The impact of race, sex, gender, disability, and socioeconomic status on health and quality of life has been well established. Now, perhaps more than ever, there is a demand for equitable and timely access to rehabilitation. Incorporating principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into clinical practice and research is essential for addressing the unique needs of rehabilitation clients. There is also a need to critically examine the integration of anti-oppressive and anti-racist frameworks into rehabilitation care. Strategies that promote accessible and affordable participation, health promotion, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration in rehabilitation are also needed.
The impact of gender, sexual orientation, race and religion, and socioeconomic status on rehabilitation service delivery and outcomes is less well known. Within the context of rehabilitation science, we need to understand these differences and illuminate how to better serve equity-deserving groups.
Themes for consideration may include:
The use of technology to augment rehabilitation in equity-deserving groups
Sex and gender-based analyses
Critical race methodology
Policy recommendations
Service delivery and education
Novel methods to identify and mitigate disparities in access and/ or adherence to rehabilitation
Clinical tools that are tailored to address the needs of the equity deserving groups
Intersectionality of power and privilege
The impact of race, sex, gender, disability, and socioeconomic status on health and quality of life has been well established. Now, perhaps more than ever, there is a demand for equitable and timely access to rehabilitation. Incorporating principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility into clinical practice and research is essential for addressing the unique needs of rehabilitation clients. There is also a need to critically examine the integration of anti-oppressive and anti-racist frameworks into rehabilitation care. Strategies that promote accessible and affordable participation, health promotion, technology, and interdisciplinary collaboration in rehabilitation are also needed.
The impact of gender, sexual orientation, race and religion, and socioeconomic status on rehabilitation service delivery and outcomes is less well known. Within the context of rehabilitation science, we need to understand these differences and illuminate how to better serve equity-deserving groups.
Themes for consideration may include:
The use of technology to augment rehabilitation in equity-deserving groups
Sex and gender-based analyses
Critical race methodology
Policy recommendations
Service delivery and education
Novel methods to identify and mitigate disparities in access and/ or adherence to rehabilitation
Clinical tools that are tailored to address the needs of the equity deserving groups
Intersectionality of power and privilege