Alaska Occupational Therapy Association

10/11/2025

📣 Calling all Occupational Therapy Practitioners!

We’ve recently been contacted by several Occupational Therapy students conducting important research — and they’re looking for your input! 💬

At AKOTA, we’re committed to advancing the field of occupational therapy. Your participation in these studies helps support the growth, development, and continued excellence of our profession. Thank you for taking the time to contribute! 🙏

🧠 Current Research Opportunities:

1️⃣ University of Vermont – Functional Vision in Practice
The University of Vermont Occupational Therapy Program is conducting a study to understand OT practitioners’ confidence in performing functional vision assessments and the type and amount of training received through coursework or continuing education.
📍 Participants: Licensed Occupational Therapists
💻 Take the survey here ➡️ https://qualtrics.uvm.edu/jfe/form/SV_4VqfHd03BDnyvfE

2️⃣ Washington University in St. Louis – School-Based OT & Health Conditions
Researcher Talia Ben-Yosef is exploring how school-based OT practitioners use participation measures and support students with chronic health conditions (e.g., asthma, genetic conditions).
🕒 About 15 minutes to complete
🎁 Participants entered to win one of four $25 Visa gift cards
💻 Take the survey here ➡️ https://redcap.wustl.edu/redcap/surveys/?s=4DJLFWMMWNLWERDE
📧 Questions? Contact: ben-yosef@wustl.edu

Your voice matters — thank you for helping move occupational therapy forward! 💪💙

07/11/2025

Today is the LAST DAY to submit WRITTEN COMMENTS about Alaska Regulatory Reforms. Learn more at akota.org events on our home page. The Division of Corporations, Business and Professional Licensing is particularly interested in specific ideas for regulatory change that may:

*clarify existing regulatory obligations;
*reduce costs for the public, industry, or government;
*improve or streamline procedures, application requirements, and review processes, for example reducing the time required to apply for a license, permit, or benefit;
*reduce administrative burdens;
*streamline permitting procedures;
*improving communication procedures;
*provide greater transparency with respect to standards, decision-making, and rationales for application processing; or
*clarify interagency roles.

28/10/2025

Dear Alaskan OTPs,

to further our scope of practice modernization initiatives, we require an OTP based in downtown Anchorage/Inlet View/the neighborhood around West High to assist with a session involving local legislators.

Please reach out to vpres@akota.org.

27/10/2025

🤩🥳Today is WORLD OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY DAY! OTPs across the world are making a difference. Today we volunteer in our local communities and promote the profession to inspire global awareness. Learn more at wfot.org

25/10/2025

Some of you may have received an email from the State Board, requesting input for upcoming State Regulation Reform. We encourage you to participate by providing oral or written comments. Go to akota.org events for more information if you did not receive this email notification. We also have the link to register for public Board Meeting notifications on our website under the Legislative Resources tab.

TEAM meetings for oral comments are on Oct 27, 28, and 29 and require registration. Written comments must be submitted by Nov 7 as directed. More information is available at akota.org under the events section of the home page.

18/10/2025

JOIN US in contacting our Alaska State Representatives to support the Mental Health Parity Act (HR 4037 / S 2847)! Passing this legislation would significantly improve access to occupational therapy services. Follow this link to take action and be an advocate for individuals with mental health diagnoses:

https://votervoice.net/AOTA/Campaigns/128049/Respond

13/10/2025

Day #2 of conference! What a great opportunity to collaborate, learn, and grow our skillsets. Thank you all who attended 🩷

12/10/2025

📣 OT Practitioners — Your Input Is Needed! 🙌

OT students are seeking practitioner insight for IRB-approved research projects. Participation is voluntary, confidential, and helps shape future OT education and practice.

🧠 Burn Education Survey (10–15 min)

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfvA3VHk6uk5oE8mHjpe3PeOYKPeXJs_dKfKExCq0OhsDvayQ/viewform?usp=header

💡 Diagnostic Reasoning & Differential Diagnosis (10–15 min)

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GZ5JMDB

🎓 Sensory Integration Focus Group (60–90 min via Zoom)

https://jwu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0ujTKWhyyc5vxf8

📋 Fieldwork Education Survey (15–20 min)
For Fieldwork Educators: https://astate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6WOxYCY8yvo0WuG

For OT Students: https://astate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cOX1p3yN3TihOQu

Your feedback supports student research and contributes to improved OT training and care practices. Want more info? DM me for study details!

11/10/2025

Conference day #1

11/10/2025

⏰🤩We are getting excited to see you tomorrow! Earn 13 CEUs while deepening your knowledge of sensory processing disorders through a trauma-informed lens. Sheila Frick, OTR/L is our honored host for this year's conference at UAA Gorsuch Commons in Anchorage. Please join us for this amazing opportunity to network and add to your evidence based practice skillset. 🧐🍂🙌

06/10/2025

HUGE SHOUT OUT to our GOLD LEVEL fall conference sponsor! AKOTA relies on the kindness of volunteers, members, and sponsors to host annual conferences in Alaska. We realize many of you have access to online CEUs, but nothing beats seeing you IN PERSON! We look forward to seeing you next Saturday! If you haven't registered yet, please go to akota.org for more information.

05/10/2025

Don't miss your opportunity to network with local Alaska OTPs next Saturday and Sunday! We look forward to seeing you!

Join a 2-day intensive focused on trauma-informed sensory processing interventions and arousal regulation featuring expert Sheila Frick