OT Week 2024: Celebrating 80 Years of Connection

October 20, 2024

Join us at helpz as we celebrate OT Week 2024, marking 80 years of incredible connections in occupational therapy. This week shines a light on the invaluable role that occupational therapists play in empowering individuals, enhancing their quality of life, and helping them live more independently.


What is OT Week?


OT Week is an annual event held by
Occupational Therapy Australia to raise awareness of the vital role occupational therapists (OTs) play in supporting people from all walks of life. This year’s theme, “Celebrating 80 Years of Connection,” reflects on the rich history of occupational therapy in Australia and the contributions of OTs to health, well-being, and inclusion.


At helpz, we are proud of our occupational therapists who deliver essential services to individuals with diverse needs. Whether it's supporting people with physical challenges, developmental delays, or mental health concerns, OTs are crucial in helping people engage in meaningful activities.


Our team of occupational therapists works with individuals across different life stages to improve their ability to perform daily tasks, participate in social activities, and reach their personal goals. From supporting children with developmental disabilities to empowering adults with chronic conditions, our OTs provide a tailored, client-centred approach that meets the unique needs of every participant.


Occupational therapists;


  • Assess and support: OTs evaluate each participant's abilities and needs and provide strategies that enhance their independence and well-being.
  • Promote inclusion: Whether at home, in school, or within the community, our OTs ensure participants can engage fully in activities that bring them joy and purpose.
  • Develop personalised programs: Our team creates individualised treatment plans incorporating therapy, adaptive techniques, and tools to help participants achieve their goals.
  • Collaborate with families and carers: We believe in a holistic approach to therapy and work closely with families and carers to ensure the best outcomes for our participants.


Meet Tran Vu, our OT Practice Lead

Tran is the Practice Lead OT with helpz and is dedicated to supporting clients across all ages and abilities. Tran loves connecting with her clients and is committed to supporting diverse needs, offering individualised supports from a holistic, strengths-based approach. 


"I love the variety in my work where I can work on cooking skills with one client, prescribe a wheelchair for another and finish the day with some sensory activities."





Tran Vu, Occupational Therapist and Practice Lead

Why celebrate OT?


We see the impact of occupational therapy every day. OT empowers people to overcome challenges, build confidence, and lead fulfilling lives. Let’s take this opportunity during OT Week to celebrate the amazing work that OTs do and highlight their contributions to our communities.


How to get involved in OT Week 2024

You can celebrate OT Week 2024 with helpz in a number of ways:

  • Share your story: We encourage you to share your experiences with occupational therapy on social media using the hashtag #OTWeek2024
  • Connect with us: If you or someone you know could benefit from occupational therapy services, please contact helpz. 
  • Follow us for more: Follow us on social media to stay updated.


For more information on OT Week 2024 and how you can participate, visit the
Occupational Therapy Australia event page.


News & Insights

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The NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commissio n has released a new suite of resources titled "Restrictive Practices and Me", designed to support meaningful conversations with participants when regulated restrictive practices are included in their behaviour support plans. These resources aim to uphold participants' rights and ensure that discussions around restrictive practices are accessible, respectful, and tailored to individual needs. Developed in collaboration with people with disability, NDIS providers, authorisation bodies, and advocacy organisations, the materials reflect a commitment to person-centred practice and transparency. What’s Included? The Restrictive Practices and Me toolkit features: A tip sheet for practitioners and providers Plain English and Easy Read discussion books A case study illustrating practical application A set of icons to visually represent different types of restrictive practices These resources are editable and adaptable, allowing practitioners to tailor content to each participant’s circumstances. For example, pages not relevant to a participant’s situation can be removed, and images can be reused in other formats. Why It Matters Under Section 20 of the NDIS (Restrictive Practices and Behaviour Support) Rules 2018, participants must be informed when restrictive practices are proposed. These conversations must be conducted in a way that is easy to understand and respectful of the participant’s autonomy. The Commission emphasises that restrictive practices should only be used as a last resort, and must be the least restrictive option available. They must be included in a behaviour support plan and follow the appropriate authorisation processes. Regulatory Priorities for 2025–26 This initiative aligns with the NDIS Commission’s broader regulatory priorities for 2025–26, which include: Reducing and eliminating regulated restrictive practices Strengthening oversight of unregistered providers Improving management of high-risk health concerns Ensuring providers support and train skilled workers Commissioner Louise Glanville reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to human rights, stating that “practices that restrict the rights or freedom of movement of people with disability can be traumatic, dangerous and breach basic human rights." Accessing the Resources The Restrictive Practices and Me resources are available for download on the NDIS Commission website . Providers are encouraged to use, adapt, and share these tools to foster informed, respectful, and rights-based conversations with participants. Link : Talking to participants about Restrictive Practices Reference: NDIS Commision 2025-26 priorities focus: participant rights and safer services
September 10, 2025
 By Tharon Neurodivergent Consultant at helpz