Reflecting The Communities That We Serve: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives In Occupational Therapy Education

Authors

Jonette Ishmael, OTS, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Nuriya Neumann, OTS, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Tracey Vause-Earland, OTR/L, PhD, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

4-20-2018

Keywords

diversity, inclusion, occupational therapy

Comments

Presented at the 2018 American Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference and Expo

Abstract

Background

• There is a current lack of diversity seen in OT classrooms across the country.
• It is paramount we create a diverse occupational therapy student body in order to meet the needs of the diverse communities we serve.
• Students, educators, and therapists, need to develop cultural reflexivity, humility and safety when serving patients of various background (Taff & Blash, 2017).
• Through establishing diversity and inclusion initiatives within OT education we can increase awareness and provide education that will radically shape the OT workforce in coming years.
• Efforts to diversify OT programs is key to progressing as a profession, and reflecting the populations we serve (Taylor, 2007); thus achieving AOTA’s vision for 2025.

Recommended Citation

Ishmael, OTS, Jonette; Neumann, OTS, Nuriya; and Vause-Earland, OTR/L, PhD, Tracey, "Reflecting The Communities That We Serve: Embracing Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives In Occupational Therapy Education" (2018). Department of Occupational Therapy Posters and Presentations. Paper 46.
https://jdc.jefferson.edu/otpresentations/46

Language

English