Beyond Occupational Injustice

Any occupational therapy practitioner knows that we often face tough questions surrounding ethics and justice.

We work in imperfect systems, and each day we see how societal systems favor some, while placing others at a disadvantage.

So, how do we process all of this? And, how do we see ourselves as contributing to the greater good?

One framework that has been taught in many OT schools is “occupational injustice.” But, the article we will review is a critique of this familiar framework. And, instead, it will introduce you to the concept of “capabilities theory.”

To discuss how these big-picture questions impact how you show up as an OT—including how your work can help address unjust systems—we’ll be talking to Antonia Suszek, OTR/L, BCPR.

This course is designed to meet the OT ethics CEU requirements for several states.

1. You will be able to identify the primary critiques of “occupational injustice.”

2. You will be able to recall the basic pillars of “capabilities theory.”

• Intro

• Breakdown and analysis of journal article

  • Why was this paper written?

  • What is occupational injustice?

  • What is the history of occupational injustice?

  • The manifestations of occupational injustice and related critiques:

    • Occupational deprivation

    • Occupational alienation

    • Occupational imbalance

    • Occupational marginalization

    • Occupational apartheid

  • Further overarching critiques

  • Advocating for a focus on occupational rights

  • Advocating for a capabilities approach

  • Authors’ conclusion and recommendations

  • Takeaways for OT practitioners

• Discussion on practical implications for OTs (with guest Antonia Suszek)

  1. Occupational justice is written in our practice framework; should we feel uncomfortable critiquing it?

  2. Do you think that how we think about justice and injustice impacts the way we show up as OTs?

  3. Do you find practical value in the concepts behind occupational injustice?

  4. Did you find capabilities theory to be a helpful framework?

  5. The article seems to imply that self-critique and reflection are essential in pursuing justice; do you think that is true?

  6. What are some practical ways we can show up in a more “just” way for our clients?

  7. What are practical ways we can be involved in changing the systems around us to be more just?

  8. Moving forward, how do you hope to see the concept of justice guiding the occupational therapy profession?

Primary

• Occupational injustice: A critique

Secondary

• Expanding beyond individualism: Engaging critical perspectives on occupation

• Doing Occupational Justice: A Central Dimension of Everyday Occupational Therapy Practice

Supplementary Reading

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations

• Occupational Therapy and Human Rights, WFOT

• Creating Capabilities, Martha Nussbaum

It is the policy of OT Potential to disclose any financial and non-financial interest the provider or instructor may have in a product or service mentioned during an activity. This is to ensure that the audience is made aware of any bias of the speaker.

OT Potential pays guest speakers an honorarium for their participation, either directly or to an institution of the speaker's choosing at their request. We invite guests whose expertise often comes from practices, programs, or building products in their field. Where a speaker has a financial interest in the subject of a course, we disclose it below so you can weigh it for yourself.

OT Potential's interest in this topic: We have no financial stake in this topic.

Speaker interests: Antonia Suszek has no financial interest in this topic to disclose.