The use of disability studies theory to critically appraise occupational therapy practice

Service provision with people with disabilities is often implicitly influenced by the operative paradigms in the health and social care service context (e.g. the medical or social models of disability). At times, people with disabilities find these practices to be oppressive and disempowering (Abberley 2004, Shakespeare 2006), particularly when they are insensitive to their worldview and lived experience of disability. Occupational therapists have begun to recognise the importance of disability studies theory for occupational therapy practice (Kielhofner 2005, Taylor 2001, Collins 2009) and its use when they engage in critically reflective practice to promote clientcentred, culturally competent and empowering services for people with disabilities. Methods This session aims to enable participants to critically reflect on occupational therapy practice with people with disabilities, using disability theory. To achieve this, the facilitators will utilise structured brainstorming, a reflective tool and narrative strategies to visually ‘plot’ the impact of different models of disability on practice in the past, present and project to the future. Results This workshop aims to be a practical session, equipping participants with reflective tools to enable them to appraise their practice with people with disabilities through the use of disability studies theory. Issues for service users Culturally competent, client-centred occupational therapy practice is fundamental to the attainment of occupational and social justice for people with disabilities. Implications for occupational therapy This session will contribute positively to culturally competent, client-centred occupational therapy practice with people with disabilities