The Heart of Occupational Therapy

Raising Consciousness of Occupational Injustice

"A foundational process toward enabling occupational justice is to 

raise awareness of occupational injustice as a concern for 

social inclusion in everyday life" 

(Whiteford & Townsend, 2011, p. 75).

 “Our body is not merely so many pounds of flesh and bone figuring as a machine, with an abstract mind or soul added…It is the use that we make of ourselves that gives the ultimate stamp to our every organ.” (Meyer, 1922/1977, p. 641).

A feel good story about how disability became an opportunity for a row team in Texas...

They surge down Lady Bird Lake, a synchronized mass of rippling muscle and fierce expressions against slate blue water.

Reminders of the challenges they face — prosthetic legs and an attentive guide dog — stay on shore. 
Read more...

According to Whiteford & Townsend, "critical questions to enable consciousness raising might be:

• Is a particular community or population inequitably excluded from participating in typical occupations?
• What forms of consciousness raising are culturally appropriate?
• How is social exclusion experienced?
• Does the population experience exclusion as alienation, hopelessness, or meaninglessness..?
• Does the population experience exclusion through prolonged occupational deprivation because of isolation or poverty?
• Is a population marginalized without access..to participate in civic, leisure, employment or other occupations?" (2011, p.75). 

We encourage you to reflect on these critical questions and seek out opportunities as an occupational therapy student or practitioner to raise the consciousness of occupational injustice within your circle of acquaintances, friends, colleagues, community, and international contacts. 

LeBlanc, P. (2009). Physically challenged rowers compete for spot on national team. Retrieved from: http://www.austin360.com
Meyer, A. (1922/1977). The philosophy of occupation therapy. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 31, 639-642.
Whiteford, G., & Townsend, E. (2011). Participatory occupational justice framework (POJF 2010): enabling occupational participation and inclusion. In F. Kronenberg, N. Pollard, & D. Sakellariou (Eds.), Occupational therapy without borders, Volume 2 (p.65-84). Elsevier Ltd: Edinburgh