OTnews July | Page 42

So one year on , how are we doing ?

Well , we still have a long way to go , but we are proud of everything achieved so far . We now run a monthly virtual support group for any occupational therapists and students who identify as disabled / long-term health conditions , over Zoom , every third Thursday of the month .

These are a safe place to come and discuss your experiences and seek advice . We cannot disclose what people have shared in these sessions , other than to say that , sadly , the occupational therapy profession has a long way to go before it can claim to be an inclusive one .

We have been working with Ketan Davé , RCOT ’ s Equity , Diversity and Belonging Manager , to set up a steering group to advise RCOT and work towards occupational therapy fully embracing a more inclusive and supportive culture , which welcomes and positively supports those with lived experience of disability / longterm health conditions within the profession .

Our other main focus this year has been about getting known as an organisation and resource by running , collaborating and contributing to many learning events . You can find more information about these events on our website , but here are some highlights :

• 15 June 2022 : the team facilitated a roundtable session at the RCOT Annual Conference . We asked five questions to the audience to generate discussion about ableism with the profession .

• 20 April 2022 : AbleOTUK collaborated with RCOT to host an Equity , Diversity and Belonging Insights session , delivered by Dr Wendy Bryant , which challenged the profession about its treatment of those within the profession that identify with disabilities .

• 25 November 2021 : Georgia Vine , along with other members of the BAMEOTUK and LGBTQIA + OTUK affinity groups , presented a session at The OT Show .

• 1 October 2021 : Georgia Vine and Susan Griffiths hosted an Equality and Diversity session at the RCOT Specialist Section – Children , Young People and Families virtual conference , # CYPF21 .

• Throughout July 2022 , AbleOTUK will be celebrating and promoting Disability Pride Month . Check out our social media platforms for 31 tips on how to be an ally , among other things .

Over the next few years , as well as continuing to develop CPD events , we want to focus on developing resources and working with universities to ensure student occupational therapies get the experiences they deserve whilst on placement .

If you would like us to talk at an event you are hosting then please get in touch , but please note all members of the team do this solely on a voluntary basis and we have no funding to attend events .

Definition of ableism Discrimination and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior . At its heart , ableism is rooted in the assumption that disabled people require ‘ fixing ’ and defines people by their disability .

Definition of ally and allyship Someone who helps and supports other people who are part of a group that is treated badly or unfairly , although they are not themselves a member of this group . Cambridge English dictionary .