09/04/2025
From the DEIJAB SIS:
September 15th starts Hispanic Heritage Month. In celebration, the DEIJAB SIS would like to honor the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of the Hispanic community — and we reflect on how we, as OT practitioners, can provide care that is inclusive, respectful, and culturally humble.
OT Practitioners are humbly requested to:
Use certified interpreters and avoid relying on family members for translation.
Recognize and incorporate values like familismo, personalismo, and respeto into treatment planning.
Ask about cultural traditions, roles, and health beliefs without making assumptions.
Be aware of immigration-related stress, systemic barriers, and acculturation challenges.
Practice ongoing self-reflection to address personal and systemic biases.
DEIJAB SIS wants to Hear From YOU!
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, the DEIJAB Special Interest Section invites individuals who identify as Hispanic to join our upcoming roundtable discussion to share their experiences, practices, and ideas that can help our community become more knowledgeable and inclusive.
Whether you're an OT practitioner, a patient, or someone who has observed care involving the Hispanic community, we welcome your stories, perspectives, and reflections.
The DEIJAB SIS meets virtually at 7:00 pm EST on the third Wednesday of each month. This month's meeting is scheduled for September 17th. Live Captions will be available. Please ask if there are any other accommodations we can provide.
To join or for more information, email VicePresident@MiOTA.org
