Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Accessibility, and Belonging
We acknowledge that the current U.S. administration is denouncing all policies relate to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in educational and nonprofit spaces. At WDDA, we remain committed to our DEIAB initiatives to ensure that everybody and every body can pursue the same opportunities, resources, programs, and projects that we offer. Our mission in disability empowerment will never align with any form of exclusion, discrimination, or inaccessibility.
Diversity
One of the beautiful qualities found within disabled communities is the complexity of intersectional identities, and we want WDDA to reflect this. We strive to fill our leadership, programs, students, and volunteers with as many diverse perspectives and experiences as possible.
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Every person is invited to participate in WDDA, and we especially want to highlight the disabled experiences of significantly underrepresented populations. Examples of these communities include: people of color, LGBTQIA+, mixed/undocumented status, medium/high support needs, indigenous tribes, low-income/homeless backgrounds, and others.
Equity
We believe in respectful treatment and equal access to all opportunities regardless of one's demographic background. We aim to deconstruct the systemic ableism that excludes disabled communities from accessing financial stability, personal connection, and human rights.
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In addition, we're dedicated to discouraging any form of discrimination against ability/disability, race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, veteran status, immigration status, and any other protected demographic.
Inclusion
We recognize that every disabled person has unique experiences, aspirations, talents, and perspectives, and they deserve to be acknowledged and welcomed at WDDA. Furthermore, we establish the proactive intention to invite everybody and every body into this space and to treat them with kindness, respect, and support.
We also strive to remove any cultural, socioeconomic, and access barriers so everyone can be included in conversations, actions, and movements for disability justice and social change.
Accessibility
Being a fully virtual and remote organization, WDDA utilizes technology, communication, and strategy practices to increase the universal accessibility of all our activities. This includes using self-descriptions, plain language, automated captions/transcripts, color contrasts, and alternative texts wherever possible.
Whether it be our website, emails, social media posts, or live meetings, we make it a standard expectation to implement every access tool possible.​ If you have any concerns or requests regarding your access needs, you're warmly encouraged to contact us as soon as possible to make the necessary arrangements.
Belonging
We believe that community is not changing yourself, your interests, or your desires to fit in with the right group or meet someone else's expectations. Instead, community is about nurturing mutual kindness, respect, safety, wellness, and appreciation for everyone and their identities.
WDDA seeks to create a communal space where everyone can enjoy a safe space where they are warmly invited and encouraged to stay as long as they desire. We don't question, challenge, or discredit their identity, but give them the opportunity to express themselves proudly and wholeheartedly.
If you discover or experience a conduct that doesn't align with these initiatives during your engagement with WDDA, we encourage you to contact us via the Support page. We will respond as soon as possible to seek a resolution that reassures all involved parties that WDDA will reinforce these initiatives in all its activities.