Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
“I often ask myself, ‘Am I creating space and opportunity for students and colleagues to show up as their authentic selves? Does my presence create a brave space where others can take risks without fear of judgment? Do I display a willingness to be kind and compassionate towards others? Do I listen deeply beyond just words, but to the feelings of others?’ By questioning ourselves and holding ourselves accountable, we each acknowledge that we can be change makers, innovators, and creators within the realm of DEI.”
-Kelisa Wing, Chief of DODEA DEI
Diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to shaping future generations through the action of celebrating, promoting, and creating inclusive school and work environments allowing all people the opportunity to live full, meaningful, and enjoyable lives. As highly mobile military families relocate around the world, their life experiences can change dramatically by world region. Schools and local community organizations need to provide timely resources to incoming military-connected students and families to ensure a level playing field for success. It will take diverse minds, new policies, and strategies across multiple practice fields to ensure lasting change in education, medicine, finance, technology, cyberspace, manufacturing, and government.
What is diversity?
Diversity is the range of human differences that may include race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, socioeconomic status, language, mental or physical ability, age, ethical values, immigration status, learning styles, family structures, or political perspective. Diversity includes individuals with diverse backgrounds or who have disabilities that have been and remain underrepresented among practitioners in the field and marginalized in the broader society (Exec. Order No. 14035, 2021; Department of Defense Education Activity, 2022).
What is equity?
Equity promotes justice, fairness, and impartiality of opportunities and/or resources among the population. Unlike equality, where treatment, procedures, processes, and distribution may be the same, equity recognizes and compensates for the differences in the population (Milken Institute School of Public Health, 2020; Race Matters Institute, 2014). For example, military students with a physical, intellectual, and/or psychological disability should have the same access to federally funded public schools, but they may need specialized care like their own Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan. Military students often face gaps or miss opportunities regarding their education because of their unique situations and/or school policies (MCEC, 2020).
Military families come from a cross-cultural melting pot of different life experiences and may include the intersectionality of other marginalized Identities including students from Black, Latino, Indigenous and Native American communities, Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, or other people of color (Tong et al., 2018). Also consider people from rural areas or of low socioeconomic status, members of religious minorities, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer individuals, or others affected by poverty or inequality. Equity requires an understanding of the root causes of outcome disparities within our society (Exec. Order No. 14035, 2021).
What is inclusion?
Inclusion is the practice of recognition, appreciation, involvement, and empowerment of all peoples to be able to experience a sense of belonging. Establishing a sense of belonging or feelings of connectedness upon enrollment at a new school is critical to students’ academic and overall well-being (Cantor, 2021; Cozza, 2014; MCEC, 2020; National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2019). Inclusion ensures that all feel welcome and able to participate fully in the decision-making processes, development opportunities, and other activities within an organization, community, or group. Inclusion focuses on making sure no one is excluded for reasons like their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or any disability (Exec. Order No. 14035, 2021).
“This has become a national security issue that is set to affect us for decades. Without DEIA in education, we are ensuring more of the same for the next generation of leaders. Without DEIA in our military and other public sectors, we are excluding some of our nation’s best minds from solving our biggest problems. If we look at the problems that lie before us today, we should ask ourselves not only what prioritizing DEIA would accomplish, but what we stand to lose by doing nothing.” ~Curtis Valentine, Deputy Director of the Progressive Policy Institute’s Reinventing America’s School Project
DEIA Conversation Starters with Children and Youth:
Do you find it challenging to talk about diversity and inclusion? There is no perfect way for parents, teachers, or youth serving professionals to have these types of conversations with military kids. You may experience difficult conversations or even make a few mistakes during these conversations; however, the goal is to move forward together. Remember, it is okay to be vulnerable. Here are a few recommendations (NEA Education Justice, 2017; PBS; Sesame Street):
- Keep it simple by explaining diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Follow their lead and answer their questions age-appropriately
- Meet them at their level.
- Ask them questions to facilitate their thinking around diversity.
- Keep an open mind and reserve judgment.
- Let them express themselves, freely.
- Watch educational videos and follow up with a group discussion.
- Read books or stories with diverse characters.
- Watch a movie with equal representation of genders, races, and sexual orientations.
