Information
WHAT IS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY?
Occupational therapy is a profession concerned with promoting health and well being through occupation. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to enable people to participate in the activities of everyday life. Occupational therapists achieve this outcome by enabling people to do things that will enhance their ability to participate or by modifying the environment to better support participation.
Occupational therapists have a broad education that equips them with skills and knowledge to work collaboratively with individuals or groups of people who have an impairment of body structure or function due to a health condition, and who experience barriers to participation. Occupational therapists believe that participation can be supported or restricted by physical, social, attitudinal and legislative environments. Therefore, occupational therapy practice may be directed to changing aspects of the environment to enhance participation.
Occupational therapy is practised in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, health centres, homes, workplaces, schools, reform institutions and housing for seniors. Clients are actively involved in the therapeutic process, and outcomes of occupational therapy are diverse, client-driven and measured in terms of participation or satisfaction derived from participation.
WHERE DO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS WORK?
Occupational therapists work with all age groups and in a wide range of physical and psychosocial areas.
Places of employment may include hospitals, clinics, day and rehabilitation centres, home care programmes, special schools, industry and private enterprise.
Many occupational therapists work in private practice and as educators and consultants.
HOW DO OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS WORK?
Assessment
The occupational therapy process is based on initial and repeated assessments. The occupational therapist together with the person seeking help will focus on individual and environmental abilities and problems related to activities in the person’s daily life.
Assessment includes the use of standardised procedures, interviews, observations in a variety of settings and consultation with significant people in the person’s life.
Planning
The results of the assessment are the basis of the plan which includes short and long-term aims of treatment. The plan should be relevant to the person’s development stage, habits, roles, life-style preferences and the environment.
Intervention
Intervention focuses on programs that are person oriented and environmental. These are designed to facilitate performance of everyday tasks and adaptation of settings in which the person works, lives and socialises. Examples include teaching new techniques and providing equipment which facilitate independence in personal care, reducing environmental barriers and providing resources to lessen stress.
Cooperation
Occupational therapists recognise the importance of teamwork. Cooperation and coordination with other professionals, families, caregivers and volunteers are important in the realisation of the holistic approach.
WORLD FEDERATION OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS
The key international representative for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy around the world and the official international organization for the promotion of occupational therapy.
Founded in 1952
WFOT Secretariat
PO Box 30
Forrestfield
Western Australia
Australia 6058
E: wfot@multiline.com.au
F: 61 8 9453 9746
HISTORY
The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) began with formal discussions at a meeting of occupational therapists held in England in June 1951, at which there were 28 representatives from various countries. There was a continued discussion in September of the same year at the Congress of the International Society of the Rehabilitation of the Disabled held in Stockholm, Sweden.
A Preparatory Commission was held in Liverpool, England in 1952, attended by representatives from seven countries with occupational therapy associations or organizations and written approval for the organization of such an association from three other countries. These ten associations from the USA, United Kingdom (England and Scotland), South Africa, Sweden, New Zealand, Australia, Israel, India and Denmark, inaugurated the WFOT. At this meeting, Ms Helen Willard of the USA served as temporary chairperson until the officers were elected. The first elected officers were – President, Ms Margaret B Fulton of Scotland; First Vice-President, Ms Gillian Crawford of Canada; Second Vice-President, Ms Ingrid Pahlsson of Denmark; Secretary-Treasurer, Ms Clare S Spackman of USA; Assistant Secretary-Treasurer Mrs Glyn Owens of England.
The Constitution was developed at the 1952 meeting and contained the following initial objectives:
- to act as the official international organization for the promotion of occupational therapy;
- to promote international cooperation among occupational therapy associations, therapists and other allied professional groups;
- to advance the practice and standards of occupational therapy;
- to help maintain the ethics and to advance the interests of the profession;
- to facilitate the international exchange and placements of therapists and students;
- to facilitate the exchange of information;
- to promote the education and training of therapists; and
- to hold international congresses.
In 1959 WFOT was admitted into official relations with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and in 1963 it was recognised as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) by the United Nations (UN).
