Member Resource Library

Integrating diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility into coursework can be challenging. Learn some creative ways to incorporate DEIA into the classroom and take a deep dive into one specific technique.

Read how a patient’s religion, gender, race and socioeconomic status factor into clinical decision-making.

As part of Phase Six of NATA’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access (DEIA) Response Plan, each NATA committee, commission and council was tasked with developing three to five actionable items that support one or more of the six NATA DEIA Commitments. In this NATA Now post, which is part of an ongoing series highlighting these efforts, NATA International Committee Chair Matthew Kutz, PhD, ATC, CSCS, outlines IC’s actionable items, what the committee hopes to achieve and how members can get involved.

Patient values are individual characteristics such as gender, race and ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion and socioeconomic status that can influence health and well-being.

The athletic trainer plays a vital role in reducing barriers to accessing quality health care for all patients, including transgender individuals. Read about key points ATs should know re: transgender health care, and resources to improve their knowledge, awareness and patient care for the population.

The NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee has created the Resources To Support the AAPI Community guide to provide resources for Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) students and allies to encourage further education and support for the AAPI community. This resource has been created by NATA committee members for the purposes of assisting the general membership at large. While we have attempted to provide a resource that is both accurate and reflective of the information available at the time of creation, NATA makes no express or implied representation or warranty as to the information contained herein. NATA and the respective authors shall not be liable nor responsible to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage arising from its use. Athletic trainers should consult and act consistent with all applicable laws, including local and state practice acts, and other rules and policies.

Ensuring leadership is diverse and inclusive (reflective of the association demographics) has been another challenge for many state associations. This includes diversity by race, religion, age, sex, ethnic or national origin, disability, health status, socioeconomic status, sexual orientation, or gender identity. Diversity and inclusion also includes work setting. It is critical for associations to model inclusivity and acceptance by setting appropriate association policies and procedures while advocating for policies supportive of all association members

May 2021 NATA News article (pdf) that reviews what athletic trainers need to know about the impact of race, ethnicity and culture on mental wellness in the patient population and what they can do to support patients.

Being a culturally competent health care provider is not limited to understanding variances in gender identity, race or ethnicity – ATs must also be aware of their patient’s religious values. This type of education and awareness can come from personal experience and/or a proactive effort to increase personal awareness of religious traditions that may vary from the one’s own.

"Microaggressions," November 2020 NATA News article (pdf) that reviews how awareness of and minimizing microaggressions in athletic training clinical practice is a powerful part of being a culturally competent health care provider.

November 2020 NATA News (pdf) that features EDAC Enhancement Grant recipients as they discuss the role ATs play in addressing health care needs of native populations.

November 2020 NATA News (pdf) that discusses why it’s imperative ATs are culturally competent.

NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee Chair Kysha Harriell, PhD, LAT, ATC, wrote an article about why words matter when working with patients who have a disability. In continuation of the topic, Kevin Conley, PhD, ATC, spoke with NATA about his firsthand experience treating patients with disabilities.

NATA Ethnic Diversity Advisory Committee District Four Rep. Samar Long, MSEd, AT, ATC, interviewed Marisha Little, LAT, ATC, and Chris Dake, EdD, LAT, ATC, with the University of West Florida, about their efforts to increase awareness of the athletic training profession on the Navajo Reservation. The duo received two EDAC Diversity Enhancement Grants to support their projects, “Bridging the Cultural Gap Among Navajo High School Students and the Athletic Training Profession” and “Advancing Athletic Training Education on the Navajo Reservation.”