During Hispanic Heritage Month

Author: Dalmina Arias, OTD, OTR/L

As a Latina, first-generation college graduate, occupational therapy practitioner, and educator, I understand how meaningful it can be to see someone whose culture, language, family, or journey reflects your own. I also understand what it feels like to search for that representation and not always find it.

North Central College Occupational Therapy Students Bring Their Voice to Community Accessibility

Black Hawk College Joins Project ACCESS to Enhance Campus Accessibility

Author: Abi Swidergal, PhD Candidate, MS, COTA/L, CKTP, ROH

Black Hawk College is honored to be one of just four colleges in Illinois, and 10 institutions nationwide, selected to participate in Project ACCESS (The Alliance for Campus Change and Equity and Support Services).

Promoting Aging in Place and Independent Living for Older Adults and Adults with
Disabilities

By Annalisa Ranallo 

Falls are often the most discussed safety concern in nursing homes and rehabilitation facilities, but they are far from the only danger residents face.

RPGs in OT

By: Misty Ayers-Cumbow, MOT, OTR/L

Role playing games (RPGs) have a rich history over the past half century. Dungeons & Dragons is the most well-known RPG. It has surged in popularity due to entertainment such as the television show Stranger Things, the video game Baldur’s Gate, and the 2023 movie Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves. 

 The 2025 ILOTA Annual Conference is Right Around the Corner!

Connect. Collaborate. Celebrate OT!

The Transition from Undergraduate School to Graduate School: First-Year Student Perspective

By: Marissa Madl, OTS, North Central College

Never in my eighteen years of going to school was I ever nervous to start, but when my alarm went off at six am on August 20th my nerves kicked in fast and my stomach was in knots the whole ride to school before starting graduate school. Nothing prepares you for the transition from undergraduate school to graduate school. I thought I was prepared and ready to start my career in Occupational Therapy, until the first day of classes proved otherwise.

All-Terrain Accessibility

Author: Kylie Congdon, OTS

Last month on the 4th of July, my grandfather and I decided to go watch the fireworks together. While he is able to ambulate with a walker, his balance and endurance make it difficult to attend events that require strenuous activity or one to “go off the beaten path”. As I was planning our outing, we decided to view at a nearby golf course to beat the traffic when the fireworks concluded. When we arrived, I realized that we would have to park on a side road which required us to walk up a slight incline and a measurable distance. Although he was winded after our trek, we successfully made it to our destination and enjoyed a night out doing something he has not participated in in years. As we were awaiting the firework show, I could not help to think to myself how difficult that would have been if he was in a wheelchair. Of course, there was the alternative option of going to the actual location, but that was not the point. Just because someone is wheelchair bound or has limited mobility does not mean that they should be limited to where they can go.

Summer Advocacy Season is Here!

Author: Laura VanPuymbrouck, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA; Committee Chair, ILOTPAC

Happy summer to all OTPs! While summer is filled with vacations and activities, it’s also the time when Illinois state senators and representatives return home following the end of the legislative session and marking the beginning of our summer advocacy season.

Advocacy - More Than A Buzzword

Author: Katie Little, OTS; ILOTA Blog Coordinator

As occupational therapy practitioners, our profession is renowned for its hands-on care and the ability to help individuals reclaim their independence. Beyond clinical walls and interventions often lies an unseen aspect of our work: advocacy. While some may believe this is just a buzzword, it is the very foundation that successful outcomes are built upon. Not only this, every victory we help consumers achieve, every barrier we help them overcome, serves as a compelling testimony as to why occupational therapy is essential, and strengthens our profession’s standing and ensuring its place in healthcare.

The 8th Annual ILOTA Student Conclave was held on February 15, 2025, hosted by Midwestern University. Big thanks to the committee who worked so hard to make this a successful event:

Video

Sensory Play 3 Ways

By Monica Zloza, COTA

Capstone Journey: The World of Non-Profit Organizations

This blog post is an opportunity to highlight a capstone site that two current Midwestern University OT-III students are currently working at. The Mobility Matters Foundation (MMF) is a non-profit 501(c)3 foundation that was founded by Dr. Amy Siegler, BOCO, OTD, OTR/L. Dr. Siegler founded this non-profit based out of Western North Carolina in 2022 partly in response to NC Medicaid cutting reimbursement for telehealth services for many individuals, including Medicaid patients ages 21 and up who were accessing private OT/PT clinics. After completing her own needs assessment in her geographic area, she noted that there were extreme gaps in terms of access to healthcare, geographic, financial, and transportation barriers, insurance limitations, and lack of nearby seating & mobility clinics. As a result, Dr. Siegler founded the first and only seating and mobility clinic in Western NC that operates on a telehealth and pro bono level.

The scoop on an ILOTA Intern’s Capstone Projects: Ari’s Perspective

Attending Conference: Practitioner/Professor Perspective

Marissa Dastice

Ciara Brabant: What was your first conference experience like?

Attending Conference: Students’ Perspective

Hello readers! My name is Ciara Brabant and, I am a 1st year OTD student at Midwestern University. I am taking Samantha Tupas position as ILOTA blog coordinator for In the Now. This month I am posting the 1st of a 2 part article series about students’ perspectives on attending conference. I had the opportunity to speak with two students, Talya Flores and Samantha Dooley, from Midwestern University OTD program, about their recent experience attending the ILOTA conference.

Talya Flores attends the OTD program at Midwestern University as a 1st-year student.

Lewis University COTAD Interview

Hello readers! This month I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with the Lewis University COTAD Chapter. Miranda, Jay, and Dr. Susan Charnley, DrOT, OTR/L, CHT, joined me for an interview about their recent COTAD events and what their goals are for the rest of the year. I hope you all enjoy hearing about their experiences with COTAD!

Samantha 

Interview with Midwestern University COTAD Chapter: Rocio, Gabby, and Dr. Robinson

Hello readers! This month I had the opportunity to speak with the members of the Midwestern University COTAD chapter. Gabriela Carmona, Rocio Torres, and Dr. Monika Robinson, DrOT, OTR/L shared their insights on what it means to be a part of COTAD and what others can do to contribute to their cause of diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Samantha: