Process of infusing social justice into the practice framework: A case study

The dynamic and ever-changing health care environment requires occupational therapy practitioners to examine how the profession's philosophy, values, and beliefs are incorporated into their everyday practice. Occupational therapy is based on the premise that people live healthy lives and experience well-being through participation in meaningful occupations that help to fulfill their obligations to self, family, and community. However, some clients experience social barriers to occupational participation. These barriers may be due to personal choices or factors outside of their control. As a matter of social justice, practitioners are obligated to identify and eliminate these obstacles to enable their clients to participate fully in their social roles. The Occupational Therapy Practice Framework: Domain and Process (Framework) (American Occupational Therapy Association, 2002) guides practitioners to attend to the multiple contexts and underlying justice issues that influence occupational and social participation. The case study within this article illustrates a decision-making process that blends justice perspectives into the Framework process model. The authors deliberately chose a "medical" case to elucidate the point that regardless of the context of service delivery, when occupational therapy services are rooted in a justice-driven approach, it is possible to assist clients to transcend social and occupational barriers and thus enhance their social participation, health, and well-being.