OUR BEGINNINGS
Jane Water OT, from the United Kingdom encouraged a meeting among Caribbean mental health occupational therapists. Out of that meeting, Sonia Watson Brown proposed a meeting of all occupational therapists practicing in the region. Karla Brockie an American therapist working in Antigua, who was also in attendance offered to host the first meeting in Antigua.
The Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists was formed at the first meeting of Caribbean occupational therapists in March 1991 in Antigua. Nine registered occupational therapists from Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago met to discuss regional and professional concerns. The World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ Western Hemisphere delegate to the United Nations was also present. In April 1992, the first scientific conference was held in Jamaica. Eighteen occupational therapists attended from five Caribbean states and the USA.
ACOT has had its challenges with the physical distance between territories and cadre of practitioners across the region being very small and in some countries non-existent. Representation to various tertiary institutions to establish an occupational therapy training programme has to date not borne fruit, despite the dire need for these professionals across the region.
In spite of its challenges however, individual member countries of ACOT continue to agitate for improved delivery of services. Occupational therapy practitioners sometimes work in isolation and usually with very little resources.
ACOT …Executives
The Association of Caribbean Occupational Therapists was formed at the first meeting of Caribbean occupational therapists in March 1991 in Antigua. Nine registered occupational therapists from Antigua, Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago met to discuss regional and professional concerns. The World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ Western Hemisphere delegate to the United Nations was also present. In April 1992, the first scientific conference was held in Jamaica. Eighteen occupational therapists attended from five Caribbean states and the USA.
ACOT has had its challenges with the physical distance between territories and cadre of practitioners across the region being very small and in some countries non-existent. Representation to various tertiary institutions to establish an occupational therapy training programme has to date not borne fruit, despite the dire need for these professionals across the region.
In spite of its challenges however, individual member countries of ACOT continue to agitate for improved delivery of services. Occupational therapy practitioners sometimes work in isolation and usually with very little resources.
ACOT …Executives