MISSION
WFOT promotes occupational therapy as an art and science internationally. The Federation supports the development, use and practice of occupational therapy worldwide, demonstrating its relevance and contribution to society
FUNDAMENTAL BELIEFS
The Federation believes that:
- occupational therapy has a valuable contribution to make to occupational performance as it affects the health and well-being of people.
- it can positively influence health, welfare, education and vocation at an international level.
- the effectiveness of the Federation depends on its contribution and collaboration with other international organizations.
- it can positively influence the development of excellence within the profession.
- the effectiveness of the Federation depends on it being responsive to the professional needs, issues and requirements of members.
- it must be built on co-operation, high ethical standard and mutual respect at all levels.
- it is a non-political organization.
- the success of the Federation is dependent on the development and maintenance of a strong unified leadership of the WFOT Council.
- its members are the most important asset.
MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE/ORGANISATION
WFOT uses a programme management structure. There are five programme areas which work together to meet the aims and objectives for the organisation. The work is carried out by Program Coordinators (PCo’s), project team leaders and project team members. The PCo’s oversee ongoing functions and time limited project teams which are guided by specific costed project plans.
The Executive meets every year and the Council meets every two years to facilitate the work of the organization.
Meetings/Congresses
| Interim Executive Meeting | Executive and PCo’s meet every year. |
| Council Meeting | Executive, PCo’s and Delegates meet every two years. |
| International Congress | Every four years. |
THE FIVE PROGRAMME AREAS
INTERNATIONAL CONTACTS
WFOT maintains liaison with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other international (non-governmental) health organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, INIA, Rehabilitation International (RI), International Council on Disability (ICOD) and the WORLD confederation of Physical Therapists (WCPT) with whom WFOT has full professional relationship.
Ambassadors, named by the Executive for different regions, are responsible for maintaining contacts.
SPECIAL PROJECTS WITH NGOS
Participation in a WHO/WFOT/WCPT taskforce on Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) which has produced an easy to read pictorial manual on “Promoting the Development of Young Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Guide for Mid-Level Rehabilitation Workers 1993”; and manuals on “Promoting Independence Following a Spinal Cord Injury: A Manual for Mid-level Rehabilitation Workers 1996” and “Promoting the Development of Infants & Young Children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus: A Guide for Mid-level Rehabilitation Workers 1996”.
See: http://www.who.int/ncd/disability/publications.htm
Collaboration of WFOT with WHO and COTEC (Committee of Occupational Therapists in European Communities) in a quality assurance research project looking at the aftercare of people following stroke.
Participation with INIA in the development of a multidisciplinary educational course on Care of the Older Person designed for areas of the world where this problem is emerging.
MEMBERSHIP
There are currently (2002) 57 member associations of which 8 are Associate members.
Organisation membership
A country which has an occupational therapy association with an approved constitution and educational program may become a full member of WFOT.
Associate membership
A country with an approved constitution can become an associate member of WFOT.
Individual membership
Through their national organizations, qualified occupational therapists and occupational therapy students can become individual members of WFOT and receive the WFOT Bulletin.
PUBLICATIONS
WFOT has a range of publications. (See Document Centre).
FUNDING & FUNDS
WFOT is funded through subscriptions from national associations and individual members. Donations and bequests are welcomed.
The WFOT Thelma Cardwell Foundation Award for Education and Research provides opportunities for occupational therapists to extend their knowledge, gain specialised skills and mature professionally through study and research.
WFOT also has a Council Participation Fund, funding for the formation of new regions and a support for regional development – loan fund.
THE CREST
WFOT shall continue using the crest as designed and agreed upon in 1964 for all official purposes and for future congresses in order to achieve continuity.
The crest represents:
The staff of life with serpents entwined: a recognised medical symbol of Hippocrates.
The wings of the Phoenix topping the upper end of the staff: symbolises high aspirations.
The encircled five rings: represents the continents of the world.
Background
In 1960 the President contacted the member organizations to submit suggestions of a design for a crest to the Publications Committee.
