Multicultural Networking Groups
Multicultural Networking Groups
The Networking Groups are independent groups and are not officially affiliated with AOTA.
Association of Asian/Pacific Occupational Therapists in America (AAPOTA)
Black Occupational Therapy Caucus (BOTC)
Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns in Occupational Therapy (The Network)
Network of Native American Practitioners (NNAP)
Network of Occupational Therapy Practitioners with Disabilities and Their Supporters
Orthodox Jewish Occupational Therapy Chavrusa
TODOS Network of Hispanic Practitioners
Association of Asian/Pacific Occupational Therapists in America (AAPOTA)
Contact: Meena Iyer, PhD, OTR/L, President; miyer@asain-pacificot.org
Jyothi Gupta, PhD, OTR/L, Vice President; jgupta@stkate.edu
The mission of AAPOTA is to advance a greater understanding of Asian-Pacific cultural issues affecting occupational therapy practice and to support career opportunities and advancements in occupational therapy by people of Asian-Pacific heritage.
The purpose of the organization shall be:
- Serve as a liaison between occupational therapy practitioners with concerns about Asian/Pacific cultural issues affecting occupational therapy practice and the American Occupational Therapy Association
- Promote scholarly activities and research on Asian/Pacific cultural issues affecting occupational therapy practice
- Identify and work to achieve common goals and needs
- Promote and support learning and scholarship
- Support occupational therapy practitioners immigrating from Asian/Pacific countries with transition and integration into the North American occupational therapy practice
- Promote occupational therapy education and scholarly exchange among Asian/Pacific countries and North America
More information on AAPOTA can be found at http://www.asian-pacificot.org/ or write to AAPOTA, P.O. Box 450, Palos Heights, IL 60463.
Black Occupational Therapy Caucus (BOTC)
Contact: William Dease - President, wdease@nbotc.org
Tara Alexander OT/L, CPC - Vice President, talexander@nbotc.org
Web site: http://www.nbotc.org
The mission of the BOTC is to identify, share, and attempt to resolve issues that are germane to African-American occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants and occupational therapy students and to enhance participation in professional associations.
The objectives of the BOTC are to
- increase communication among African-American therapists, assistants, and students;
- increase student recruitment, retention and certification;
- promote equal opportunity in employment and education; and
- encourage professional association participation and leadership.
Network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Concerns in Occupational Therapy (The Network)
Contact: Kay Blose, co-chair, kblose55@hotmail.com
Web site: http://www.diverseot.org
The mission of the Network is to create the means for members of the occupational therapy professional community who are committed to advancing the understanding of sexual orientation issues to identify, support, and mentor one another and to promote research in occupational therapy.
Network of Native American Practitioners (NNAP)
Contact: LaVonne Fox: lafox@medicine.nodak.edu
The mission: The Network for Native American Practitioners (NNAP) serves to increase resources for occupational therapists currently working with, or interested in working with, Native Americans. The NNAP promotes the recruitment and retention of Native Americans into the field of occupational therapy and the development of materials to educate the profession and the AOTA membership about Native American issues.
Network of Occupational Therapy Practitioners with Disabilities and Their Supporters
Contact: Sandy Hanebrink, OTR/L, Chair, wheeldogs@charter.net
The mission: 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 NOTPD serves as a voice for its members on disability issues and is a resource on disability culture, legislation and advocacy. The NOTPD's ultimate goal is to make AOTA and the occupational therapy profession the world leaders in respecting and promoting equal access and inclusion of all people.
Orthodox Jewish Occupational Therapy Chavrusa
Contact: Peggy L. Gurock, OTR, ojotc@hotmail.com
The mission: The goals of the OJOTC are:
- To provide a forum for personal and professional networking for Jewish Occupational Therapists and OT Students
- To work with our professional organizations to help them meet the religious needs of our members when it comes to arranging and scheduling conferences, seminars and other opportunities for professional growth
- To provide a forum for our members and other occupational therapists to discuss issues relating to practice of our profession and our religion
- To assist our members in dealing with conflicts that arise in the areas of Shabbat and Kashrut and similar religious matters.
Web site: http://www.ojotc.org/
Terapia Ocupacional para Diversidad, Oportunidad y Solidaridad (TODOS) Network of Hispanic Practitioners
Contacts:
Jaime Muñoz, Co-Chair, munoz@duq.edu
Dauphine Sisk, Co-Chair, dauphineot@aol.com
Jacqueline Thrash, Co-Chair, pinkie@pinkiemae.com
Web site: http://todos.freehosting.net/
The mission: 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 purpose of TODOS is to:
- Provide a consistent voice to the AOTA, state, and local professional organizations regarding the needs and concerns of Hispanics/Latino practitioners, students, and consumers
- Support and mentor one another, and promote Hispanics/Latino representation and leadership in local, state, and national decision-making bodies
- Promote the exploration of careers in occupational therapy by Hispanics/Latinos
- Support Hispanics/Latino practitioners who immigrate from other countries, through the process of adjustment and transition into the occupational therapy profession in the U.S.A.
