Disability Studies and Occupational Therapy: Renewing the Call for Change

Area of Science:

• Occupational therapy
• Disability studies
• Social model of disability

Background:

• Disability studies (DS) frames disability as a social construct, originating from minority studies.
• The American Journal of Occupational Therapy first featured DS in 2005.
• This special issue revisits DS integration in occupational therapy, following up on the 2005 publication.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight opportunities and provide examples of integrating DS into occupational therapy education, research, and practice.
• To address persistent issues and negative attitudes toward disability in occupational therapy curricula.
• To encourage professional change and dismantle oppressive structures impacting individuals with disabilities.

Main Methods:

• Research prioritizing lived experiences, critical approaches, and participatory methodologies.
• Analysis of interventions focusing on societal barriers and neglected instrumental activities of daily living.
• Review of educational practices and curricula within occupational therapy programs.

Main Results:

• DS research in this issue emphasizes lived experiences and participatory methods.
• Interventions focus on societal barriers, including neglected instrumental activities of daily living.
• Occupational therapy education faces challenges with negative attitudes and underrepresentation of DS.

Conclusions:

• Many issues raised in 2005 regarding DS in occupational therapy persist.
• Advocacy and social change are crucial for occupational therapy practitioners to address occupational injustices.
• Integrating DS aligns occupational therapy with disability communities and drives professional transformation.