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Diversity INCLUDES Disability. John G. Miers. Diversity: What is it?. There are two dimensions to diversity: Primary : Those factors which cannot be changed – age, race, ethnicity, gender, etc.
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Diversity INCLUDES Disability John G. Miers
Diversity: What is it? There are two dimensions to diversity: • Primary: Those factors which cannot be changed – age, race, ethnicity, gender, etc. • Secondary: Those factors which can be changed – education, geographic location, income, marital status, military experience, religious beliefs, parental status, etc.
Diversity: Managing it Managing Diversity is the process of creating and maintaining an environment that enables all participants to contribute to their full potential in pursuit of organizational objectives.
Uniformity • Sometimes it can be good: (Thank you, Herbert Hoover) • Examples: • Cinder blocks • Bricks • Pipes • 2 by 4’s • But….. • Diversity adds SPICE to our existence
Diversity • Diversity is Inclusive • No one is left out
Diversity includes Disability • Disabilities can be primary or secondary,too • They may even be both • Disabilities can be visible or invisible; hidden or obvious
Disability is Common: • 54 million Americans – 1 in 5 – reported that they had some kind of disability • 26 million Americans – 1 in 10 – reported that they had a severe disability • The likelihood of having a disability increases with age
Disability is Diagonal: It can happen: • To anyone • At any time • In any manner • Known or unknown
There are 3 Types of Barriers to Inclusion: • Structural/Architectural • Communicative • Attitudinal • This is the least expensive barrier, but the hardest to deal with
Disability is Unique: Disability is the only minority group that is constantly accepting new members!
The Value of Diversity • A diverse workforce reflects the strength and breadth of the country • Each person has different priorities • A diverse workforce will reflect all of these priorities
The Value of Diversity • Schooling, activities, education, occupations, and research interests will often reflect the personal priorities and experiences of the individual • Can you think of a situation where this is the case for you? For your family members?
Diversity in Research • A person’s research interests often reflect their personal interests: • Native Americans >> Diabetes • African Americans >> Sickle Cell • Parents >> Child Health • Elderly persons >> Alzheimer’s Disease • Deaf & Hard of Hearing >> Communications • The maximum diversity will lead to the most different sets of interests being studied
What This Means • Having a diverse workforce is critically important • Disability must be fully represented
Next Steps • Employment and training must be open to all • Relevant research must be undertaken • Extra steps must be taken: (Affirmative action is necessary)
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