CAOT- BC

03/30/2026

Attention BC OTs!!

***Apply for a CAOT-BC grant by May 31st!***

Applications are now being accepted for the Research and Education Grant and the Dianna Mah-Jones Memorial Grant for Innovation. Both grants are open to all CAOT-BC members.

The CAOT-BC Research and Education Grant provides up to 3 grants of $500 annually to support CAOT-BC members contribute to the growth of evidence on occupational therapy and occupational science. The grants help pay for conference expenses (e.g. registration fees, travel, accommodation) in order to support CAOT-BC members to present occupational therapy research and/or education at either CAOT Conference or another related conference.

Apply now button linked to- https://caot.ca/survey.html?surveyId=173

The Dianna Mah-Jones Memorial Grant for Innovation is an annual grant that supports CAOT-BC members in participating in continuing education that will enable them to gain skills, knowledge, and competence to deliver innovative direct client care. It has been increased to $750 this year thanks to Dianna’s family’s generous donation. This grant can be used towards registration fees to any course, workshop, conference, or other educational session that is relevant to the applicant’s area of practice.

Apply now button linked to- https://caot.ca/survey.html?surveyId=210

03/28/2026

Donna Drynan, the woman, the legend, the inspiror of so many...on March 26, night the Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy hosted a special celebration in honour of Donna Drynan's retirement.

Attendees were asked to describe The incredible DD in one word: passionate, fiery, creative, fun, caring, inspiring, trail blazing...and so many more. But what stood out above all else was how she dedicated her time supporting so many OT students & OTs to follow their heart, their passions and stretch beyond what they imagined they could do!

I am so grateful for Donna's mentorship & support in my career and to be able to support the future generations of OTs with this incredible UBC OS&OT team!

On behalf of myself and CAOT-BC, we thank you, we congratulate you & wish you all the best for another 40 years of incredible adventure!!👏👏💕💕

🌺🌺 Please share with us below your memories of Donna! 🌺🌺

UBC Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy
Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy

03/24/2026

📢 OT Research Alert!

🧠 Participate in a ground-breaking research study exploring Occupational Therapy practice with children and youth across Canada, being conducted by a national team of researchers! 🧠

👉 You can find the link below for more information and to participate!

⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=8ilxtpHFFki0d9NoaDaTCXx15zmXFJ5MrBQmHPfKurpUQkVXVkpJNFpOUUxPTEk0UlZITlNINlBESC4u

UBC Department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy

03/13/2026

Kudos to the OTBC team for jumping right into BC's important advocacy issues! 💪🏻👏

Occupational Therapy BC has sent a letter to the Ministry of Children and Family Development requesting dialogue regarding the announced replacement of the provincial Autism Funding and School Age Extended Therapies programs.

Paediatric occupational therapists play a critical role in supporting the functioning, development, and participation of children and youth with support needs across British Columbia.

In the letter, OTBC has asked for an opportunity to meet with Ministry representatives to clarify the announced changes and support a coordinated and evidence-informed transition for children, families, and service providers.

We are also beginning to bring together paediatric occupational therapists across the province to review the information available to date and identify key questions and practice considerations.

Our goal is to support:

• clarity for clinicians
• continuity of care for children and families
• evidence-informed and ethical practice during this transition

We will share further updates with the community as information becomes available.

If you are not yet signed up to receive OTBC updates, you can do that here: https://forms.gle/CKnTrJv2Jgjcn5Qz9

03/06/2026

📣 CAOT-BC Member update regarding BC Representation: 📣

In follow-up to the CAOT emails BC members received on January 16th and February 2nd, we are very pleased to share with our members that CAOT senior leadership, CAOT-BC and founding members of OTBC are now actively engaged in consultation and collaboration regarding the future of Occupational Therapy representation in BC.

As expressed in the email communications, CAOT affirmed its committed to ensuring a smooth transition from CAOT’s provincial Chapter model to a single, unified national structure that honours the needs of BC members and maintains our relationship with members through 2026 and into the future.

