Brown Dawn S, Edmonds Chandi
Dawn S. Brown is the board-certified clinical specialist in Orthopaedic Physical Therapy and is an assistant chair of curricular affairs and also is an assistant professor of Department of Physical Therapy and Human Movement Sciences, at Northwestern University, 645N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611 (
Chandi Edmonds is the board-certified clinical specialist in Pediatric Physical Therapy and is an assistant professor of Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Tufts University, 136 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02111.
J Phys Ther Educ. 2025 May 6. doi: 10.1097/JTE.0000000000000416.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are three interrelated and critically important constructs in physical therapy education programs that promote positive learning environments to mitigate discrimination, bias, and various forms of "-isms" including racism, sexism, ableism, and ageism. Unfortunately, a growing number of conservative jurisdictions have introduced or passed anti-DEI laws aimed to restrict the implementation of DEI, belonging, antiracism, and social justice initiatives in higher education, particularly public institutions. The purpose of this position paper is to highlight the reasons why physical therapy education program faculty, both individually and collectively, should be aware of anti-DEI laws and empowered to demonstrate moral courage, or bravery despite risks, to challenge them.
Faculty in physical therapy education programs must confront their professional and personal fears while demonstrating moral courage in response to the growing prevalence of anti-DEI laws at federal levels. Faculty who remain informed about and challenge these anti-DEI laws will enhance their capacity to counter misinformation and misconceptions about DEI to foster diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning environments for students and faculty.
Challenging anti-DEI laws is crucial for fostering diverse, inclusive, and equitable physical therapy education programs that support critical dialogue and understanding. Faculty, both individually and collectively, who confront their fears about challenging these laws will gain the moral courage to take a stance against them. Ultimately, standing against anti-DEI laws not only enriches the learning experience but also strengthens our profession's commitment to DEI, belonging, justice, and antiracism.
多元化、公平与包容（DEI）是物理治疗教育项目中三个相互关联且至关重要的概念，它们有助于营造积极的学习环境，以减轻歧视、偏见以及包括种族主义、性别歧视、能力歧视和年龄歧视在内的各种形式的“主义”。不幸的是，越来越多的保守司法管辖区出台或通过了反DEI法律，旨在限制高等教育，尤其是公立机构中DEI、归属感、反种族主义和社会正义倡议的实施。本立场文件的目的是强调物理治疗教育项目的教师，无论是个人还是集体，都应了解反DEI法律，并被赋予道德勇气，即不顾风险勇敢地挑战这些法律的原因。
物理治疗教育项目的教师必须面对他们的职业和个人恐惧，同时在应对联邦层面反DEI法律日益普遍的情况时展现出道德勇气。了解并挑战这些反DEI法律的教师将增强他们反驳关于DEI的错误信息和误解的能力，从而为学生和教师营造多样化、公平且包容的学习环境。
挑战反DEI法律对于培养支持批判性对话和理解的多样化、包容且公平的物理治疗教育项目至关重要。无论是个人还是集体，面对挑战这些法律的恐惧的教师将获得反对它们的道德勇气。最终，反对反DEI法律不仅丰富了学习体验，还加强了我们专业对DEI、归属感、正义和反种族主义的承诺。
