Advancing Leadership Through Coaching: A New Course for OTs
As occupational therapy continues to evolve globally, leadership skills have become essential competencies for practitioners at all levels. Recognizing this need, CAOT has developed a comprehensive online course designed to help OTs integrate coaching principles into their leadership practice. Upon finishing “Coaching for leadership excellence: Enhancing leadership skills in occupational therapy practice,” participants are eligible to receive a certificate of completion for three Continuing Coach Education (CCE) credits through the International Coaching Federation.
The course is led by Hélène Thériault, an OT and Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coach Federation. With 21 years of experience across Canada's private and public healthcare sectors, she brings unique expertise to this initiative. Hélène holds a Master of Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University and currently serves as a clinical instructor at the University of British Columbia while maintaining her practice, where she integrates coaching approaches to enhance client empowerment and occupational participation.
Research shows that leaders with coaching skills create safer work environments and foster cultures of continuous learning. Designed for OTs with intermediate experience (three to five years), this course equips practitioners with competencies to transform team dynamics and client care.
Delivered entirely online over approximately 3.5 hours, "Leadership and Coaching in Occupational Therapy" combines video instruction, interactive quizzes, and practical assignments across four modules. Participants explore foundational coaching principles, develop essential skills in communication and feedback delivery, and create personalized action plans for leadership development. It is available in English through CAOT's professional development platform.
CAOT Hosts Successful Driving Rehabilitation and Transportation Conference in Ottawa
CAOT was pleased to organize On the Move: The Canadian Driving Rehabilitation and Transportation Conference from November 17-19. More than 170 in-person and online attendees joined the successful event in Ottawa, Ontario, which featured over 40 sessions on a wide range of topics, a trade show, and networking opportunities.
Special guests included Stephanie Cadieux, Canada’s first Chief Accessibility Officer, and occupational therapists Dr. Brenda Vrkljan and Dr. Isabelle Gélinas, who gave the keynote address, titled “Moving Forward Together: Bridging the Past and Shaping the Future of Community Mobility.” The presentation bridged past wisdom with future potential as the field navigates advances in automation and accessibility challenges. Brenda and Isabelle explored how to preserve what works, reimagine what's possible, and ensure people remain at the heart of every journey – reminding attendees of both how far we've come with community mobility and how much more we can achieve.
L'ACE organise avec succès une conférence sur la réadaptation à la conduite automobile et le transport à Ottawa
L'ACE a eu le plaisir d'organiser la conférence « Allons-y : la conférence canadienne sur la réadaptation à la conduite automobile et le transport » du 17 au 19 novembre. Plus de 170 personnes ont participé, en personne et en ligne, prenant part à cet événement couronné de succès à Ottawa, en Ontario, qui comprenait plus de 40 séances sur un large éventail de sujets, un salon des exposants et des occasions de réseautage.
Parmi les invités spéciaux figuraient Stephanie Cadieux, dirigeante principale de l'accessibilité du Canada, et les ergothérapeutes Brenda Vrkljan et Isabelle Gélinas, qui ont prononcé le discours d'ouverture intitulé « Moving Forward Together: Bridging the Past and Shaping the Future of Community Mobility » (avancer ensemble : relier le passé et façonner l'avenir de la mobilité communautaire). La présentation a établi un lien entre les connaissances acquises par le passé et le potentiel pour l’avenir, alors que le domaine navigue vers l'automatisation et les défis liés à l'accessibilité. Brenda et Isabelle ont exploré comment préserver ce qui fonctionne, réimaginer ce qui est possible et veiller à ce que les personnes restent au cœur de chaque parcours, rappelant aux participantes et participants le chemin parcouru en matière de mobilité communautaire et tout ce qu'il reste à accomplir.