Pipeline to the future: Increasing fieldwork opportunities for underrepresented OT students

As one of the five pillars of the American Occupational Therapy Association’s Vision 2025 (AOTA, 2019), diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) is a strategic priority within the professional organization, calling on the occupational therapy community to act in advancing more inclusive and equitable environments for clients, practitioners, and students. Broadening representation across all aspects of diversity within the profession is a goal identified by the AOTA DEI Task Force that can help actualize this vision (Goal 3; AOTA, 2021). Academic programs and fieldwork sites each have a role in targeting outcomes that expand fieldwork opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.