Significant dates in the history of occupational therapy
- 1932 Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists formed
- 1936 Association of Occupational Therapists formed
- 1974 British Association of Occupational Therapists formed
- 1978 British Association of Occupational Therapists / College of Occupational Therapists formed
- 1989 Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal becomes Patron of the College of Occupational Therapists
- 1992 BAOT/UNISON agreement signed
- 1999 Silver Jubilee of British Association of Occupational Therapists
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which details useful references for those wishing to find out more about the history of occupational therapy.
Archives
The British Association of Occupational Therapists/College of Occupational Therapists deposits its business records at the Wellcome Library for the History of Medicine. The first deposit was made in 1997 and further deposits are made every five years.
The archive of the Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists (1932-1974) is not yet available for public study.
A history of the profession by Dr Ann Wilcock published by the College of Occupational Therapists
Occupation for Health - Volume I
A Journey from Self Health to Prescription, 'a history of occupational therapy from the earliest times to the end of the nineteenth century and a source book of writings'.
Hardback copy ISBN 0-9539375-1-8
Paperback copy ISBN 0-9539375-3-4
Occupation for Health - Volume II
A Journey from Prescription to Self Health, 'a history of occupational therapy in the United Kingdom during the twentieth century and a source book of archival material'.
Hardback copy ISBN 0-9539375-2-6
Paperback copy ISBN 0-9539375-4-2
Order Form
(212KB)*
A photographic and oral history archive are also planned. Please contact Beryl Steeden at beryl.steeden@cot.co.uk if you can help.
Occupational Therapy equipment is being collected by the Science Museum, London, and is held in the reserve collection of the Medical Science Department. Please contact them if you have artefacts you would like to donate. For more information about the history of the profession please contact the COT Library.
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