2. AOTA’S CENTENNIAL VISION
Shaping the Future of
Occupational Therapy

3. Some of the slides for this presentation were developed by both Carolyn Baum and Charles Christiansen and are used with permission

4. Planning for 2017: The Long and Winding Road*
2003
Board Approves
Plan
2004
Scenarios
Developed
2005
Extensive
National
Dialogue
2006
Strategic
Directions Retreat
2006
Planning &
Communication
Strategic
Implementation
*Credit: The Beatles, 1970

5. Our Goals for the Centennial Visioning Process
To articulate a shared vision of the occupational therapy profession
To set strategic directions that will guide the work of the association and its members
To deepen our personal resolve to shape our common future

6. Centennial Vision Statement
“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.”

7. Charles Christiansen AOTA Vice President 2003-2006
“There are no facts about the future, only possibilities. These possibilities arise from our knowledge of trends, from our experiences, and from our imagination about how the world could be. Our vision of these possibilities helps us create the future we want.”
Charles Christiansen
AOTA Vice President

8. Eight Broad Imperatives for OT
We must expand collaboration to achieve success
We must have the power to influence
Membership in AOTA must be seen as a professional responsibility
We must have a well-prepared, diverse workforce

9. Eight Broad Imperatives for OT
OT must have a clear, compelling public image
We must deliver services that create customer demand
Our decisions in practice, education, and research must be based on evidence
We must embrace science-fostered innovation in occupational therapy practice

10. Strategic Directions
Building the capacity to fulfill the profession’s potential and mission
Ensuring an adequate and diverse workforce for multiple roles
Preparing OTs and OTAs for the 21st century
Increasing research capacity and productivity
Strengthening our capacity to influence and lead

11. Strategic Directions -Meeting societal needs for health and
Demonstrating and articulating our value to individuals, organizations, and communities
-Meeting societal needs for health and
well-being
-People understanding who we are and what
we do
Building an inclusive community of members
Linking education, research, and practice

12. “Those who founded our profession had a vision: that occupational therapy would study and use occupation as it influences health and would educate people about its value. Many, many advances are making our founders’ vision a reality. As we get closer to the actual Centennial celebration, it is a time for occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants to seize the opportunities of those changes in the health care system that place value on health and participation. We must use our knowledge and skills to be very visible with our contributions, which improve the quality of the lives of those we serve.” Carolyn Baum, President,

13. Broad Areas of Practice to Organize Our Work

14. Productive Aging

15. Rehabilitation, Disability, and Participation

16. Children and Youth (Pediatrics)

17. Work and Industry

18. Health and Wellness

19. Mental Health

20. Today’s Emerging Areas of Occupational Therapy Practice
Ergonomics consulting
Design and accessibility consulting and home modification
Older driver assessment and training
Consulting to assisted-living facilities
Technology and assistive-device development and consulting
There are a number of newly emerging areas of practice for occupational therapy which dovetail with the needs of an aging population, and will result in increased demand for services. These include low vision rehabilitation, treatment of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia and caregiver training, older driver safety/rehabilitation, assisted living, and home safety/home modification to enable “aging in place.” Increasingly, some payors are viewing these areas as an appropriate investment in preventing or delaying onset of age-related functional decline and disability. For example, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has clarified Medicare policy to enable beneficiaries with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia to receive occupational therapy services when medically necessary. Similarly, CMS has clarified the availability of occupational therapy services for beneficiaries with vision impairments.

21. Today’s Emerging Areas of Occupational Therapy Practice
Health and wellness consulting
Low-vision rehabilitation
Addressing Alzheimer's disease and caregiver training
Addressing the needs of children and youth
Community services

22. Are We Ready?
Do we have the right knowledge and skills for new initiatives?
Do we need advanced practice in areas that support participation?
Are practitioners in the right places where they will produce results?
Have we maximized the opportunities for both OTs and OTAs?
AOTA’s president, Carolyn Baum, has posed these as critical questions we must address as we think about the future and undertake thoughtful planning:
Do we have the right knowledge and skills for new initiatives?
Do we need advanced practice in areas that support participation?
Are practitioners in the right places where they will produce results?
Have we maximized the opportunities for both OTs and OTAs?

23. We Need To… Move forward knowing that society has needs we can meet
Seek knowledge to enhance our skills for new markets
Not let other professionals make claims of our knowledge and services
Form collaborations through professional organizations

24. We Need To…
Make our contributions visible through volunteer work in our communities
Advocate for those who have needs where our knowledge can address issues or remove barriers
Seek mentors and mentor others to support both your and their continued growth

25. We Need To…
Promote greater public understanding of occupational therapy
Heighten the importance of occupational therapy with public and private sector policymakers
Recruit students to the profession
From Baum Presidential Address, 2004

26. We Need To…
Promote the application of evidence-based knowledge in practice
Support practitioners in existing and emerging practice settings with continuing education
Advocate for training and research funds
Support the development of knowledge to advance the profession
From Baum Presidential Address, 2004

27. Priorities as We Begin Our Journey
Build a cutting-edge research agenda for the profession
Develop a model curriculum for OT and OTA educational programs to raise the bar of excellence and to foster greater consistency across curriculum

28. Priorities as We Begin Our Journey
Assure that OT language is compatible with terminology used in public policy, reimbursement, and research arenas (e.g., alignment with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and with National Library of Medicine MESH headings)

29. Priorities as We Begin Our Journey
Develop a major image-building campaign to more effectively explain OT to the public
Develop a universal, computerized outcomes data set

30. Priorities as We Begin Our Journey
Engage in broad-based advocacy to ensure funding for OT in traditional and emerging areas
Facilitate stronger linkages between research, education, and practice to enable effective communication

31. "Our Centennial Vision creates the opportunity for the occupational therapy profession to enter its golden age. I love the boldness of the vision, the fact that it emerged from a real partnership of stakeholders, and that it will fortify the profession for the future world we are likely to encounter. Now we must embrace the vision, each in our own way, so that its realization preserves and embodies what is most important to each one of us."
Florence Clark
AOTA Vice President,