Create Positive Change in Your Community
Virginia 4-H’er Eli shares how the 4-H Tech Changemakers program is changing his life and allowing him to help his…Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Strategic Plan
The DEIA Strategic Plan resource by the Office of the Inspector General comprises goals and specific actions that they believe…What To Do When Experiencing Racism as a Military Member
For military families that have experienced racism.Not for Ourselves Alone
Explore a collection of educational resources related to women’s suffrage and issues raised in “Not for Ourselves Alone,” a film…How to Teach Your Children About Diversity & Inclusion – Inside and Outside of the Classroom
Taking the time to teach your kids about diversity and inclusion is essential.5 Big Ideas
An article about five themes that help children learn about themselves, others, and the world.Standing Against Racism with Affirmations and Self-Care
Protecting the emotional well-being of military children who experience racism.Explaining Race
In this video, Elmo and his new friends Wes and Elijah talk about why people have different skin (and fur!)…Choices Against Racism for Military Families
Let’s talk about racism and how we need to treat each other fairly.Integrating Equitable Principles
Today we have a tremendous opportunity to reimagine our education system by using what we know from the science of…Advancing Racial Equity and Support
Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal GovernmentHow to Teach Your Children About Diversity & Inclusion – Inside and Outside of the Classroom
Taking the time to teach your kids about diversity and inclusion is essential.Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce
Executive Order issued to strengthen the Federal workforce by promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibilityTurnaround for Children
The SoLD Alliance is a field-building resource hub for researchers, practitioners and policymakers.Equitable Learning Library
A collection of resources by Building Equitable Learning EnvironmentsReferences:
Alvarez, B. (2019, January 22). Why social justice in school matters. NEA. https://www.nea.org/advocating-for-change/new-from-nea/why-social justice-school-matters
Cantor, P., Lerner, R. M., Pittman, K. J., Chase, P. A., & Gomperts, N. (2021). Whole-child development, learning, and thriving: A dynamic systems approach. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108954600
Cooperative Extension. (n.d.) Diversity, equity, and inclusion a professional development offering. eXtension Foundation Impact Collaborative. https://dei.extension.org/
Cozza, S. J. (2014). Supporting America’s military children and families. Applied Developmental Science, 18(1), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.1080/10888691.2014.866399
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2022). What is diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)? https://dei.extension.org/
Department of Defense Education Activity (2022, January 5). Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. https://www.dodea.edu/offices/dei/index.cfm
EDJustice (2017). Creating the space to talk about race in your school. National Education Association. https://neaedjustice.org/social-justice issues/racial-justice/talking-about-race/
Exec. Order No. 13985, 86 Fed. Reg. 7009 (Jan 20, 2021). Executive Order 13985 Exec. Order No. 14035, 86 Fed. Reg. 34593 (Jun 25, 2021). https://www.federalregister.gov/executive-order/13985
Federal Reserve. (n.d.) Diversity, equity, and inclusion. Office of the Inspector General. https://oig.federalreserve.gov/diversity-equity-inclusion.htm
Hammond, Z. (2014). Culturally responsive teaching and the brain: Promoting authentic engagement and rigor among culturally and linguistically diverse students. Corwin Press.
Holland, C., Sung, R., & Liu, J. (2022). Integrating Antiracism, Social Justice, and Equity Themes in a Biochemistry Class. Journal of Chemical Education, 99(1), 202-210. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00382
Milken Institute of Public Health (2020, November 5). Equity vs. equality: what’s the difference? The George Washington University. https://onlinepublichealth.gwu.edu/resources/equity-vs-equality/
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2019, July 19). Strengthening the military family readiness system for a changing American Society. The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25380
PBS Kids: For Parents. (n.d.) Talking to Young Children About Race and Racism. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/parents/talking-about-racism
Race Forward. (n.d.) What is racial equity? https://www.raceforward.org/about/what-is-racial-equity-key-concepts
Race Matters Institute. (2014, April 2). Racial equality or racial equity? The difference it makes. JustPartners, Inc. https://viablefuturescenter.org/racemattersinstitute/2014/04/02/racial-equality-or-racial-equity-the-difference-it-makes/
Sensoy, Ö., & DiAngelo, R. (2009). Developing social justice literacy an open letter to our faculty colleagues. Phi Delta Kappan, 90(5), 345 352. https://doi.org/10.1177/003172170909000508
The School of Education at Channel Islands. (n.d.) What is a “social justice framework”? https://education.csuci.edu/about/justice-c conference/faq.htm
Tong, P. K., Payne, L. A., Bond, C. A., Meadows, S. O., Lewis, J. L., Friedman, E. M., & Maksabedian Hernandez, E. J. (2018, October 18). Frequent moves affect military family stability. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RR2304.html
U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.) Department of Education Equity Action Plan. Department of Education Equity Action Plan. https://www.ed.gov/equity
Disclosure Statement: These tools are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
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