2015 AHEAD Conference Session #3.10

Building Allies: Embedding Disability In Diversity And Social Justice Education

And Training

Office for Equity and Diversity

AgendaIntroductions and Grounding Assumptions

Learning Outcomes

How Disability Resource Center (DRC) Fits in with Diversity Initiatives

OED Certificate Program

Examples Of Workshop Activities

Questions and Answers

Grounding Assumptions for OED Workshops

•The work of equity and diversity is about creating community, which involves building trust through careful listening, respectful disagreement, and taking risks

•We will do our best to be present and minimize distractions

•We respect each other’s confidentiality; pay attention to what is yours to share – and what is not

•We are all doing the best we can

•Growth and learning can be uncomfortable; remember it’s ok to make mistakes - we all doAdapted from Jamie Washington, Washington Consulting Group

Grounding Assumptions for OED Workshops

•Individuals and organizations can – and do – grow and change, but it doesn’t happen overnight

•We always need to practice self awareness: think about when you’re speaking up; think about when you’re not speaking up

•This work is everyone’s responsibility; every person is capable of making equity and diversity a core value in their life

•There are no “quick fixes,” and we don’t have to fix everything

•It’s ok to take care of ourselves; practice forgiveness and letting go, so you can sustain yourself in this work

Adapted from Jamie Washington, Washington Consulting Group

Learning Objectives

Participants will:

•Experience elements of the OED certificate program emphasizing social justice, ally development and multiple identities;

•Recognize how educational initiatives can be customized in various settings and programs to create more inclusive communities.

OED Units

• Business & Community Economic Development• Conflict Resolution• Disability Resource Center• Diversity in Graduate Education• Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, Ally Programs Office• Institute for Diversity, Education and Advocacy• Multicultural Center for Academic Excellence• Northstar STEM Alliance• Women’s Center

About the Office For Equity and Diversity Workshop Certificate Program

The Office for Equity and Diversity offers educational opportunities for individuals, departments, colleges, and units. Workshops focus on a wide range of equity and diversity issues in higher education. They can also be customized for individual unit needs and concerns.

The Equity and Diversity Certificate helps participants develop tools necessary for advancing equity and diversity in all aspects of their personal and professional lives. It’s free of charge and only open to students, faculty and staff on all campuses of the University of Minnesota.

• Offers participants a theoretical framework for understanding equity and diversity work

• Helps participants develop necessary skills for equity and diversity work

• Gives participants direct experience working and communicating across differences

OED Workshops 1 - 10 #1: Being an Ally in the Work of Equity and Diversity

#2: Leadership in the Context of Equity and Diversity

#3: Working Effectively in Groups and Diversity Committees

#4: Communicating on Issues of Equity and Diversity

#5: Engaging Universal Design Concepts to Increase Access and Inclusion

#6: Educating about Equity and Diversity: Facilitating Challenging Conversations

#7: Race, Racism, and Privilege

#8: Breaking the Glass Ceiling: Making the Case for Women’s Equity

#9: Understanding Disability and

Advancing Access

#10: GLBTQ Identities and Communities

Workshops 1 – 10 count toward the Equity and Diversity Certificate and are offered every semester as well as during the summer on the

Twin Cities campus.

Case Scenario

You overhear co-workers discussing the upcoming scholarship program for various underrepresented groups. One of the men says, “So when are there going to be some scholarships targeted to white men?” Another white female states, “Oh, come on, white females don’t have it any better. All of these scholarships are going to students of color or maybe some handicapped or gay students. You have to be a member of those groups to even be considered.”

As a person from one of the underrepresented groups, do you say anything? If so, what would you say or do?

If you are a person not from one of those underrepresented groups, do you say anything? If so, what?

How can we practice ally behavior in this situation?

Attitudinal Environment

Video “Cracking the Codes”

Joy DeGruy

Captioned video from “Cracking the Codes” will be shown.

Questions and Answers

THANK YOU!