Introduction: Equity, a condition where the opportunity for inclusion is available to all, relates to the most core principles of occupational therapy. When we include equitable thinking in our evaluations and interventions, we are more fully engaging our clients holistically, within the contexts within which they exist. This means more explicitly considering factors outside of the body-level factors of our clients. In our presentation, we consider how more precise terminology for contextual and environmental factors inspires equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Consider environment and context factors that impact equity
Use terms from the Typology of Environmental and Contextual Factors (Kirschner et al., 2023) to describe factors impacting equity
Approach: We will present specific terminology from the Typology of Environmental and Contextual Factors that are useful in assessing and addressing environmental and contextual factors that inhibit a person's occupational participation, shifting the culpability from the person that is being excluded to the factors that are excluding them.
Practice Implications: Using this terminology increases the likelihood that environmental and contextual factors will be addressed in our practice. Environmental interventions often serve more than the individual, facilitating equity, inclusion and participation for many in the community.
Significance to the Occupational Therapy Profession: For occupational therapy to inspire equitable, inclusive, and accessible occupational engagement for all people, considering environmental and contextual factors first is an innovative approach that must be forefront in our evaluations and interventions.