Impact of DEIJAB legislation on occupational therapy education

The United States population is becoming more diverse. The 2020 U.S. Census reported that 61% of the population identified as White (United States Census Bureau, 2021, August 12), yet 85% of occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) identify as White (American Occupational Therapy Association [AOTA], 2023). Researchers have documented concerns about the lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across all levels of the OT profession (Salvant et al., 2021). To address these concerns, AOTA includes the elements of DEI as a pillar of Vision 2025 (AOTA, 2017). There is an increase in literature to support actualizing this goal by operationalizing and identifying strategies to support DEI in occupational therapy and education (Muñoz, et al., 2023; Sterman, et al., 2022).

Following the 2023 U.S. Supreme Court decisions in SFFA v. Harvard and SFFA v. UNC, several state legislatures have introduced or passed laws to remove DEI programs and initiatives in higher education, which affect hiring, admissions, trainings, and other initiatives. According to Flannery (2024), more than 80 anti-DEI bills have been introduced across the country, and some states have removed DEI offices on college campuses. These offices provided programs and safe spaces that promoted awareness, mentorship, belonging, and additional support that contributed to faculty and student retention, and improved mental and physical health in the academic community. The elimination of these resources leaves gaps of needed support for students and faculty, many of whom are underrepresented minorities (URMs).

Higher education is the entry point for becoming an OTP; therefore, efforts to eliminate DEI in higher education are detrimental to the viability of the profession. As OTPs we should not be deterred; instead, our commitment should be strengthened. There are three actions that OT and OTA students and practitioners can take to demonstrate this commitment.

1. Be informed. It is incumbent on each of us to remain informed about issues and policies that impact the profession. This can occur by undertaking formal or informal training, reading or listening to relevant content, or interacting meaningfully with members of demographic groups that differ from our own to broaden our perspectives. The Multicultural, Diversity, and Inclusion (MDI) Network (AOTA, n.d.) is composed of groups offering connection and support for URMs and their supporters in the OT profession. The Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity (https://www.cotad.org/) is another resource for learners, clinicians, and faculty.
   
   
2. Be intentional in facilitating DEI efforts in educational programs. Research provides strategies to create an educational environment to increase awareness, support, retention, and belonging of URMs (Muñoz, et al., 2023; Sterman, et al., 2022). Threading DEI into educational programs contributes to the development of OTPs who are culturally aware and prepared to serve the increasingly diverse U.S. population.
   
   
3. Be engaged. Ensuring that the profession is diverse, equitable, and inclusive in all areas is a responsibility that each of us should own. Engagement includes becoming actively involved in our professional organizations, mentoring, serving as clinical educators, and advocating for policies that uplift and protect the principles of the profession. It is imperative that OTPs, individually and collectively, accept responsibility to create the profession we desire—one that is visibly rich with diversity of background, ethnicity, orientation, culture, and ability. Our profession—and our clients—deserve it.

References

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2017). Vision 2025. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 71, 7103420010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2017.713002

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2023). AOTA 2023 workforce and compensation survey. https://www.aota.org/career/state-of-the-profession/what-do-practitioners-earn/workforce-and-compensation-survey-premium-report

American Occupational Therapy Association. (2024). Community volunteer groups: Multicultural, Diversity, and Inclusion network. https://www.aota.org/community/volunteer-groups

Flannery, M. E. (2024, February 14). Anti-DEI laws take aim at students of color and LGBTQ+ students. NeaToday. https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/anti-dei-laws-take-aim-students-color-and-lgbtq-students

Muñoz, J. P., Hoyt, C., Hamed, R., Anvarizadeh, A., & Taff, S. D. (2023). Generative disruptive questions: Operationalizing diversity, equity, inclusion, justice, and accessibility in occupational therapy education. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 7(4), 1–43. https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2023.070413

Salvant, S., Kleine, E. A., & Gibbs, V. D. (2021). Be heard—We’re listening: Emerging issues and potential solutions from the voices of BIPOC occupational therapy students, practitioners, and educators. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 75, 7506347010. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.048306

Sterman, J., Njelesani, J., & Carr, S. (2022). Anti-racism and occupational therapy education: Beyond diversity and inclusion. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 6(1), 1–22. https://doi.org/10.26681/jote.2022.060103

Students for Fair Admissions, Inc., v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, with Students for Fair Admissions, Inc., v. University of North Carolina, et al., 600 U. S. 181–411 (2023). https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/22pdf/20-1199_hgdj.pdf

United States Census Bureau. (2021, August 12). Improved race and ethnicity measures reveal U.S. population is much more multiracial. https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2021/08/improved-race-ethnicity-measures-reveal-united-states-population-much-more-multiracial.html

Riqiea Kitchens, PhD, OTR, BCPR, CSRS, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at the University of Texas Medical Branch. She has disseminated research on issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in occupational therapy education. She currently serves as the President of the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus.