Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategic plan
Vision statement
AOTA is committed to creating an environment where all people within our professional community are valued and able to give their best in the communities where they live and work. AOTA strives to recognize and uplift the diversity of our profession and is committed to creating opportunities to foster inclusivity, participation, and representation. We will act with intention and live our values to be inclusive, equitable, just, and accountable in this work.
DEI values and behaviors
The Task Force identified three underlying values and behaviors that are essential to this plan:
Inclusiveness: encouraging active involvement of everyone in the community and making it easy for people to be involved.
- Seeking to understand viewpoints that are not our own.
- Challenging behaviors that create exclusion.
Accountability: Taking ownership by acknowledging and assuming responsibility for actions, decisions, and policies. Providing clarity on what we are being held accountable for.
- Having transparency and openness.
- Acknowledging shortcomings and seeking out support when needed.
- Aligning our actions with our stated values.
Authenticity: Speaking one’s truth, being fearless in who you are.
- Listening to and respecting other’s truth.
- Behaving according to our values.
- Leading by example.
Goals and actions
Governance and accountability
Goal 1: Ensure that AOTA governance structure, policies, processes, and practices are inclusive, free of bias, and assure diversity of background, lived experiences and perspectives among all member volunteer bodies and the Association as a whole.
Action 1.1: Establish a DEI committee to inform AOTA DEI strategy and serve as an advisor for Association activities.
Action 1.2: Modernize existing AOTA governance structures, policies, practices, procedures, programs, and services to incorporate and communicate our DEI vision and values.
Action 1.3: Identify and address barriers to participating in volunteer leadership roles within the Association.
Education and awareness
Goal 2: Educate and train occupational therapy stakeholders (e.g., educators, practitioners, students, accreditors, volunteers and AOTA staff) about DEI, the inherent link with the principles of the profession, and the mission and vision of AOTA.
Action 2.1: Curate accessible content and resources for academic preparation for OT and OTA students.
Action 2.3: Promote adoption of DEI requirements as part of accreditation, licensure, and certification.
Action 2.4: Infuse intersectional DEI content into AOTA events and educational programs and materials.
Action 2.5: Identify and disseminate relevant research studies that elevate awareness and advancement of DEI-related topics.
Diversifying the Profession
Goal 3: Expand representation across all intersections of diversity within the occupational therapy profession.
Action 3.1: Enhance awareness of and opportunities for occupational therapy careers within underrepresented populations.
Action 3.2: Identify and address barriers to admission to and successful completion of OT and OTA programs, including but not limited to biases, prejudices, and economic inequities.
Action 3.3: Examine experiential differences and barriers in employment for occupational therapy professionals and students from diverse backgrounds, and determine approaches to support our occupational therapy community.
Language and Communication
Goal 4: Promote a shared understanding of the dimensions and terminology of DEI among AOTA members, the profession, and with other related professions.
Action 4.1: Build, regularly update, and consistently communicate the lexicon of terms related to DEI that is relevant to our membership.
Action 4.2: Collect and transparently share information to AOTA membership and our community about our DEI efforts.
Action 4.3: Apply a DEI lens to all AOTA communications.
Action 4.4: Create collaborations with agencies and organizations to understand the shifting demographic composition of the profession.