Dr. Susan Magasi, Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Illinois Chicago and AOTF Scientific Advisory Council Chair, is conducting this study. UIC Study ID: STUDY2024-0300