Driving social change: Occupational therapists’ contributions to occupational justice

Abstract

The World Federation of Occupational Therapists Position Statement on Human Rights frames the contribution that occupational therapists make to society in terms of promoting participation and inclusion for all people. Reaching beyond accepted practice, where bodily concerns are often the focus, this commentary draws on accounts of practice shared in the literature and at human rights workshops internationally. It outlines proposed revisions to the Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists to incorporate human rights, by having every curriculum address what occupational therapists will do to advance occupational justice. This will be achieved as each of us recognises that justice is fundamental to an occupational perspective of health, and take up a “can do” attitude to promoting human rights in everyday practice.

Keywords:

• Human rights
• Inclusion
• Scope of practice
• Critical reflection
• Education