DEI Highlights of the AOTA INSPIRE 2023 Annual Conference and Expo

Kansas City, MO, April 20-23, 2023…The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) will host the world’s largest gathering of occupational therapy practitioners, students, guests, and speakers at the AOTA INSPIRE 2023 Annual Conference & Expo. There will be more than 60 sessions focusing on universal issues of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI+).

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational therapy is an allied health profession in which occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants use everyday life activities (occupations) to promote health, well-being, and the ability to participate in the important activities in a person’s life. This video, “What Can Occupational Therapy Do for You?” clearly explains the role of occupational therapy in our lives.

Occupational therapy practitioners help people from birth to end of life with their everyday occupations. These include “everything a person wants to, needs to, or must do on a daily basis,” said Natalie Chang, MBA-HCM, COTA/L, Chairperson, AOTA DEI Committee, “from performing basic tasks like feeding, bathing, cooking, and driving, to addressing mental health, Veteran needs, aging in place, parenting, developmental disabilities, physical challenges, and social and racial justice to improve a person’s interactions with the world.”

Culturally Responsive Care

AOTA’s DEI committee is presenting a hands-on program at AOTA INSPIRE 2023 about inclusivity regarding what most consider basic daily activities, but for people from historically marginalized communities or populations, these activities can be fraught with prejudice and lack of understanding.

One occupation of focus for the hands on experience is the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) haircare. Haircare is an important occupation that also supports other occupations, such as social and community participation. Other areas of focus for the session include articles of faith, cultural dressing, meal preparation practices, and the experience of ADLs when individuals or families have disruptions in housing.

By focusing on occupational therapy’s role in the importance of the intersection between culture and occupational identity, occupational therapy practitioners can help address the lack of diversity and knowledge that negatively impacts clients' health and well-being.

Local Students Attending in Partnership With AVID

Another notable Conference offering is focused on diversifying the profession by expanding representation within the occupational therapy profession. This includes identifying and addressing barriers to admission to and successful completion of occupational therapy and occupational therapy assistant programs.

In partnership with Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID), AOTA is inviting 25 middle and high school students from the Independence School District to attend the AOTA INSPIRE Conference to learn about careers in occupational therapy. The event, Paving the Path: Inspiring Exploration of Occupational Therapy, will take place on Friday, April 21, at the Kansas City Convention Center from 9:00 am-1:00 pm CT. During their visit, students will meet with AOTA members, participate in a hands-on presentation to learn about practice areas, and visit the exhibit hall with members to see the adaptive equipment and assistive technology used.

Participating in AVID is a pivotal way to connect with children who may not have a clear pathway to college or a career. “Since creating career pathways is a core component of AOTA’s DEI Strategic Plan, inviting the students to the event was a great fit,” said Varleisha D. Gibbs, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Vice President, Practice Engagement and Capacity Building, AOTA.

“We thought of inviting some local students who might be interested in allied health, and specifically occupational therapy, to the Conference to engage in hands-on activities related to occupational therapy,” said Shanese L. Higgins, DHSc, OTR/L, BCMH, Vice Chairperson, AOTA DEI Committee. “The committee discussed Conference as one of the best opportunities AOTA has to showcase the greatness that is occupational therapy to young people deciding on a career path.”

AVID’s mission is to close the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career readiness and success in a global society. The program serves more than 2 million students today and has made the dream of college a reality for countless individuals.

“A significant transition point of a student’s educational journey happens as they move from elementary school to middle school. This is also the time when research shows that many start making decisions about whether or not they think they can go to college, or whether or not they think they can do a certain career,” said AVID District Director Laurie Cadwell.

“We want to introduce children to occupational therapy, and because we are a ‘doing’ profession, the best way that we can make this happen is by inviting them into a space where there’s a plethora of occupational therapy practitioners and engage them in activities that are similar to what we do in clinical practice,” said Chang.

While many of the students attending through the AVID program are part of historically marginalized populations, AOTA strives to educate all children about careers in occupational therapy. The partnership with AVID will launch at the Conference, and the goal is to develop more opportunities to partner in the future.

AOTA’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI+)

AOTA is committed to building a more inclusive profession that is strengthened by the diversity and engagement of its practitioners and is equipped to address the diverse needs of occupational therapy practitioners and clients of all backgrounds and identities. The AOTA DEI Committee's work encompasses a broad scope of responsibilities, including updating and refining AOTA’s DEI Strategic Plan, guiding and informing the Board of Directors and other governance bodies on issues and opportunities related to DEI+, and assessing progress achieving the goals of advancing inclusion and diversity within AOTA and the profession.

American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)

Founded in 1917, the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) represents the professional interests and concerns of more than 230,000 occupational therapists, assistants, and students nationwide. Occupational therapy practitioners facilitate participation in everyday living for people of all ages. The Association educates the public and advances the profession of occupational therapy by providing resources, setting standards including accreditations, and serving as an advocate to improve health care. Based in North Bethesda, Md., AOTA’s major programs and activities are directed toward promoting the professional development of its members and assuring consumer access to quality services so patients can maximize their individual potential. For more information, visit www.aota.org.

To arrange an interview with any of AOTA’s DEI Committee members, contact Jennifer Rignani at 412-977-5795 or praota@aota.org.