Building the Right Foundation
Overview
Strategies & Guides
Before you embark on your DEI and A journey, itβs important that organizational leaders come together to uncover their and the organizationβs readiness to BEGIN the journey. Identifying the process, the right resources, the funding needed, and the timeline is a critical first step. THEN you can begin to drive your DEIA journey!
While many organizations have prioritized meaningful diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) work, some still struggle to develop a full strategy and operationalize DEI throughout the organization. Letβs start at the beginning and work forward.
The DEI committee or council must obtain executive leadershipβs buy-in, which is influenced by a voice within their ranks. Letβs walk thru ways to get a busy executive to dedicate some of their extremely valuable time and resources to help drive DEI throughout the organization.
Forming a DEI committee is a foundational step in creating organizational change thru your DEI journey. It also signals to your staff that youβre taking DEI seriously. Follow this guide to understand, not only the HOW, but the what and why of your DEI engagement strategy.
To have a successful DEI program, you must determine where you are going. Β Casting a vision for your DEI pathway goes beyond setting measurable benchmarks; it includes for growth and sustainability, employee engagement, addressing community needs and more.
DEI efforts cannot be successful without putting resources behind the work, which has a cost attached. You must consider the people requirements, learning programs, strategic planning, events, consultant fees and other less tangible requirements.
Have you heard of DEAI? And do you understand when your Diversity, Equity and Inclusion focus should include βAccessibilityβ? And whatβs the difference? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 61 million adults (or one in four people) in the U.S. has a disability, but theyβre often left out of the strategy and conversation. Itβs time to include accessibility!
Video Resources
Making a Case for DEIA & the Will to Change
Lesson notes
Are your leaders ready to change their hearts, their minds, their perspectives when it comes to the importance of DEIA and B? Following along with our Deconstructing Diversity online training program as we encourage you to dig deep into the origin of your belief system. Understanding that all have different values, we have a solid case for DEIA and when building and embracing cultures of inclusion and belonging, leaders must meet their conflicting beliefs and biases head-on.
Resources
Why Diversity Matters?
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Lesson notes
Data suggests that having a diverse talent pool has many business benefits, which is important. However, the impact on your most precious resource, your people, is what drives your business success and your thriving culture. Diversity Matters!
Resources
Overcoming Objections to Implementing a DEIA Program
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Lesson notes
Sometimes employees might resist, the company implementing DEI. Letβs look at strategies for addressing employee resistance to diversity, equity and inclusion. Letβs talk strategies on how you can help employees see the value and clear benefits of DEI in a way that will be universally accepted.
Resources
DEI Terminology, Frequently Misunderstood Vocabulary
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Lesson notes
If you want to walk the walk, you must first understand the talk as you work to achieve DEI goals. There are terms that many believe are interchangeable, but they are not. Shared terminology is key to the team speaking the same language and moving in the same direction.
Resources
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