New York State Occupational Therapy Association

2/6/12. With the closing of our annual conference, I expected a period of quiet from NYSOTA business, where we could turn our attention to making connections and finish long term projects.  However, this wasn’t to be the case. 

Canandaigua, N.Y. — In Julie Marie Smith’s second-grade classroom at Canandaigua Primary School, the chair has taken a backseat. While there are chairs in her room, most students in Smith’s classroom utilize a more rotund and colorful sitting device: stability balls. “We began using stability balls in 2008,” she said. “Stability balls enhance the learning environment by providing seating that allows for active sitting, which improves attention, concentration, posture, blood flow, flexibility, coordination and balance.”

1/26/12. New York City. Eileen LaMourie, MS, OTR/L, Team Captain of OTs Walk With NAMI and MNYD Board member, moderated the evening for 80 students, clinicians, educators and family members who came together at Beth Israel Hospital’s Podell Auditorium for the 5th Annual Mental Health Taskforce & MNYD NAMIWALK Pep Rally.

1/26/12.

Our friends at the Museum of disABILITY History and the Center for Disability Studies are pleased to host “A Sens-ible Home” – a workshop to be held at the Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street in Buffalo on Friday, March 2nd at 4-5:30pm.

1/30/12

Dear OTA Program Directors and Faculty,

We have a rather serious problem that has come up in New York State regarding proposed regulations concerning the supervision of the occupational therapy assistant student. We believe that the proposed regulations could have a dire effect on the Occupational Therapy Assistant Program here, and we need your assistance.

Following are amendments to the regulations of the commissioner of education. Please express your concerns directly to:

New York State Licensure Board for Occupational Therapy:

• otbd@mail.nysed.gov
  

Melissa Whelen MS, OTR/L, IMC

NYSOTA President

Dialoguing for Recovery