CAOT-BC is pleased to share that members and new association representatives have been expressing gratitude and optimism around this clear commitment to collaboration united around the shared goal of continuing the vital advocacy and representation work that is so needed at BOTH regional and national levels. All partners agree: It is through collaboration that the profession of OT can advance and make gains.

Both organizations are developing the transition details, including provincial and national service continuity, to provide clarity about the changing roles and how to minimize disruption or confusion for members. Specific timelines and more concrete information will be shared as decisions are finalized.

As this work progresses, CAOT/CAOT-BC encourages OTs in BC to engage directly with the Occupational Therapy BC team as they prepare for their anticipated launch in late summer 2026:
https://lnkd.in/g63yAHMR

Reach out to us any time at caotbc@caot.ca if you have any questions!

03/03/2026

Join the Time Change project! Do your own experiment to measure your sleep before and after the time change and get a personalized reportShare your experiences and thoughts to help research that may inform policies about the practice of time change SIGN UP! Why is time change not just about losing a...

02/26/2026

Our AGM will take place online on Monday, March 16th and you’re invited to attend.

This is a unique opportunity to engage with our CEO and Board Chair to learn more about what we do, ask questions, share your concerns, and give feedback.

Register now to share your voice- https://buff.ly/nytgW4f

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Notre assemblée générale annuelle (AGA) aura lieu en ligne le lundi 16 mars, et vous êtes invités à y participer.

Il s'agit d'une occasion unique de dialoguer avec notre chef de la direction et notre présidente pour en savoir davantage sur ce que nous faisons, poser des questions, nous faire part de vos préoccupations et donner votre rétroaction.

Inscrivez-vous dès maintenant pour que nous puissions entendre ce que vous avez à dire- https://buff.ly/47iWKRK

02/26/2026

CAOT-BC members!
Are you aware that our chapter will be closing at the end of Sept 2026?

CAOT will remsin focused on national advocacy issues, excellence in continuing education, and all the other national services & supports we've benefitted from for many years. This wont change! Our view is that our profession benefits from *both* strong national and regional representation.

In BC, a newly formed independent BC OT Association is now here, being built & planned by a team of experienced leaders and you, the diverse, passionate & skilled BC OT community!

OTBC needs you support & to hear from you as they undertake important planning of structures, governance models, & visioning for how BC's regional representation for our profession will carry us in the future!

Please take the time to sign up, get informed, & get involved if you are able, and spread the word!

https://occupationaltherapybc.ca

02/21/2026

02/21/2026

New on the podcast! 🎧️

Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday healthcare practice – but what does thoughtful, ethical AI use look like in occupational therapy?

Join associate professor and occupational therapist Michael Jensen and our new host Soëla Bandaly to explore how large AI language models are showing up in occupational therapy education and practice, and how OT clinicians can engage with them critically and intentionally.

Listen now: https://buff.ly/d8bTLpz

02/03/2026

OT in the news📰

CAOT’s CEO, Irving Gold, recently published a national editorial in The Hill Times highlighting the urgent need for accessible housing.

Irving emphasizes the need to “Treat universal design as essential for building resilience and preventing health problems, not as a bonus feature” and calls for occupational therapists to be at the design table for all new homes built under the government’s Direct Build program.

We will continue to call on the federal government to consult with the occupational therapy community and commit to making accessibility a core principle of housing.

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L'ergo dans les nouvelles📰

Le chef de la direction de l'ACE, Irving Gold, a récemment publié un éditorial national dans The Hill Times sur le besoin urgent en matière de logements accessibles.

Il souligne la nécessité de « considérer la conception universelle comme un élément essentiel pour renforcer la résilience et prévenir les problèmes de santé, et non comme une simple prime », et demande que les ergothérapeutes soient associés à la conception de tous les nouveaux domiciles construits dans le cadre de l’initiative de construction directe du gouvernement.

Nous continuerons à demander au gouvernement fédéral de consulter la communauté de l’ergothérapie et de s'engager à faire de l'accessibilité un principe fondamental du logement.

12/20/2025

We are now closed for the holidays & return on January 5th.

We wish you & your loved ones a healthy, restful & restorative season.🎄