WOTA Annual Conference

The WOTA Conference Committee invites creative and resourceful practitioners to share their expertise and present at this year’s conference. We would especially like to hear how you as an OT, or other professionals who share their skills within the field of OT, enhance lives and empower people. Suggested areas of focus include new technology, unique programming, evidence-based interventions and/or political issues underlying and affecting the practice of OT.

FORMATS
Institutes (6 Hours/day, 1-3 days length)

One day session/s that will provide the opportunity to explore techniques and theories with strong focus on advanced competencies. These institutes will occur the same days as conference.

Workshops or concurrent sessions (50 or 90 minutes, 3 hours)

Workshops and concurrent sessions provide an opportunity to impart professional information through presentation and/or interaction. Its purpose is to provide information that stimulates new interests and enhanced skills. Content may cover areas such as theory, philosophy, research, treatment, program descriptions, case studies or other areas relevant to OT.

Poster Sessions

Poster sessions introduce and explain innovative programs, present new or ongoing research and stimulate discussion with colleagues in an informal exhibit setting. Presenters should come prepared to answer questions at designated times.

Levels

Attendees at the 2009 WOTA conference will come with various levels of knowledge. Presentation content should focus mainly on one level but may cross two (i.e. beginning and intermediate).

Beginning: Participants will have limited prior knowledge of the specific content areas. The information or skills will be new to those enrolled.

Intermediate: Participants will have some basic knowledge of the specific content areas. The presentations will provide information to enhance current knowledge base.

Advanced: Participants will have substantial working knowledge or skill level in the specific content areas. Generally, the level of knowledge or skills involved are currently used by the participant in his/her job, and advanced techniques or knowledge would be offered to refine and expand current expertise. Proposal Review Process Proposals will be evaluated by a team of occupational therapists who work in various areas of practice/education using the following criteria;

• Is the proposal written and presented in a professional manner?
• Is the topic relevant to the practice of OT and grounded in theory?
• Does the proposal have clearly articulated and measurable learning objectives?
• Does the material support the focus of the conference?
• Does the proposal have evidence based resources?

Reimbursement

Session presenters will receive a waiver of conference fees for the day of their presentation. If the presenter wishes to attend conference on a different day, the waiver will be ½ the registration fee. No more than two presenters per concurrent session may receive a waiver or the ½ registration fee benefit. Poster session presenters will receive a complimentary lunch.