ABOUT US

Mission
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.

Purpose
  • Building a bridge of understanding from the LGBTQIA+ community within the OT profession to the American Occupational Therapy Association's (AOTA) membership at large.
  • Supporting and mentoring one another including but not limited to communication and connection with the community at large, opportunities for research and training in LGBTQIA issues, and serving as a liaison for state organizations and academic programs. 
  • Educating the AOTA membership concerning sexual orientation, transgender, intersex, and gender and sexual identity/expression and its implications for providing occupational therapy services.
  • Educating the AOTA membership concerning sexual orientation, transgender, intersex, and gender and sexual identity/expression and their rights within their work environment and opportunities for advocacy. 

History
The Network began in 1992 at the Houston AOTA conference, when a small group of occupational  therapists met to discuss related concerns. Subsequently, regional groups were  organized, and the Network membership grew rapidly. There were 60 people at the  1st annual Network meeting in Seattle in 1993, where officers were elected and  by-laws formed. The following year at the CAN/AM conference in Boston, there  were 120 members in attendance, with a large and continuing group of members  from Canada. We have held membership meetings at AOTA conference every year  since! We now  have a steady membership of about 350, with members from four foreign  countries.

Connect with us!!

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Have feedback, advice, or something you'd like to see on the website?
Email us  at 
lgbtqia.ot.network@gmail.com.
​--------------------------------------------- We are always open to new thoughts and ideas!
 Contact us: lgbtqia.ot.network@gmail.com | the network is a  professional diversity group | AOTA