Diverse-OT: National Board

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Diverse-OT: National Board

ABOUT US
→Diverse-OT is an organization created by licensed occupational therapists.

Diverse-OT is a non-profit organization that envisions a field of future occupational therapists who practice with cultural responsiveness and integrate principles of equity and inclusion in all they do. Diverse-OT is dedicated to enhancing the field of occupational therapy by providing opportunities to:

→Integrate equity and cultural responsiveness into the occupational therapy student experienc

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→Develop and support the recruitment of underrepresented students into occupational therapy programs through community outreach and mentoring

OUR MISSION
→Diverse-OT Corp. aims to advance the cultural climate within the occupational therapy profession. We strive to foster a strong community of critically reflexive occupational therapists and students equipped with the knowledge and skills to provide culturally relevant care to individuals, populations, and communities that they serve.

→As client populations continue to become increasingly diverse, culturally responsive practitioners are essential. Occupational therapists must practice with cultural humility and continuously analyze how socio-cultural assumptions, social positions, and biases intersect with client choices and freedoms. To accomplish this mission, Diverse-OT strives to:
→Recruit and retain underrepresented students into occupational therapy programs
→Increase occupational therapists’ and students’ knowledge of culturally responsive concepts and how to navigate crucial conversations with colleagues or classmates
→Emphasize the importance of reflection of the larger picture to promote awareness of how we operate within a system
→Create affirming work or learning environments in which all people are free to express themselves and are provided equal access and fair treatment

OUR VISION
→We envision a field of future occupational therapists who practice with cultural responsiveness and integrate principles of equity and inclusion in all they do. OUR VALUES
Our work will be guided and informed by our beliefs and commitments to:
→Advocacy – we strive to influence decisions within political, economic, and social institutions.
→Empowerment – we are committed to empowering the new generation of occupational therapists and the communities that we serve.
→Culturally Relevant Care – we respect individuals, communities, and populations, value diversity, and are committed to equity.
→Occupational Justice – we believe that all individuals have the right to participate in diverse and meaningful occupations.
→Community Partnerships – we are committed to a culture of teamwork and collaboration.

08/03/2026

Word of the Week (WOW):

Diverse OT repost from January 2021: "Being radical is a choice, and it takes work. A person with a marginalized identity can engage in conservative, oppressive political work, and activists, organizers, and intellectuals living under capitalism, colonialism, anti-Black racism, and patriarchy require years of unlearning or decolonization." -Charlene Carruthers, Unapologetic: A Black, Q***r, and Feminist Mandate for Radical Movements

Accessible caption: Teal backdrop with a search bar that contains the text, "What is decolonization?” A white box contains the text, Decolonization [noun] the active resistance against colonial powers and a shifting of power towards acquisition of our own political, economic, educational, cultural, psychic independence and power. This process occurs politically and also applies to personal and societal psychic, cultural, political, agricultural, and educational deconsrucction of colonia oppression. At bottom of graphic is the text: Word of the Week: Diverse-OT National

04/13/2026

REGISTER HERE FOR FREE CEs: www.givebutter.com/DOTGBM

Join Diverse-OT National for our general body meeting on May 16, 2026 starting at 12 PM CST. Our guest speaker will be Cam Kaplan who will be presenting his work “Cultural Relativism As a Practice: Defamiliarization and Decentering Cultural Assumptions.”

This session invites participants into a conversation around cultural relativism and its practical application in understanding and challenging the unquestioned expectations that shape our professional environments.

The course was originally developed to support teachers in bridging the gap between their intentions for inclusion and the lived racialized experiences of their students and colleagues.

This is a straightforward and practical exploration of philosophical concepts such as double-consciousness, defamiliarization, and cultural norms, which I hope will be instructive in supporting OTs as well, since both teachers and OTs deal with positions of power over students/patients which may be complicated by unspoken cultural norms, expectations, and racialized assumptions.

