Conference Registration Now Open

Reflection on Occupation: Enabling Healthy Communities

Welcome from the 2014 Host Committee

The CAOT 2014 Conference host committee and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists welcome you to Fredericton, Atlantic Canada’s riverfront city.  This year’s theme – Reflection on Occupation: Enabling Healthy Communities - is an opportunity for Occupational Therapists to explore enabling strategies that will influence daily practice in order to promote health in their own communities.

Occupational Therapists work with numerous communities and populations with a mutual goal of enabling individuals to be active participants in their daily lives.  This optimization of Occupational Performance is the foundation for building health, defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as ‘complete physical, mental and social well-being’.   Healthy communities are based on the individual health of all community participants, and according to the WHO, a healthy community cannot be achieved without the influence of Occupational Therapy. The WHO defines a Healthy Community as "one that is safe with affordable housing and accessible transportation systems, work for all who want to work, a healthy and safe environment with a sustainable ecosystem, and offers access to health care services which focus on prevention and staying healthy.” We are certain that this conference will offer practical skills and techniques that will support your efforts in building healthy communities.  After you have absorbed all of the wealth of knowledge offered by conference presenters, we encourage you to take the opportunity to reflect on your daily practice and how it influences/promotes healthy communities.

You won’t be disappointed with the social activities we have planned for you here in Fredericton beginning with early morning wellness activities to kick start your days.  Join us for a morning run, show us your dance moves with a Zumba class, get your heart racing with an aquasize class, and channel your inner peace with a yoga class, all being led by some of your local OTs.  Dress in your best ‘80s attire and meet us at the Market for the “Rock the Market – Bring on the Neon!” on Thursday night at the famous WW Boyce Farmers Market.  Friday night brings the “Out and About Student Social” where you will have an opportunity to enjoy a tour of the local downtown hotspots.

CAOT Conference 2014 promises to provide you with a Maritime experience like no other.  The city of Fredericton boasts Acadian pride, welcoming hospitality, and an unforgettable sense of community spirit that we hope you will take home with you.  We hope that you embrace all that our city and conference has to offer and you will leave feeling excited and eager to implement all of the new learning into your OT practice.

Enjoy the conference!

Your 2014 Conference Host Committee:
Co-Convenors: Lori Masse & Tara Forster
Committee Chairs: Lilli Lin (Volunteer), Pam McCaskill (Accessibility), Kara Reid (Pre-Conference), Erin MacLean (Registration), Nicole DeLong (Social)