The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is the national professional association established in 1917 to represent the interests and concerns of occupational therapy practitioners and students of occupational therapy and to improve the quality of occupational therapy services.
 

Current AOTA membership is approximately 65,000, including occupational therapists, occupational therapy assistants, and occupational therapy students. Members reside in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and internationally.
 

AOTA represents 230,000 occupational therapy practitioners and students in the United States.
 

AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward assuring the quality of occupational therapy services, improving consumer access to health care services, and promoting the professional development of members.
 

AOTA educates the public and advances the profession by providing resources, setting standards, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. AOTA is based in Bethesda, MD.

 

Mission Statement
To advance occupational therapy practice, education, and research through standard setting and advocacy on behalf of its members, the profession, and the public. 
 

Vision 2025
As an inclusive profession, occupational therapy maximizes health, well-being, and quality of life for all people, populations, and communities through effective solutions that facilitate participation in everyday living.

Pillars:

• Effective: Occupational therapy is evidence based, client centered, and cost-effective.
• Leaders: Occupational therapy is influential in changing policies, environments, and complex systems.
• Collaborative: Occupational therapy excels in working with clients and within systems to produce effective outcomes.
• Accessible: Occupational therapy provides culturally responsive and customized services.
• Equity, Inclusion, and Diversity: We are intentionally inclusive and equitable and embrace diversity in all its forms.

Vision 2025 builds on the work of the Centennial Vision to guide the profession beyond its 100 year anniversary in 2017. Pillars help further define and communicate the Vision’s core tenets to key stakeholders, including OTs, OTAs, educators, students, consumers, policymakers, and the general public.