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AOTA-CORE — AOTA 2025 Core Values

AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (2025) · Reference for OTs, OTAs, and OT students · Source: AOTA

What does AOTA-CORE say?

The AOTA 2025 Code of Ethics is built upon eight core values: (1) Altruism — demonstrating unselfish concern for the welfare of others through commitment, caring, dedication, responsiveness, and understanding. (2) Equity — fair and just treatment for all individuals regardless of identity, background, or circumstances; recognizing and addressing systemic disparities; ensuring equitable access to resources; promoting inclusivity; empowering meaningful engagement in daily life; and actively challenging bias and discrimination. (3) Freedom — valuing each person's right to exercise autonomy and demonstrate independence, initiative, and self-direction. (4) Justice — providing occupational therapy services for all persons in need; upholding moral and legal principles; pursuing a state in which diverse communities are inclusive and organized so all members can function, flourish, and live a satisfactory life; exhibiting attitudes and actions consistent with occupational justice. (5) Dignity — valuing, promoting, and preserving the inherent worth and uniqueness of each person, respecting their social and cultural heritage. (6) Truth — being faithful to facts and reality through accountability, honesty, forthrightness, accuracy, and authenticity. (7) Prudence — governing and disciplining oneself through the use of reason, judiciousness, discretion, vigilance, moderation, and care. (8) Advocacy — actively promoting the occupational rights of individuals, groups, and populations by ensuring access to essential resources, services, and opportunities for meaningful participation; empowering service recipients to voice their needs; advancing occupational justice through fair and equitable access.

Official source: read the full text in the AOTA Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics (2025) (official document).

Related sections

AOTA-COMMON-ETHICAL-ISSUES — AOTA Advisory: Common Ethical Issues in Occupational Therapy PracticeAOTA-DOCUMENTATION-BILLING — AOTA Advisory: Ethical Documentation and Billing PracticesAOTA-ENFORCEMENT — AOTA Enforcement Procedures for the Code of Ethics (2021)AOTA-EQUITY-ACCESS — AOTA Advisory: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in OT EthicsAOTA-ETHICS-COMMISSION — AOTA Ethics Commission: Role and ResourcesAOTA-P1 — Principle 1: BeneficenceAOTA-P2 — Principle 2: NonmaleficenceAOTA-P3 — Principle 3: Autonomy
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