Diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, access & belonging in OT
The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is leading the profession to be more diverse, equitable, and inclusive through its commitment to developing diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, access, and belonging (DEIJAB) resources and tools to strengthen occupational therapy practitioners' contribution to a healthy and engaged community.
DEIJAB toolkit
Diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, access, and belonging are important—to us, our profession, academic programs, and the clients and communities we serve. We created a learning resource toolkit to support practitioners, faculty, fieldwork educators, and students.
Explore
Our toolkit is designed to direct you using action guides, exercises, assessments, and a resource library.
Learn
Start with our video library that features learning modules and personal perspectives on DEIJAB and move at your own pace through the toolkit to visit other areas like the resource library, frameworks addressing DEIJAB in OT, and more.
Discuss
We suggest learning activities and assessments for you to use in future conversations in your own practice, university, or health care setting.
Learning center
The learning center is where you can find AOTA's Decision Guide on addressing racial discrimination, stigma, and implicit bias during provision of services, view learning modules featuring DEIJAB topics, explore the DEIJAB Word Bank's terms and definitions, and discover an extensive collection of resources and tools in the toolkit resource library.
Transgender & gender-diverse inclusive resources for your practice
Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals face unique barriers that can result in occupational injustice, deprivation, and alienation. Through cultural humility, occupational therapy practitioners can provide inclusive care to TGD individuals that is supported by the AOTA Code of Ethics. We have the skills necessary to deliver client-centered, gender-affirming care that promotes engagement in healthy occupations.
Providing SAFE care for neurodevelopment disabilities in children & youth
Neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs) in children and youth may experience barriers to health care and face bias or structural ableism leading to poor outcomes and physical or emotional harm. AOTA supports services that are patient-centered, encouraging belonging, inclusivity, and equitable care for individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Explore Supporting Access for Everyone (SAFE)—a call to action for system-wide change to aid your clients and their families.
DEI CE courses
AOTA is committed to supporting students and practitioners in their knowledge of DEI topics by developing the Integrating DEI in Academic Curricula CE course, Part 1 & Part 2.
Part 1 focuses on the importance of DEI in academic and practice settings, defines diversity, equity, and inclusion, and challenges learners to reflect on what DEI means to you and your clients.
Part 2 covers implicit bias and microaggressions and its impact on provision of services, academic and in practice, difficult conversations surrounding microaggression, cultural awareness on hair types, religions, cultures, and traditions, and the importance of advocating for a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive profession. Members will continue to have access to the DEI learning modules.
Case studies
Review case studies that share common themes and recommended action for further discussion and exploration. Preview a case study for a sneak peak or sign in to expand your knowledge by reviewing each faculty, practitioner, and student case study. Continuing education credits are available in the AOTA Store.
Faculty members provide scenarios highlighting disparities and issues with diversity. Recommended actions and themes offer further discussion.
Preview: Faculty case study 1
DEI research and articles
To further increase practitioner education on DEI topics, explore the latest offerings from AJOT's DEI Collection and other scholarly articles.
The AJOT DEI Collection
The occupation of justice
Implicit bias in occupational therapy practice
Diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks
These tools aim to increase awareness of the diverse needs of individuals in our professional communities to support inclusive occupational therapy practice for all. They guide you through understanding your own perspective as an occupational therapy practitioner, fieldwork student, fieldwork educator, or faculty member in occupational therapy education. The frameworks also touch on understanding others' perspectives and consider environmental influences and contexts to provide inclusive occupational therapy services. More coming soon!
Does the diversity of staff and student body reflect the communities or reflect the diversity in our country, and how can we make that a priority, no matter where our institutions are based?
Personal perspectives: A closer look at DEI
This video series focuses on personal viewpoints and insights on DEI topics in occupational therapy. Brian Gibbs, PhD, Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer at UMass Memorial Health Care, describes his personal journey in the field of occupational therapy and the importance of DEI efforts.
More on personal perspectives
Multicultural networking groups
This network of independent groups of diverse identities and affiliations based on race or ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and religious affiliation collectively supports the increase of diversity and inclusion in occupational therapy.
Our Commitment
Learn more about AOTA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and read AOTA’s DEIJAB Strategic Plan.
Thank you
The AOTA Practice Engagement and Capacity Building team would like to thank the following individuals for their contributions to the DEI Toolkit. In addition, our team acknowledges and thanks all stakeholders who reviewed and provided feedback on the toolkit.
AOTA Assembly of Student Delegates
Student members, Boston University Department of Occupational Therapy
Jewell J. Dickson, OTD, MPH, OTR/L, ATP
Kelly Erickson, PhD, OTR/L
Candice Freeman, OTD, MOT, OTR
Liz Kleine, MOT, OTR/L
Theresa Rhett-Davis, MS, OTR/L