Making a difference: Belonging, diversity and inclusion in occupational therapy

Atwal, Anita; Sriram, Vimal; McKay, Elizabeth A.

Abstract

Over the past year, COVID-19 has been causing death and adding to grief across the world; during this time, an equally important issue – #blacklivesmatter – has been filling our minds and awakening our hearts to confront misery, enable equity and champion social justice. The events unfolding globally have provided a space for what have been difficult conversations to begin in the occupational therapy profession.

The purpose of this editorial is twofold: First, to share conversations with occupational therapists (OTs) in the United Kingdom, around racism, support for ethnic minorities and career progression; Second, to stimulate debate and dialogue with the wider occupational therapy profession alongside multi-professional groups. Individuals, teams and organisations often discuss conversation regarding equality and diversity, but they are seldom spoken of as race and race-based discrimination or societal equality.

• Journal Article Type: Editorial
• Online Publication Date: Aug 8, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021-11
• Deposit Date: Aug 24, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 24, 2021
• Journal: British Journal of Occupational Therapy
• Print ISSN: 0308-0226
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-6006
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 84
• Issue: 11
• Pages: 671-672
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/03080226211031797
• Keywords: Occupational Therapy
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2795231