What is “Diversity”?
Diversity means variety; different ways of being human. Diversity happens when there are all kinds of different people present in a group, organization or society. Diversity is multidimensional: people can differ from one another in a variety of ways such as age, gender, skin colour, language, culture, ability, ancestry or ethnicity.
How we understand and talk about Diversity is always changing. If we are unsure about what language or term to use, it is best to ask respectfully. Asking is easier when we establish trust.
It’s ok to be different. Acceptance, kindness and empathy are the best tools to use in any scenario.
How are we different?
One way to think about our differences is to imagine an iceberg. About 10 per cent of the iceberg is above water and therefore visible, but most of it remains hidden under water.
How are we the same?
Despite the differences, one important thing we all have in common is that we are human.
What can we do to make everyone feel welcome and included?
Inclusion is about making everyone feel welcome without trying to change them, silence or negate some parts of their true self.
This online resource was created to help you gain a deeper understanding of Equity and Diversity in order to promote Inclusion where you work, live and play. The videos, discussion guides, activities and suggested resources can all be used in a variety of ways to facilitate brave conversations about what makes us different, and how we can create a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
The toolkit was created as part of a sector-wide initiative led by Community Living Toronto in partnership with the Developmental Services Toronto, with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.
As this is a new and evolving project, we continue to learn and improve as we go. We welcome any feedback, questions, and suggestions for new resources and tools to add to our toolkit!
Bridging Diversity Newsletter
Fostering Inclusion and Diversity in the Workplace
In this important Keynote, Joel invites employees to foster diversity and inclusion in a meaningful way. Joel addresses how unconscious bias can affect our daily interactions and shape important decisions. He outlines how inclusion can help drive innovation and business