SIG Occupation
Advancing activity, participation and quality of life through evidence-based rehabilitation
SIG Occupation
About us
The Special Interest Group (SIG) Occupation is an interdisciplinary network of clinicians, researchers and educators focused on improving activity, participation and quality of life for persons with MS. Our overall goal is to unite research-based and practice-based knowledge and skills, with the aim to enable, enhance and empower participation in persons with MS.
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➜ Who participates
The group welcomes occupational therapists and other professionals involved in clinical work, research or education with the aim of enabling activity and participation for persons with MS.
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➜ How it started
Founded in 1995 under the name "Technical Aids", the SIG began with support from RIMS and leadership by Marijke Duportail. It has evolved into a collaborative network that meets twice a year: once at the RiMS Conference, and once for a two-day in-between meeting, often co-organized with other SIGs.
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➜ Our goals
• Exchange clinical and research expertise
• Promote evidence-based occupational therapy
• Support collaborative projects and research
• Strengthen European OT networks in Multiple Sclerosis rehabilitation
Call for Applications
Co-Chair of the SIG Occupation
Join RiMS and help lead the Special Interest Group dedicated to improving the participation and quality of life of people with multiple sclerosis.
Application deadline: Friday, 11 September 2026, 23:00 CEST
Apply for the positionMeetings & Reports
SIG Occupation organizes two meetings each year:
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A short 3-hour meeting held during the RiMS Annual Conference.
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An interactive two-day in-between meeting hosted by a member organization, supported in part by RiMS.
These meetings revolve around dedicated themes, include planning for future initiatives, and often feature collaboration with other SIGs. Past joint topics have included wheelchairs in daily life, cognition, employment, and upper limb issues in people with Multiple Sclerosis.
Members
Alex McKay
Ann Van Loock
Åsa Näs
Ashley Boers
Carlotta Gualco
Celia Oreja-Guevara
Celine Tanner
Chiara Milo
Christine Hunter
Claire Dolan
Corinne Oosterlinck
Daphne Kos
David Diaz Espinola
Dejana Zajc
Elena Pignattelli
Eliška Rotbartová
Elizabeth Benfield
Emma Rogan
Erica Grange
Eva O'Byrne
Eva Sulić
Evalda Bizjak
Ewelina Lach
Fabiola Garcia Vaz
Farhat Naz
Fiadhnait O'Keeffe
Gaël Shema
Geraldine Goldsmith
Heleen Beckerman
Helen Dawes
Helena Llorente
Hilde Ryg
Inger Grethe Løyning
Isaline Eyssen
Iza Obal
Jeanette Richwood
Jelka Janša
Joke Raats
Julie Løkstad Alvseike
Karin van der Hiele
Karolína Straková
Katja Angleitner Narobe
Laura Carotenuto
Laurits Emil Taul Madsen
Lene Kallmayer
Line Berthelsen
Loretta Bacci
Louise Høvald Hammershøj Nørgaard
Maja Likar
Marcia Finlayson
Meghan Schulz
Mette Sloth
Michela Ponzio
Nicole Dodsworth
Olga Varnavidou
Pavlína Klecarová
Riccardo Raspini
Sabrina Jansen
Sabrina Mesmaeker
Sanela Sadiković
Saskia Van Hooydonk
Shalina Saddal
Sharon Elizabeth Ståhlberg
Sinéad Hynes
Sofia Straudi
Sofie Ferdinand
Stephan Ilsbroux
Tadeja Brezavšček
Vigdis Rosenberg
Yonca Zenginler Yazgan
Zdenka Ivić
Zorana Sicherl
Photos
Publications
Joint publications of the SIG Occupation
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The Assistive Technology Team in Europe
Platform presentation at the 2nd International MS Week, 2002, Chicago 5–9
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Kos D., Kerckhofs E., Carrea I., Verzo R., Ramos M., Jansa J. Evaluation of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale in four different European countries.
Mult. Scler., 2005, 11: 76–80.
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