First things first, read our March newsletter here, where we begin this conversation, learn about racial equity, and discuss critical steps our occupational therapy community can take to build racially equitable occupational therapy practices.

How can we, as individuals, become avid learners and growers in anti-racist occupational therapy? Where do we start? Below are our thoughts to help you begin and continue…

You can read the definitions of racial equity literacy terms here and here.

You can ask questions to your fellow white person if you think something is racist – its one of the ways I keep learning and growing in my own racial equity journey.

You can look at the policies in your own organization – what does your work have to say about racism and anti-racism work, and what policies exist to support OTs of color, and clients of color?

You can read books, and follow leaders on social media (Rachel Cargle or NeurodivergentActivist on Instagram).

If you’re a student – ask where the lectures and classes are on racial inequity, medical racism, injustice and occupational injustice.

If you’re a practitioner, try looking at your evaluations first- are you evaluating all folks with care for their experiences in the world, or is there a better way to do things?

Become a mentor through the Coalition of Occupational Therapy Advocates for Diversity.

Support our OTs of color by supporting their caucus groups and networking. The National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus is a community of Black occupational therapy practitioners with groups all over the world, and is the longest running networking group for therapists of color in the U.S.

You can share your case studies with us here, and share what you want to do in your practice and OT community to better support people of color and create a more antiracist world.

Please comment below on what you believe you/we/our OT community can do to be anti-racist occupational therapists. What are you going to do to become anti-racist in your practice? What can you do for our OT community to become anti-racist? If you’re ready and on your way, what are you doing in your practice or life to be anti-racist?

[Comments that are unsafe and violate our community guidelines (Ex: are racist, ableist, violent, etc) will be removed. We love you.]