Newsletter Articles

February 2022

Understanding Diversity

by Emily Allen OTAS

As AOTA works to encourage more diversity within the occupational therapy profession, it is important to understand what diversity means, why it matters, and how to support increased diversity in the workplace. 

Types of diversity

Culture:

Cultural diversity includes spoken language, what gestures are acceptable, whether making eye contact is acceptable or not, and much more. Some cultures place emphasis on the individual while others emphasize strong familial bonds and putting the needs of the group over the needs of the individual. Culture can also differ on a smaller scale. Within the United States, cultural differences between the north, south, east, and west affect language, concepts of etiquette, and social dynamics. On an even smaller scale, there are cultural differences between large families and families with only one child, individuals who have never lived in the same place for more than a few years and those who have lived in the same place their whole life, and between individuals who attended public school, those who attended private school, and those who are home-schooled. All of these cultural differences impact many aspects of occupational performance including habits and social interactions.

Race:

Racial diversity is more than just the color of one’s skin. It is the heritage, characteristics, beliefs, values, and traditions of any given group of people. However, because skin color is the most obvious factor, it often overshadows the other aspects of what makes up that person’s race. Focusing solely on skin color ignores their history, their traditions, and everything that makes their race unique. Race affects an individual’s susceptibility to certain diseases and can have an impact on social interactions.

Gender:

Apart from the traditional definition of gender being either male or female, the definition of gender has been expanded to include other gender identities such as intersex, transgender, and nonconforming. Differences between genders are complex and can involve physical differences, such as the tendency for men to be stronger, or emotional differences, such as how women are typically better at empathizing and relating to others.

Disability:

Diversity in disability takes many forms and can be mental, physical, or a combination of both. Disability is anything that affects an individual’s functional abilities, they can develop in anyone, at any point in life, and they are often permanent. The effect on occupational performance depends on the type of disability.

Religion:

Religion is the beliefs, practices, and values a group of people hold that govern how they worship their deity. Differences among religious sects include who or what their deity is, how to worship, how to perform ordinances such as baptism, and much more. However, one quality most religions seem to share is the practice of improving oneself and helping others in whatever way one can. Religion can have a significant impact on daily routine, habits, and social interactions.

Age:

Diversity in age can balance out certain characteristics and traits of different age groups. Younger people are more open to trying new ideas and new methods, are often able to think more creatively, and full of energy. However, younger individuals are more likely to be impulsive, have less life experiences to draw from, and may dismiss the input of others. Older people tend to have more wisdom that comes with life experiences, but they have lower energy levels and tend to be less likely to adapt well to new ideas and methods.

Why Is Diversity Important?

Different perspectives:

Diversity offers a variety of different perspectives. Seeing something from another person’s point of view can help improve understanding, increase creativity, improve professional relationships, and help colleagues and clients to feel seen and accepted.

Increases relatability:

Interacting with individuals from different backgrounds on a regular basis improves an individual’s ability to understand and relate to others of different backgrounds.

A wider variety of talents:

No matter how one tries, it is impossible to know and be good at everything. Increasing the amount of diversity in any give place can balance out and improve differences of personality, increase the number of talents to draw from, and give others an opportunity to learn new skills they might never have considered before.

How Can I Support Diversity in the OT Profession?

Keep an Open Mind:

People from diverse backgrounds see the world from very different perspectives and as such may have conflicting ideas. For this reason, it is important to be willing to try new ideas, refrain from rejecting ideas simply because it does not come naturally, and help others feel like their opinions and ideas are valued.

Another part of keeping an open mind is refraining from putting limits on others. You never really know what a person is capable of until you give them the chance to try. Allow people the opportunities, space, and time to be who they are and to grow.

Be Willing to Adapt:

As a profession, it is our job to help people figure out how to accomplish what they set out to do. We are constantly adapting the environment, the activity, and personal preconceptions to help our clients perform well in their personal occupations. So, why not do the same for a colleague? When working with a colleague from a diverse background, challenge your own perceptions of what you think they can accomplish, let them show you what they are capable of, and help them make necessary changes to facilitate their success.

Speak Out Against Unfair Treatment:

Unfair treatment can take many forms, may result from good intentions, and may not even seem unfair at first glance. That is why it is so important for those who are able to recognize unfair treatment to speak up and bring attention to what could be changed to improve the situation.