VOTC Newsletter - Summer 2020 Demonstrate Professionalism - Command Respect In the Indian context of practice, one of the challenges faced by occupational therapists (OTs) is gaining respect from other professionals and stakeholders. Many professionals either experience a sense of inferiority or feel that they have not been given the respect they deserve. Respect stems from the way others perceive a professional. This article highlights the ways in which OTs in India can demonstrate professionalism to command respect from others.  Comment on Occupational Therapy Scope of Practice   Indian Occupational Therapists Think Tank (IOTTT), a voluntary group of likeminded, experienced, and expert occupational therapists, drafted a Scope of Practice document pertaining to the Indian context of practice. The IOTTT is seeking public comments on the draft. The deadline to comment is July 20, 2020. COVID-19 Resources IOTTT Publishes COVID-19 Secure Guidelines for Rehabilitation Professionals in India Indian Occupational Therapists Think Tank published COVID-19 secure guidelines to assist rehabilitation professionals in India reopen their practice/re-enter the workforce safely and protect the service recipients of occupational therapy. The guidelines are available free of cost and will soon be posted here.  World Health Organization Centers for Disease Control & Prevention John Hopkins Coronovirus Dashboard Ministry of Health & Family Welfare Health & Family Welfare Department, Tamil Nadu   Disability News No. of disabled students sees sharp fall in Rajasthan schools Lockdown blues: Persons with disabilities face abuse, neglect & uncertainty Grocery kits distributed to disabled Madurai: Lockdown a double challenge for disabled Coronavirus lockdown – In the pandemic, the disabled remain an invisible minority How Revival aims to ‘un-hide’ stories of disability in India

Evidence Corner (Links to Research that Support OT Practice/Profession)   Awareness of Occupational Therapy among Medical Practitioners in South India Utilization of Assistive Devices in Occupational Therapy Practice in Tamil Nadu Evidence Based Practice