Culture and Occupation: A Model of Empowerment in Occupational Therapy

In the world of occupational therapy, the concepts of occupational justice, community-based rehabilitation, and health disparities have been introduced and studied. AOTA's Centennial Vision has called for a culturally diverse occupational therapy workforce by 2017, the 100th anniversary of the profession. Also, the first culturally sensitive occupational therapy practice model, the Kawa Model, has been developed to provide a culturally appropriate intervention option for Japanese clients.

The future of health care and of the occupational therapy profession are merging with the realities of this changing world. Becoming culturally competent is a requirement for occupational therapy professionals today, who have opportunities to become leaders as agents for change so that all people, privileged and disadvantaged alike, have equal access to health care, social and political resources, and meaningful occupation. This book provides information, theories, and examples of how this can happen as well as introduces the Cultural Competency Model, which occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants can use to help provide in culturally competent care to all clients.