Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD)
The Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) formed in 2014
through a collaboration that occurred between members of the AOTA Emerging Leaders
Development Program. COTAD has grown tremendously since its early days and has added
individuals to its Executive Board and general membership. Now established as a non-profit
organization, COTAD operates as group of individuals from across the United States
all working towards a common goal of promoting diversity and inclusion within the
occupational therapy workforce and increase the ability to occupational therapy practitioners
to serve an increasingly diverse population.
The COTAD chapter at SUNY Downstate is an active student organization that is focused on bridging the values of advocacy and professionalism through increasing awareness on the importance of culture and diversity within the occupational therapy profession. The COTAD chapter at SUNY Downstate is proudly student developed, student led, student implemented and student driven with a strong component of teamwork, leadership and fostering professional values as its foundational structure.