Using reciprocal relationships to avoid the inclusion trap

Abstract

In order to fulfill the requirements for human rights as promulgated by the United Nations, professionals need the competences to collaborate with people with disabilities to fulfill their rights. It should be taken into consideration that the idea of inclusion can entail also several occupational traps. Research was carried out based on a 10-year longitudinal study concerning the therapeutic collaboration phenomenon and 5 years testing of the concept. One way to avoid the traps is to work collaboratively through a reciprocal relationship. It is critical that professionals are willing and competent to work in a reciprocal relationship with people with disabilities. To avoid traps in the present system concerning the fulfillment of the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities for affected people, the researchers conclude that therapeutic collaboration is an ethical and enabling way forward. Therefore knowledge and knowhow about therapeutic collaboration should be included in occupational therapy curricula.

Keywords:

• Human Rights
• Inclusion
• Reciprocity
• Therapeutic collaboration