ILOTA 2025 Course – Cultural Competency Training

“Advancing Culturally Relevant Care in Occupational Therapy: Competency, Humility and Sensitivity in Practice”

Description:

This course fulfills the IDFPR cultural competency training requirement to maintain OT licensure in the state of Illinois.

Occupational therapy practice, research, and education are strengthened when practitioners embrace culturally responsive approaches. Developing cultural humility entails an ongoing commitment to reflective behaviors, inclusive attitudes, and adaptable processes that foster meaningful collaboration across diverse cultural contexts. This course invites participants to expand their knowledge, skills, and self-awareness to enhance cultural responsiveness and deliver equitable, person-centered care.

Although “culturally relevant care” is the more contemporary and preferred term, this CEU intentionally incorporates the term cultural competence to align with Illinois licensure requirements. The training also examines related concepts, including cultural humility, sensitivity, and relevance, while explaining the importance of using these terms in practice.

Grounded in evidence, this course highlights how cultural identities, values, and experiences influence occupational engagement and health outcomes. Attendees will gain practical insights from Illinois occupational therapy practitioners who share how they integrate culturally relevant care into their work, as well as from certified language interpreters who will discuss practical strategies for collaborating with clients who use a primary language other than English. Through guided reflection and actionable tools, occupational therapy practitioners will refine their capacity to deliver inclusive, culturally responsive care that strengthens therapeutic relationships and advances occupational participation.

Learning Objectives:

1   - Distinguish cultural competency, cultural humility, and cultural sensitivity and explain its relevance and importance in occupational therapy practice.

2   - Identify and describe the integrated attitudes, knowledge, and skills required to deliver effective and equitable care to patients from various cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds.

3   - Analyze and address cultural differences in occupational therapy assessments, interventions, and therapeutic relationships to promote culturally responsive care. 

4   - Develop and apply practical strategies to enhance personal and organizational cultural competence, including reflective practices, patient-centered communication, and continuous learning mindsets. 

Speakers:

Dalmina Arias, OTD, OTR/L

Margaret (Peggy) Grill, OTD, OTR/L

Elizabeth (Liz) Wanka, DrOT, MOT, OTR/L