Welcome to the Occupational Therapy Cultural Competency Resource Guide.

   This guide is a useful resource for occupational therapy students, practicing occupational therapists, educators, as well as other healthcare professionals. We encourage you to explore the information and materials presented. If you are looking for information on a specific population, please select the corresponding link above for a list of additional information. If the cultural group you are looking for is not specifically outlined, you may find the additional resources such as websites, books, videos, and journals useful. Many of the resources provide valuable information that may be applied across a variety of situations. In order to ensure we are providing accurate and relevant information, we have made every attempt to comprise credible resources. We hope to facilitate your cultural knowledge and skills that are vital in becoming a culturally competent occupational therapist. Please click here for the purpose/goal of this website.

Definition of Cultural Competency
The definition of culture and cultural competency varies throughout current literature. For purposes of this site, the definition by Bonder (2004) and Wells & Black (2000) will be used. Bonder defines culture as “a ‘blueprint’ for human behavior, influencing individual thoughts, actions and collectively influencing a particular society” (2004, p. 160). To be a cultural competent therapist one must take on another person’s perspective. “Cultural competency is about responding to cues, developing an attitude of openness, and developing an ability to listen without interpretation” (Wells & Black, 2000, p. ix).

The Importance of Cultural Competency in Occupational Therapy
One’s culture ultimately affects views on health care and the decision making process, which in turn influences the quality of care and recovery time of the patient. Medical professionals are increasingly being called upon to demonstrate clinical understanding of culture while treating clients. According to the United States Census Bureau, “Ethnic minorities now comprise about 30% of the population, and demographic trends show that they will become the majority by the year 2050". Occupational therapists must develop cultural competency in order to deliver quality, client-centered care to all clients.

Organization of Website
Please choose from the links above to pursue more information about a cultural group that you are interested in. Once you have chosen that group, you will find a list of books, videos, scholarly journals, and internet websites to further direct your search for credible information. We have also included checklists, that you may find helpful, to help the therapeutic process between you and your client. We hope you find the site useful in narrowing your search for information and providing client-centered occupational therapy practice.