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Use ours as an example.

DEI Policy of Creative Solutions for Nonprofits:

Our company is committed to providing a welcoming environment for everyone. We are dedicated to ensuring that the organization is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. 

Our intentions:

• Ensure that implicit bias and its potential consequences are understood and that people of diverse backgrounds are always welcomed and respected.
• Proactively recruit diverse persons to participate in our work and programs, especially People of Color, Veterans, and people with different abilities.
• Be a leader in consciously respecting and valuing everyone, no matter their background, capability, or uniqueness.
• Incorporate our anti-bias philosophy and practices into everything we set out to accomplish, including our outreach and education programs.
• Provide opportunities to foster intercultural competence and global engagement.

 

How is DEI defined?

Diversity:

The inclusion of people from varying racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds; people of different ages, genders, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses; and people with disabilities.”

What does this look like?

A diverse community is a place where everyone has a true sense of belonging, no matter what their differences may be. A place where everyone is open to learning and appreciating the differences, we bring which ultimately strengthens community.

Equity:

“A guarantee of fair treatment, access and opportunity and advancement for all, no matter one’s background or capability.”

What does this look like?

We are all unique individuals, often with different needs. Someone might need glasses to see, another person might need a wheelchair to be mobile. Equity means working together with compassion and understanding of one’s needs and providing support wherever possible.

 

Inclusion:

“A culture where each person is valued, respected, and supported and can achieve their full potential based on their unique qualities and experiences.”

What does this look like?

An inclusive community is a place where everyone has equal opportunity regardless of their circumstances. As an example, my adult son lives with autism spectrum disorder. In his case he occasionally has difficulty with new social interactions, such as making eye contact or having conversations with new people.

However, his employers at the local hospital have created an inclusive working environment for my son and others living with differences. His employers knew that by providing the necessary tools for success, he understands that he does belong, and also able  to contribute to society by working in the hospital’s I/T department.

 

How Can Our Organization Work at Creating Access:

There is a lot that can be accomplished in creating additional access for people with diverse backgrounds:

• Review your policies and practices and consider that is possible and actionable.
• Begin to raise awareness by adopting and educating those around you about diversity, equity and inclusion.
• Move into action by creating strategies that are inclusive by explaining your intentions and implementing your strategies.
• Don’t give up along the path. Just as Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you can until you know better. When you know better, do better”. No matter where you begin, remember it is all about access in creating a caring and inclusive community?

Want to learn more and are you interested in joining a community conversation? Send us an email at info@cs4np.com today for more information.