Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity
The Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (COTAD) is a national
organization founded in 2014 with a focus on promoting justice, equity, diversity,
inclusion, anti-racism, and anti-oppression in the occupational therapy profession.
The Occupational Therapy Program at UND established its own chapter of COTAD in the
fall of 2022. COTAD chapters are student led groups within occupational therapy education
programs that work at a local level to learn about and address these important issues.
Members of the UND Chapter of COTAD have established the following broad goals:
- To increase exposure to the occupational therapy profession with the local community through participation in service efforts that promote justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and anti-oppression.
- To understand and reflect on our own privileges and unconscious biases to increase our own self-awareness and empathy to better serve consumers of occupational therapy services.
- To engage in respectful, though-provoking dialogue on issues relevant to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and anti-oppression to enhance cultural humility.
- To encourage growth of the occupational therapy profession within diverse populations.
COTAD meets one time per month in the fall and spring semesters. Students meet in
person in Grand Forks and connect virtually with members attending the Occupational
Therapy Program in Casper, WY. Each meeting is focused around a different topic relevant
to COTAD’s mission. In addition to monthly meetings, COTAD members participate in
one or two community service events and/or educational trainings to gain more in-depth
knowledge.
Member Requirements
- Must be a registered student at the University of North Dakota.
- Pre-occupational therapy students are encouraged to join and participate as they are able.
- Pay an annual $10 membership fee.
- Attend and participate in monthly meetings, community service events, educational trainings, and fundraising.
If you would like more information or are interested in joining COTAD, please contact the group’s faculty advisor, Karrianna Iseminger at Karrianna.iseminger@und.edu.