Alaa Abou-Arab OTD, OT/L
Hey! I am Alaa, Co-founder of kNOwBiaS, a long-time activist rooted in anti-war, anti-oppression, and anti-racism. I was born and raised in a small town in Ohio by my immigrant Lebanese parents. I received my occupational therapy training in Philadelphia, PA and later obtained my Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Teaching in Higher Education Certificate from Temple University. My research involved exploring racial bias in the field of occupational therapy.
My personal and professional experiences have given him a unique and genuine expertise to the intersections of race, health, culture, and justice. When you’re ready to show up for your [colleagues/students/employees] of color and make good on your professional oath to equality and to do no harm, I want to hear from you. Our leadership consultations and anti-oppression workshops could mean that you are better able to address racism, bias, and oppression in your institution, and facilitate powerful discussions that truly embrace justice for all, and can ultimately change and save lives.
Featured Here:
Author
UnCommon OT Series
UnCommon OT Series
Delving into the diverse experiences of minoritised occupational therapists, this book contributes to the increasingly critical need for cultural humility in healthcare and discusses difficult topics surrounding culture, race, and religion with clarity and humanity.
UnCommon OT Series
UnCommon OT Series
UnCommon OT Series
In this episode, we will learn from Dr. Erica Herrera, OTD, OTR/L, CHT & Dr. Alaa Abou-Arab, OTD, OTR/L. Co-Authors of Occupational Identity.
Dr. thOTs Podcast
UnCommon OT Series
A smart, driven, and fabulous podcast by Drs. Ryan Lavalley and Khalilah Johnson where sometimes it’s about occupation and sometimes it’s just sassy.
Alaa Abou-Arab from kNOwBiaS, LLC on the podcast this week and dive into the difficult work of speaking truth into the occupational therapy profession and beyond.
Author Book Chapter!!
This comprehensive text guides occupational therapy practitioners in applying trauma-informed care with their clients across contexts with evidence-based models of assessment and intervention.
Chapter 13. Trauma-Informed Care: Historical and Modern Implications of Racism and the Engagement in Meaningful Activities
Original Research!
Alaa's original research presentation at AOTA INSPIRE 2021 and Abstract published by the American Journal Of Occupational Therapy.
Labor Leadership: National Public Radio (NPR)
Alaa is a labor leader with United Nurses Association of California/United Healthcare Professionals Union. He was a media spokesperson during bargaining efforts in late 2021. Here he is featured on All Things Considered.
International Speaker
Military occupation… forced relocation… massacres of its native people… cultural deletion…. An educational discussion on the relationships between these settler colonialist ideologies.