ABSTRACT
Occupational therapy, people, and assistive technology have a longstanding relationship. Occupational therapists have the broadest scope of allied health practice across the breadth of assistive products and advisory services. This commentary revisits key foundations of occupational therapy and assistive technology practice. It then examines the recent recommendations made within the inaugural WHO/UNICEF Global Report on Assistive Technology. Drawing on international exemplars of diverse practice and leadership linked to each of the report’s Recommendations, this article demonstrates core roles for occupational therapists as leaders and change agents in delivering on the imperatives identified for assistive technology and assistive technology users globally.
Acknowledgements
The lead authors wish to thank occupational therapists Ms Maria Helena Martinez Oliver, Ms Kate Martinez, Nr Yuho Okita and Ms Hana Phillips for their generosity in contributing their practice examples, and for illustrating the diversity of the occupational therapy profession working to improve access to AT for everyone, everywhere.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).