Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The Ontario Society of Occupational Therapists is dedicated to supporting the profession to fully commit to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Here are resources to promote awareness of, and reflection on, the issues and history of racism, discrimination, and oppression to promote change in ourselves and the systems in which we work.

• OSOT's commitment to diversity and inclusion
• OSOT's Living a Commitment to Principles of Diversity and Inclusion Association Audit - conducted every three years. 
• Download PDF of Racism, Discrimination and Injustice and Occupational Therapy
• College of Occupational Therapists of Ontario's (COTO's) Code of Ethics which highlights the core values of respect and trust and the principle of practice fairness - practice justice and equity in dealings with others.
• Call it Out: Racism, Discrimination and Human Rights - Ontario Human Rights Commission (e-learning module)
• Ontario Health: Equity, Inclusion, Diversity and Anti-Racism Framework
• Inclusion Starts with I (short video) - Show leadership and determination to enact positive change by eradicating historic inequities ingrained in our society and institutions. This video gets us thinking. 
• Take stock of our current behaviours and attitudes. Implicit Bias Module Series (Module 1 - 3 video lessons); White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack - Peggy McIntosh (Self-reflection quiz applicable to identify different types of privilege)
• Policy Options Podcast - Systemic racism in Canadian health care
• Systemic Racism in Canadian Healthcare - a Podcast with Dr. Alika Lafontaine, an Indigenous Physician and Chair of the Governance Council of the Canadian Medical Association Journal
• Health Quality Ontario’s Health Equity Plan
• Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (J.E.D.I.) Toolkit
• Trans Health Mentorship Call - Rainbow Health Ontario
• Rethinking Cultural Competence: Embracing Cultural Humility and Responsiveness in Healthcare
• Supporting Newcomers and Refugees: How to Get Started | OT Start-Up Manual | Queen's University
• Supporting Refugees: How to Get Started | OSOT Webinar

Indigenous Peoples, Truth and Reconciliation

• Occupational Therapy Statement of Commitment to Indigenous Peoples in Canada | September 2023
• Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls for Action - 94 recommendations for Canada-wide attention
• Canada’s Residential Schools: the History - a two-report series on the history of residential schools
• National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation - The NCTR is a place of learning and dialogue where the truths of the residential school experience will be honoured and kept safe for future generations.
• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation 
• Towards a New Relationship: Toolkit for Reconciliation/Decolonization of Social Work Practice at the Individual, Workplace and Community Level – prepared by the Indigenous Working Group of the British Columbia Association of Social Workers
• Indigenous Allyship Toolkit – a guide honouring culture, authentic collaboration, and addressing discrimination
• Indigenous Canada - a complimentary online course that explores Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada.
• Bringing Reconciliation to Healthcare in Canada: Wise practices for healthcare leaders - discusses critical issues facing Indigenous Peoples in Canada, and the role that Canadian health leaders play in helping to close the health gap. It also presents wise practices for health leaders and organizations to address the health-related Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) based on a literature review, interviews with key stakeholders, and case studies of several health care organizations.
• Health Equity in Northern Ontario, Health Quality Ontario 

Additional Resources - History and Current Events Affect the Present

• Black History in Canada - Canadian Encyclopedia
• Canadian Museum for Human Rights - Slavery in Canada
• Generational Impact on Black Youth (CBC video 22:34)
• An Indigenous perspective - How to Change Systemic Racism in Canada (TVO video 5:07)
• Impact of Colonialism - Roots of Racism (video 9:10)
• Indigenous History Canada
• Indigenous Intergenerational trauma (video 2:19)
• Japanese Canadian History
• The History of Chinese Immigrants in Canada (video 6:52)
• Anti-Asian racism - Understanding the Impact of COVID-19 on the Asian Community