The theme for this year is how occupational therapy (OT) provides more opportunity and choice to promote a more open and just society. So, how does it accomplish this?
Occupational therapy is an allied health profession that treats physical, mental, developmental, and emotional conditions that impair a patient’s ability to perform daily tasks through the therapeutic use of everyday activities, or occupations. It teaches you adaptability.
The goal of occupational therapy is to help patients regain independence in affected areas of their lives. For example, through OT, children are able to learn positive behaviors and social skills by practicing how they manage frustration and anger. People who aid in this are called occupational therapists. They work in a variety of settings, ranging from hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, school systems and home care agencies.
Most people believe that justice only refers to fairness. In its true sense, justice entails equity. Equity and fairness are the foundations of justice. Fairness is the equal treatment of individuals regardless of their backgrounds, circumstances, or other factors. Equity considers these differences and attempts to place the subjects on the same level. More attention and special treatment will be given to the less fortunate in order to bring them up to the same level as the more fortunate.
Persons with sensory difficulties can achieve the same level as those who do not have the impairment through occupational therapy. A good example is how people with such impairments may struggle with hand-eye co-ordination at school. They may have difficulty copying work from the blackboard in their classrooms.
OT provides opportunities to people who have sensory issues. They are able to function normally thanks to OT. It is critical that such people receive OT. Returning to the previously mentioned example, OT will improve their coordination.
It is critical that institutions work to accommodate people with these disabilities. That would be creating an opportunity. This also promotes the inclusion of such people. They should be accommodated in schools, hospitals, churches, and other settings.
The beauty of OT is that it provides choice. These persons are able to act independently. OT allows them to perform basic tasks which they would not before on their own. For instance, they are able to groom on their own.
By providing both opportunity and choice to persons with sensory difficulties, justice can be done!