Being a member of Diversional Therapy Australia is very important to my profession. I am very passionate about my role assisting people to have a rich and fulfilling life through using leisure and recreation.
Like many people who work in a variety of role titles such as Lifestyle coordinators, Recreation officers, Diversional therapist, Activities officer etc – across a number of health / community sectors there is a feeling that the role is misunderstood, unappreciated, underpaid and not recognised fully by management and other professionals who we all work with.
To change people and organisational attitudes to our profession requires a united front from those working in the profession. As individuals we can all band together and become a united and unified voice. By being a member of DTA you support the national body to continue to be a voice on the national stage. This takes time but slow progress is happening.
Diversional Therapy Australia is run by a board of volunteers who work tirelessly for the profession and members are represented from each state or territory.
Diversional Therapy Australia, since becoming a national body, has increased the profile and importance of the profession lobyibng government and political members for health and ageing. Diversional Therapy Australia is an associate member of Allied Health Professional Australia, member of National Aged Care Alliance, Indigenous Allied Health Australia, supports members in private practice, partnerships with Healthstrong to establish learning modules on the field of DT and is continually building onto the website including the member’s only section and new forums
Benefits of being a member include the increased knowledge and information transfer from attending network meetings, newsletters, workshops, on line training and conferences.
By attending a local network meeting you are supported by other likeminded people with sharing of ideas, professional development and keeping up to date with changes in the industry. Being part of a team has provided me confidence to speak up and be proud of my profession.
If you are passionate about your role and having an impact on the people’s lives that you provide services to, be pro active about the direction in your own life and profession. Don’t make excuses like ‘management aren’t supportive’, you are in control of your life and are able to make changes. We encourage the people we support to make choices and change direction to create the opportunity to have wellness and a good quality of life – do we want anything less for ourselves?
The continuous professional development points a seem to worry some members. By attaining the 15 points annually it demonstrates to the organisation and your employer that you are continuing learning and keep abreast of changes in the profession. Many points are available by attending workshops, network meetings and conferences, these are not just through the DTA, but can be through Alzheimer’s Australia, Multicultural Association, Accreditation agencies and other recognised training bodies. You can even share a new program you have implemented, by submitting it into the newsletter or present it in a 15 minute DTA Takeaway Café session at a DTA workshop.
I personally would recommend being a member and seeing our profession recognised amongst our peers, with a greater diversity of employment opportunities becoming available.
Regards
Rosslyn Price
South Australia Board Member
Diversional Therapy Australia
t: 02 9887 5035 / Toll Free: 1300 113 395
f: 02 9887 5036
e: enquiries@diversionaltherapy.org.au