AUCD - 2014 Pre-conference Workshop 7

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Diversity Unleashed: the Power of Engaging Everyone!

Sunday, November 9, 2014 12:30 PM - 3:00 PM

Location: Meeting Room 16

Session Description

The true measure of inclusion rests on the contributions of unique cultures, experiences, and abilities from the meaningful participation of diverse faculty, staff, and trainees. While diversity initiatives are frequently concerned with racial and ethnic backgrounds, it is so much more inclusive to acknowledge that age, gender/gender identity, all abilities, faiths, sexual orientation, and other characteristics create a successful network. How do we leverage the talents and skills of individuals, from trainees to leadership, who will contribute from their particular experiences?

This "knowledge exchange" workshop will empower participants to serve as credible stakeholders who will share promising practices, and strategies used to diversify faculty, staff and trainees; create culturally responsive projects, products, and activities; and contribute to the development of the diverse communities in which we live and work. The discussion will also encourage open and honest dialogue on the challenges we all face to embrace and institutionalize diversity. Key speakers and facilitators, recognized champions who have contributed to creating inclusive systems, will lend their insight and guidance to the discussion. Participants will develop tangible and replicable strategies, discuss challenges and solutions, and contribute to a dynamic "living document" which will continue to serve as a valuable resource to the AUCD network.

Discussion and learning will focus on identifying and creating strategies that will improve participants' competencies and thus enhance inclusion within AUCD's network in three core areas:

1. Faculty, Staff and Trainees
   Recruit, support and retain individuals who represent diversity in race, culture, religion, abilities, age, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, and other characteristics
2. Research, Services, Programs and Products
   Create, conduct and disseminate accessible and culturally responsive research, programs and products with a diverse population, ensuring the involvement of traditionally underrepresented and unserved communities.
3. Communities
   Share and contribute to the economic and social development of our diverse communities through partnerships, joint programs, employment and learning opportunities, and civic engagement activities.

Featured Presenter(s)

• Day Al-Mohamed, JD. President: LEAD ON NETWORK. Washington, DC
• Tanisha T. Clarke, MPH. Program Specialist: Association of University Centers on Disabilities (AUCD). Silver Spring, MD
• Wendy S. Harbour, Ed.D. Co-Principal Investigator: HBCU Disability Consortium, Syracuse University. Syracuse, NY
• Harold L. Kleinert, Ed.D. Executive Director: Human Development Institute, University of Kentucky. Lexington, KY
  
• Sislena Ledbetter, Ph.D. Co-Principal Investigator: HBCU Disability Consortium, University of the District of Columbia. Washington, DC 
• Eduardo A. Ortiz, Ph.D. Senior Research Associate and URLEND Cultural Diversity Coordinator: Center for Persons with Disabilities; Adjunct Assistant Professor: Utah State University. Logan, UT
• Paula Sotnik. Project Director/Cultural Diversity Coordinator: Institute for Community Inclusion, and School for Global Inclusion and Social Development. Boston, MA
• Jason Wheeler. Training Consultant: Institute for Community Inclusion; Chair: Board of Directors for the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) of Massachusetts. Boston, MA