Affiliations: Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health
and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260,
USA | Boston University, Sargent College of Health and
Rehabilitation Sciences Boston, MA, USA
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Nancy A. Baker, 152 Lloyd Avenue,
Pittsburgh, PA 15218, USA. Tel.: +1 412 383 6607; Fax: +1 412 383 6613; E-mail:
[email protected]
Abstract: Although working is considered by occupational therapy practitioners
to be an important life role, there is very little information about the nature
of working in the occupational therapy literature. This article reviews the
construct of working in three ways: 1) The history of working and how it has
shaped the modern beliefs about working; 2) The nature of working; and 3) The
health promoting attributes of working. The paper will also discuss research
done on how working is viewed by individuals with disabilities and will touch
on some of the implications of the cultural bias in the workplace toward
workers with disabilities. Through this increased knowledge of the nature of
working, occupational therapy practitioners and other vocational rehabilitation
professionals will be better equipped to break down the subtle cultural
barriers, and help individuals with disabilities to participate in working.
