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Date and Time: 3/20/2025 from 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Chairperson(s): Lisa Boyajian and Kylie Brenneman
Location: Zoom - to be sent out day before the event
Title: Advocacy and the OTA
Speaker- Lisa Boyajian, Kylie Brennan
Learning Objectives:
- Participant will identify two benefits of advocating for OTAs
- Participants will identify two ways to advocate for OTAS
- Participants will identify one strategy that can be used in their professional careers to advocate for OTAs
Bio/Focus
Advocating for the role of Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) is crucial in ensuring their professional recognition and the effective delivery of patient care. OTAs play a vital role in supporting occupational therapists, contributing significantly to client rehabilitation and overall care plans. As demand for rehabilitation services increases, the need for OTAs in diverse settings becomes more pronounced (AOTA, 2020). OTAs are essential in improving client outcomes, particularly in mental health and pediatric care (Smith & Johnson, 2021). However, challenges such as limited professional recognition and varying state regulations hinder their potential (Williams, 2019). Advocacy efforts focusing on enhancing education, certification standards, and legislative support for OTAs can address these challenges and help integrate them more fully into healthcare teams. Strengthening the visibility and impact of OTAs can improve not only their professional standing but also the quality and accessibility of occupational therapy services. The group will discuss strategies to employ in our professional work to advocate for OTAs including but limited to professional development, legislation, and public education. Advocating can impact the recognition of OTAs.
**References**
AOTA. (2020). *The role of OT assistants in the changing healthcare environment*. American Journal of Occupational Therapy.
Smith, L., & Johnson, M. (2021). *OTAs in pediatric rehabilitation: Enhancing client outcomes*. Journal of Pediatric Occupational Therapy.
Williams, R. (2019). *Challenges facing occupational therapy assistants: A call for advocacy*. Occupational Therapy Journal.
Registration will close on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.