In 1962, eighteen designs were mounted and presented for the consideration of Council. The designs had been on display for two days and after thoughtful discussions on whether additional designs or professional designers should be sought, Council decided to select two from the eighteen designs. A professional designer incorporated the two designs to create the WFOT crest.
The crest was launched at the WFOT 3rd International Congress in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA in 1962.
The crest was adopted for use by the WFOT for all official purposes and congresses in order to achieve continuity.
MEMBER COUNTRIES OF WFOT
| Country (Full Members) | Year of Entry |
| Argentina | 1970 |
| Australia | 1952 |
| Austria | 1978 |
| Bangladesh | 2000 |
| Belgium | 1968 |
| Brazil | 1994 |
| Canada | 1952 |
| Chile | 1980 |
| Colombia | 1976 |
| Czech Republic | 2002 |
| Denmark | 1952 |
| Finland | 1972 |
| France | 1964 |
| Germany | 1958 |
| Greece | 1992 |
| Hong Kong | 1984 |
| Iceland | 1976 |
| India | 1952 |
| Indonesia | 2000 |
| Ireland | 1970 |
| Israel | 1952 |
| Italy | 2002 |
| Japan | 1972 |
| Jordan | 1992 |
| Kenya | 1976 |
| Korea Rep. of | 1998 |
| Latvia | 1998 |
| Malaysia | 1990 |
| Malta | 1994 |
| Mexico | 1998 |
| Netherlands, The | 1960 |
| New Zealand | 1952 |
| Norway | 1958 |
| Pakistan | 1992 |
| Philippines | 1968 |
| Portugal | 1964 |
| Republic of China (Taiwan) | 1986 |
| Russia | 2004 |
| Singapore | 1992 |
| Slovenia | 2004 |
| South Africa | 1952 |
| Spain | 1972 |
| Sri Lanka | 1992 |
| Sweden | 1952 |
| Switzerland | 1962 |
| Tanzania | 2002 |
| Thailand | 2002 |
| Uganda | 1996 |
| United Kingdom | 1952 |
| United States of America | 1952 |
| Venezuela | 1968 |
| Zimbabwe | 1990 |
| Country (Associate Members) | Year of Entry |
| Bermuda | 1992 |
| Cyprus | 1996 |
| Iran | 2004 |
| Luxembourg | 1990 |
| Mauritius | 1998 |
| Namibia | 2000 |
| Nigeria | 1992 |
| Rep. de Panamá. | 2004 |
| Country (Contributing Members) | Year of Entry |
| Caribbean | |
| CLATO | 2002 |
| COTEC | 1994 |
| Kuwait | 2003 |
| OTARG | 2004 |
INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP
WFOT WELCOMES PEOPLE WHO SUPPORT ITS WORK AND WISH TO BECOME FURTHER INVOLVED.
Thank you for your enquiry about membership. Being part of WFOT allows members to be actively engaged in promoting the development and growth of the profession. It also actively pursues the maintenance of professional standards, particularly those relating to undergraduate education. And of course it provides a great opportunity to meet other colleagues from different cultures around the world. The Federation directly links 57 countries across the world. Each of these 57 countries is a member of WFOT through their national association. However for the work of WFOT to keep progressing we are encouraging individual therapists to become individual members of the Federation.
THE BENEFITS OF BEING A MEMBER
A member of WFOT receives the Bulletin (professional journal) twice yearly, through which they can really see what is happening in the “International World of OT”. The scope of professional practices, from country to country, is extensive and WFOT actively supports relationships between countries, individual practitioners, educators and students, and these relationships continually expand dramatically.
Members are eligible to apply for research awards, to register with OTION (Occupational Therapists International Network) through the website and seek or provide support from or to colleagues. This site also allows members to access information about non government organisations which employ therapists in developing countries.
WFOT has strong and influential relationships with a large number of international organisations. It works closely with WHO (World Health Organisation) at both a central and regional level. Regional networks are also available to members, with each region conducting conferences and working groups that challenge issues on a more local level.
