Diversity in the Occupational Therapy Profession: a historical perspective, some of my personal reflections on experiences and a story in 6 Tweets @theRCOT @LecturerMish #Diversity

In 1979 I went to Liverpool, a cohort of 100+ students, 5 were mature, older, experienced, Diversity was about Age, older age was good

By 1980’s it was about men, (white men?) Attracting more male OTs as part of striving for recognition as a profession?
#Diversity @theRCOT

In the 1990’s the profession still wanted more men and mature students, but a group of LGBT OTs were perhaps less openly welcomed. They met at COT, but who knew? Who shouted for diversity then? #Diversity

By 2000’s in education we enrolled more students with differences, dyslexia, sensory loss, mental health problems. Sometimes it was hard finding them welcoming placements. Diversity but not always inclusion. #inclusion #Diversity @RCOT_Paul @LecturerMish

In 2017 we became the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, celebrated by many as recognition and success but for some it was alienating and awkward. What did it imply perhaps about inclusion and Social Class I wonder? Did some feel left out? #inclusion

2020 Diversity and BAME, it took SO long?
We have trained lots of BAME students in London. Visible?
In Senior Management? Research? Head of School? RCOT? Retention & career progression matters
40+ years of Diversity where are we, where are we going? #bamebigconversation