Advocacy Week on www.brentbraveman.com

Today’s blog is about a critical role for the next Vice-President of AOTA; in fact it is a critical role for every occupational therapy practitioner and student.
 
BEING AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ADVOCATE!
 
For 33 years I have been an active advocate for occupational therapy, occupational therapy practitioners and our consumers. Each year, I participate in AOTA’s Capitol Hill Day. I have made 20 visits to Capitol Hill on Hill Day, in conjunction with AOTA Board of Director meetings and on personal visits to Washington D.C. This September I had the honor of acting as a mentor for two students who were making their first visit to the Hill. It was a wonderful experience.

I am a longtime supporter of the American Occupational Therapy Political Action Committee (AOTPAC) and participate in the “two dollar a day” program. Last year I donated over $1,000 to AOTPAC.
 
As Vice-President, I will continue to be highly engaged in advocacy. I will be highly engaged with AOTA members and non-members on social media, at State Association Conferences, at the AOTA Annual Conference & Exhibition and at other professional meetings such as the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) to encourage others to be active advocates.
 
Please take a moment to visit www.aota.org/takeaction and spend a few minutes at the AOTA Legislative Action Center. Key issues currently being debated in Congress include the following (click the link to learn more):

• Contact Your Representatives on the Tax Bill's Automatic Cuts
• Support Student Tuition Assistance
• Support Occupational Therapy in Home Health
• Help Fund Federal Disability and Rehab Research
• Stop the Therapy Cap
• Voice your support for the Lymphedema Treatment Act!

 
Help me and other occupational therapy advocates to be more powerful professionals and take action now!