Marine Nipiosyan, a second-year Occupational Therapy Doctorate student at Hanover College, recently completed her internship with TFA and an impactful capstone project evaluating TFA’s Clinical Resource Library. Clinicians from Yerevan and Armavir identified autism, emotional support, functional movement disorder (FMD) assessment, and stroke rehabilitation as the most valuable content areas, with assessment and educational resources standing out. The Library is being used regularly – from monthly to weekly – to support clinical practice.

Notably, 75% of respondents use the Library to guide evidence-based interventions, and all reported the resources are relevant, easy to navigate, and clinically useful. Recommendations include expanding Armenian-language materials, adding motivation and inclusion-focused seminars, and developing ICU-specific resources. We’re proud to celebrate Marine’s capstone work and grateful for her contributions to Therapists for Armenia.

As Therapist for Armenia (TFA) celebrates its 6th anniversary, we proudly reflect on a mission that remains at the heart of our work: advancing occupational, physical, and speech therapy, promoting inclusion, and supporting the well-being of Armenian communities. What began as a small group of dedicated volunteers has grown into a collaborative effort to strengthen rehabilitation services, challenge stigma, and build sustainable, evidence-based practices. Six years later, our commitment to accessibility, equity, and community empowerment continues to guide every step forward. Over the past few years, TFA has created a resource-sharing library, hosted Project ECHO events, presented groundbreaking research at conferences around the world, launched Azad 3D— 3D-printed assistive technology for people with disabilities in Armenia, and so much more!

Occupational therapy student Marine presented an overview of the WHO Assistive Technology Capacity Assessment in Armenia, highlighting the country’s current strengths, gaps, and priorities for improving AT access. The presentation summarized key findings, including unmet population needs, limited product availability, and inconsistent training for providers.

She also emphasized areas of progress, including the development of updated government frameworks and the increasing involvement of disability organizations in advocacy and service delivery. The session concluded with WHO’s recommended actions to strengthen Armenia’s AT ecosystem and integrate assistive technology across health, education, and social systems. Here is the link to the full report.