Occupational therapy in Ethiopia is currently provided on a short term, inconsistent basis by foreign occupational therapists through various healthcare facilities, educational facilities, and NGOs. While these occupational therapists are doing good work for the people of Ethiopia, we believe that Ethiopians are ultimately best served by their own community members.

Development of a university level occupational therapy program would allow Ethiopian occupational therapy students to learn valuable professional skills to help improve Ethiopian communities, provide consistent occupational therapy services to community members, and contribute to the overall well being of the Ethiopian people by supporting inclusion of all people in community participation.

Signatures to this petition will be used to demonstrate evidence of support of the establishment of an occupational therapy education program at an Ethiopian university. Signatures may be shared with Ethiopian government ministries and international accreditation organizations, such as WFOT.