About the Educator:
Cam Kaplan is a high school English teacher whose research focuses on the intersection of Race Studies, Q***r Theory, and teaching. His particular areas of interest are Afrofuturism, culturally responsive teaching, and factors influencing students’ motivation to write.

Diverse-OT National is proud to offer all events & continuing education courses on a donation basis. Your donations allow us to keep our events accessible to all. We believe this is an act of mutual aid. Educational opportunities should not be kept behind a paywall. _______________________________________________________
Diverse-OT National is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and your donations are tax-deductible.

02/02/2026

01/12/2026

Registration Link in Bio! ⁠
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Join us on February 8, 2026 as we kick off Black History Month! “Where Are the Black OTs” is a two-part half-day workshop that will examine the historical roots of racism in the United States, its influence of the development of occupational therapy practice and its ongoing effects on the profession today. ⁠
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Additionally, this workshop will explore the rich history of Black American people, their contributions to the OT profession and highlight various Black professional OT organizations and the meaningful work they engage in. ⁠
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Attendees will have an opportunities to engage in deep discussion, reflection, and action steps to take to address systemic racism and oppression in education, clinical practice, and our daily lives. ⁠⁠⁠
TAKE AWAYS⁠
✔️ 8 CE / PDU Credits ⁠
✔️ Action Packs - Guides for taking action in OT education & practice ⁠
✔️ Occupational Justice resources ⁠
✔️Recording of the session ⁠
✔️Invitation to community action committee for sustained advocacy ⁠⁠⁠
COST: $100* suggested donation, use code ACCESS4ALL for free registration. Register at: WWW.GIVEBUTTER.COM/DIVERSEOT ⁠⁠⁠
Like our work? Want to help keep our events FREE and ACCESSIBLE for ALL? Donate here: www.givebutter.com/diverseot ⁠
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ATL TEXT: Black background with red, yellow, and green overlay and DOT logo at top and WOTA CE approval logo in bottom left corner. “Advocacy in Action Week #1. Earn Four CE Credits. Where Are All the Black OTs?: A Brief History of White Supremacy in the United States. February 8th & 15th at 11 AM CST. Cost: $100 (suggested donation). www.givebutter.com/diverseot

01/09/2026

As ICE, CBP, and other federal agents become more emboldened to murder with impunity. It is important for us to come together, know our rights, and have a plan for how we can keep each other safe.

11/21/2025

November is Native American Heritage Month, reminding us that culturally informed care is essential in occupational therapy.
As OTs, we must stay curious, culturally aware, and willing to learn from the people we serve.

11/01/2025

As the government shutdown continues and EBT benefits are being cut off, our communities are facing an escalating crisis of food insecurity.

For many of our patients, clients, and students — access to food isn’t just about nutrition. It’s about participation, dignity, and survival. When families can’t access meals, it affects health, school, work, and the ability to engage in daily life — the very core of occupational therapy practice.

As OTs, we have an ethical responsibility to: - Screen for food insecurity and its impact on health and ADLs - Collaborate across disciplines to connect clients with resources - Advocate for systemic change that centers justice and human rights

Food insecurity is not inevitable — it’s political.  

10/31/2025

Join Diverse OT national for a screening of The Reason I Jump — part of our Reading for the Revolution series — as we explore neurodiversity, communication, and occupational justice.
Nov 19, 2025 | 6 PM CST 🔗 Registration link in bio! 

10/29/2025

We’re facing increased ICE raids, political violence, and fear — but through community, solidarity, and action, we can protect each other and fight back.
This post is just a short version of our upcoming presentation October 30th
Together we’ll cover:
What ICE is and how it impacts our communities

-Your rights if confronted by ICE
- How to protect patients, clients, and students
- How to organize, resist, and build mutual aid
Let’s get informed, connected, and ready to act.
🔗 Register through the link in our bio!

Address

1801 N Broad St
Philadelphia, PA
19122

Website

http://diverse-ot.com/

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