OTAC postpones three events amid coronavirus crisis but creates new online OT community

The Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference (OTAC) has postponed three of its events in response to the COVID-19 outbreak but has introduced new online channels for OTs to receive vital information and training.

Organised by Promoting Independence, OTAC events provide in-depth and important information relating to housing adaptations and assistive technology to occupational therapists, commissioners and housing professionals.

The decision to postpone the training events comes as the government has implemented increasingly stricter measures to prevent the spread of the virus, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggesting that he may be required to introduce tighter lockdown restrictions following the UK’s largest daily death toll increase on the 29th March.

Emphasising that the events have been postponed rather than cancelled, the new OTAC dates are:

• Leeds will now be on 21st April 2021 at Westwood Hall
• Exeter will now be on 12th May 2021 at the Exeter Racecourse
• Cambridge will now be on 2nd September 2020 at the Hallmark Hotel

The next live OTAC training event will take place on 8th July in Reading and full details of all events can be found here.

Keen to ensure healthcare professionals can still access essential training over the coming weeks, however, OTAC has created a number of online channels to help OTs engage with one another, as well as enjoy expert advice from product specialists.

A new Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference (OTAC) Facebook group has been developed, providing OTs with the chance to communicate, network and share thoughts and ideas with their peers.

Additionally, OTAC confirmed it will introduce live training calls on Zoom, offering guidance and expert panel Q&As for occupational therapists: the first call will feature Geberit’s Simon Thomas as the first guest and will take place on 1st April at 1pm.

“In April, we’re running a virtual OTAC,” added Stuart Barrow, Managing Director of Promoting Independence – the event’s organiser.

“The details are yet to be finalised but we will let OTs know as soon as they are.”

Stuart is also a regular contributor for AT Today, writing his helpful and insightful articles from the perspective of an OT, with topics including young people and the DFG, moving & handling and sensory loss.

Stuart has confirmed he will continue to write for the publication over the coming months.

You can read the latest issue of AT Today online at: https://issuu.com/thiis/docs/at_today_jan_2020_web?fr=sM2IwNTIzNjUyOA