Mathew , from the University of Salford , to codevelop , co-produce and co-deliver educational materials and content .
These facilitated active engagement in critical discussion , debate and reflection of topics that do and will impact students ’ everyday practice with peers , colleagues and people who access services .
Through exploration of the lived experiences of those involved , students were encouraged to explore the history , literature and evidence of health and social care provision , with consideration of professional and government body positions – including the NHS , the Health and Care Professions Council and RCOT – as well as their own personal and professional positions .
Supporting students to feel safe in their learning space was essential to allow exploration in what was likely to be unfamiliar and possibly uncomfortable territories , given the identified learning gaps and aims to open students ’ eyes and develop creative courage to act .
This article therefore offers a reflective account and perspective from all co-producers involved with the development and delivery of material and our occupational therapy students .
ABLEOTUK : exploring ablism
AbleOTUK was delighted to be asked to host a session getting students to think about those with lived experiences of disability and or longterm health conditions within the profession . While we have a developed workshop for use at other universities , this workshop was tailored to the needs of this student group .
Our session focused on AbleOTUK exploring ableism , activism and allyship . Asking the students to first reflect what they thought the word ableism meant , we developed the conversation to define ableism and explore different forms of ableism , such as medical ableism , rooted in the idea that disability of any kind is a problem that needs fixing .
When this is part of medical teaching and health policy , it affects the entire healthcare system and the wellbeing of patients .
We shared our lived experience of the effects of ableism within occupational therapy towards occupational therapists with lived experience and facilitated some case study group work to allow students to explore ablism and ableist assumptions and acts in more detail .
Students were asked to consider reasonable adjustment and how to change ideas and cultures to embrace diversity . Being able to deliver this session online was really useful and inclusive , as for us , travel is an extra challenge and use of energy and gave a real example of a reasonable adjustment to illustrate our discussions .
Discussion explored the roots of our profession in activism and social change movements and how , as occupational therapists
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December 2023 OTnews 21