Dei in Occupational Therapy: A Guide for Students and Newly Qualified Occupational Therapy Practitioners

This innovative, hands-on guide explores the essential role of diversity and inclusion in occupational therapy education and practice. The book centres on the contrasting experiences and challenges faced by two occupational therapy students, Allie and Gemma, highlighting the systemic inequalities often faced by marginalised groups in healthcare education. Through their journeys, readers are able to learn about and integrate key concepts such as cultural humility, implicit bias, and allyship within wider occupational therapy education.

Through detailed case studies, reflective exercises, and theoretical frameworks, students, educators, and practitioners are equipped with the tools needed to apply the empathy and critical consciousness that is fundamental to ethical and effective healthcare practice.

The guide is also supplemented with reflective activities, which includes role-playing scenarios, debate exercises, and action-oriented tasks, transforming theoretical concepts into practical tools for professional growth.

Dr. Razan Hamed, PhD., OTR/L, FAOTA (she/her) is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of the Programs in Occupational Therapy (CUOT) at Columbia University. Dr. Hamed is an advocate for issues related to diverse experiences in occupational therapy education and clinical and professional practice. She is the founder of the Arab American Occupational Therapy Group (AAOTG) and lives in New Jersey.

Dr. Vikram Pagpatan, EdD, OTR/L, FAOTA (he/him) practices in academia and pediatrics within New York State. Dr. Pagpatan has previously served on the AOTA DEI Committee, is the immediate past President of the Association of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders in Occupational Therapy (AAPIOT), is a Board Director for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) and has authored several textbooks for the profession. He lives in New York.

André Johnson MS, OTR/L, COTA/L, ROH (he/him) practices in pediatrics, orthopedics, and academia in Florida. Mr. Johnson has previously served as Chairperson of the AOTA Commission on Education, Vice President of the Black-male Registered Occupational Therapy Healthcare-professionals Assistants & Students (BROTHAS) organization, and is currently a Board Director for the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). He lives in Miami.