A colleague recently said: “We spend our lives trying to convince others to see what we see”; and this really resonated with me.
There are so many aspects in relation to the profession of Occupational Therapy that involves advocacy and educating others about what we see. We advocate for our profession, for treatment, for our patients, for occupational justice, for human rights. I often find myself saying, “How do they not see this?” I’ve come to realise that there are certain things which are blatantly obvious to our OT trained mind that is simply not very obvious to those that do not deal with these things on a daily basis. We need to get right down to the nitty gritty to educate others, to show people what we see; the importance of independence, of occupational freedom.
I went out for lunch with my partner not so long ago to a restaurant we had never been to before. As I arrived, I was met with a step down which led to an extremely steep ramp. I wondered if the step was strategically placed there to act as a break for someone rolling down the dangerously steep ramp? The worst part is that it was newly renovated and these two aspects were apparently new additions! I was absolutely horrified. I suggested we leave (passionate, I know!), and this is when my (hangry) partner became equally horrified! So, we ended up staying for lunch. Our lunch conversation revolved around Accessibility, Human Rights, Building Standards and dodgy non-compliant builders and contractors. By dessert, I think my partner had wished we’d left!
EDUCATE TO ADVOCATE
I came to the conclusion that this isn’t “obvious” to those that don’t deal with these situations on a daily basis. I also realised that the best solution is to “EDUCATE TO ADVOCATE”. If we don’t reason with others and try to explain to others “what we see”, and why we see it as a need for change, we will struggle to advocate for what is right. Know your legislation, get your legislative high heels on, and don’t be afraid to take those dives!
So, my solution to this particular restaurant being incredibly inaccessible is to do a free Accessibility Assessment for them as soon as I am qualified this year as a Certified Professional in Accessibility of the Built Environment. They have been added onto my experience-building Project List and I am excited to EDUCATE TO ADVOCATE for Accessibility!
Although this Advocacy situation revolves around Accessibility; the same applies to other aspects of our profession. It doesn’t have to be a speech to the HPCSA or a presentation to our patient’s MDT. It can simply be a phone call or an email to a colleague, an educational pamphlet etc. We need to continue to advocate for change, whether it be big or small! Sometimes advocacy takes a few minutes; other times it takes years. Sometimes it can be incredibly discouraging when we do not see the results of our efforts in the time frame that we’d like them. But every effort made is valuable; a step in the right direction; building blocks.
Let’s continue to put OT on the map. Advocate for our profession and for our patients! Convince others to see what we see! Plant the seed. Be consistent. Be brave.
