Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee

The mission of the NCOTA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is to support an increase in the diversity of OT in North Carolina; to help address issues of inequity experiences by practitioners, their clients, and the larger community; and to facilitate a climate of true inclusiveness and collegiality for all North Carolina occupational therapy practitioners. 

We aim to fulfill this mission through activities in three primary initiatives: 

• Community Outreach: Education about and promotion of OT in community venues such as schools, health, recreational, and human services organizations, etc, particularly for rural, underserved, low-income, and minority populations. 
• OT/OTA Educational Institutions: Provision of resources and other supports for OT/OTA educational programs to recruit and admit larger numbers of students from rural, low-income, and minority populations. 
• Community In-Reach: Targeting OT/OTA practitioners, provision of opportunities to learn about and reflect upon the historical, social, economic, educational, and political systems that have created and sustained significant health disparities for minority populations, and limited the diversity in health professions.  This includes explicit attention to anti-racist actions and the role of OT in addressing issues of social injustice. 

If you are interested in joining the committee or even just helping out on an "as needed" basis, we invite you to join us in a way that fits your interests, talents, and availability of time and energy.  Please complete the survey attached here, and we will be in touch with you! 

Resources

For a list of resources related to Race, Racism, and Racial Inequity, please click HERE. 

 To contribute to an ongoing list of resources related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for all minorities and underrepresented groups, please go to: Google Doc

  Recently, language and actions taken by an individual in our leadership have sparked concern. These actions were carried out in a personal capacity and do not reflect the opinions or values of the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association. NCOTA stands as a distinct entity that is separate from any individual actions or views.   

  Our board felt that NCOTA should clearly state its values. At NCOTA, we are deeply committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all. As outlined in our DEI statement, we strive to create a space where every voice feels heard and respected, where we actively listen to diverse perspectives, and where we continue to promote understanding and respect in our profession. We recognize that harm has been felt, and we take that seriously.

   We took time to consider our response carefully and have engaged in thoughtful discussions with our leadership and DEI Committee Chair to provide recommended actions that reflect our commitment to NCOTA’s values. As part of our strategic efforts, we will continue our annual DEI training provided to the entire board and equip our DEI Committee with resources to support this ongoing work. We will also engage in an active review of our equity policy and stay committed to promoting respect of all individuals within our profession.

  We welcome further dialogue and encourage you to reach out with concerns or recommendations. Our leadership is here to listen, and if you would like to support these efforts, we have numerous board positions and committees that remain open, including the DEI chair in January. We are sad to say goodbye to our current DEI Chair, Julius, and wish him luck on his next adventure in South Carolina. You can contact them at [email protected]. Additionally, we invite you to review this statement, which will be posted on our website as soon as possible.

  Thank you for your understanding and commitment to advancing an inclusive and
respectful occupational therapy community. We are excited to support efforts that prove
we can change what’s possible, and we hope you have a wonderful conference.