The Federation has an individual membership of in excess of 6,000 therapists and a country membership that represents 160,000 Occupational Therapists internationally. Many of these people work actively in project teams that pursue over 50 separate initiatives. The Executive and the Coordinators of the other four programme areas - Promotion and Development; Education and Research; International Cooperation and Standards and Quality are actively recruiting interested therapists to work in whatever way they want to within these projects. Visit the WFOT website www.wfot.org and communicate directly with these Coordinators to discover more about the exciting activities.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO BE A MEMBER?
Qualified occupational therapists and students who are interested in becoming individual members of WFOT are able to do so through their national association. It is only through your membership in your national association that your qualifications can be checked, and the status of individual membership of WFOT be given due recognition.
HOW DO I BECOME A MEMBER?
By paying an annual subscription to your national association which then forwards your membership fee directly to WFOT. If you have trained in a country which is not the one in which you are currently working, it should be possible for you to become a member through your original (country of origin) association or through membership of the association in your new country.
If you have not graduated from a WFOT recognised school, please encourage your educational institution to undertake the process of recognition that your national association has established.
Your opinions and ideas will be welcome as will your energy when you become a member of a WFOT.
Please remember all you have to do is to contact your member country Association or the WFOT Honorary Secretary, Marilyn Pattison at wfot@multiline.com.au
RELATIONS WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATIONS
Non-governmental Organisations
United Nations Department of Public Information
“The United Nations does not belong to States alone. It is part of the common heritage of all humankind. It belongs to everyone. For each and every one of us, it is a unique institution, a mechanism which links us all in our efforts to build a better world. It is an expression of human faith and confidence in the future.”
Secretary-General Kofi Annan
Messina, Italy, April 1997
Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO)
A non-governmental organisation (NGO) is any non-profit voluntary citizens group which is organised on a local, national or international level. Task oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs can perform a variety of services and humanitarian functions, bring citizens’ concerns to governments, monitor policies and encourage political participation at the community level. Those which share the principles of the United Nations (UN) are able to work directly or indirectly with the organisation. They provide analysis and expertise, serve as early warning mechanisms and help monitor and implement international agreements. Some are organised around specific issues such as human rights, the environment or health. Their relationship with offices and agencies of the United Nations system differs depending on their goals, their venue and their mandate.
Close to 1600 NGOs with strong information and programmes on issues of concern to the UN are associated with the Department of Public Information (DPI), providing the UN with valuable links to people around the world. DPI helps those NGOs gain access to and disseminate information about the range of issues in which the UN is involved, to enable the public to understand better the aims and objectives of the organisation.
NGOs and DPI
NGOs associated with DPI disseminate information about the UN to their membership, thereby building knowledge of and support for the organisation at the grass-root level.
Dissemination includes:
- Publicising UN activities around the world on such issues as peace and security, economic and social development, human rights, humanitarian affairs and international law.
- Promoting UN observances and international years established by the General Assembly to focus world attention on important issues facing humanity.
The World Federation through its linkages with its UN agencies and other international NGO’s is active in the promotion of occupational therapy.
INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES WITH WHOM WFOT HAS CONTACT
| AG | NGO/WHO Collaborative Group on Ageing |
| CBR | WHO/WCPT/WFOT Task Force on Community-Based Rehabilitation |
| CIOMS | Council for International Organisations of Medical Sciences |
| CONGO | Conference on Non-Governmental Organisations |
| COTEC | Council of Occupational Therapists for the European CountriesDPI Disabled Peoples International |
| ECOSOC | Economic and Social Council |
| ICOD | International Council on Disability |
| ILO | International Labour Organisation |
| IRTAC | International Round Table for the Advancement of Counselling |
| PAHO | Pan American Health Organisation (WHO) |
| RI | Rehabilitation International |
| SAB | NGO/WHO Consultation Group on Substance Abuse |
| UN | United Nations |
| UNDP | United Nations Development Programme |
| UNDRO | United Nations Disaster Relief Organisations |
| UNESCO | United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisations |
| UNICEF | United Nations Children’s Fund |
| WAPR | World Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation |
| WCPT | World Confederation for Physical Therapy |
| WFUNA | World Federation of United Nations Agencies |
| WHO | World Health Organisations |
| WPR | Western Pacific Region (WHO) |