[nagdu] Inclusive discussion

Larry D. Keeler lkeeler at comcast.net
Sun Jul 8 15:38:28 UTC 2012 

Like anything else I think these things are on a continueum.  On one end is 
diversity and on the other, inclussion which implies to me similarity.  The 
trick is balancing the scale both wit diversity and inclussion.  When ideas 
try and include everyone they fall short qand when programs become to 
inclussive, the also fall short.  All of these models should start with the 
respect for humanity as a whole and also for the person as an individual.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J." <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2012 8:11 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Inclusive discussion


>I like these definitions much more than the way these concepts are 
>generally presented.  Cultural competency has always been presented as the 
>need to know about various cultures in an intelectual fashion in order that 
>the people from that culture can be assimilated into whatever program 
>you're working on.
>
> Diversity has always been presented as people are different, b nice, know 
> the laws and don't break any of them.
>
> And I don't think I've ever attended a training that entertained the 
> notion of inclusion.  My leadership conference next weekend has a 
> diversity training listed on the agenda.  I'm trying to keep an open mind, 
> but I'm rather failing.
>
> Julie
> On 7/8/2012 6:01 AM, Steven Johnson wrote:
>> So, they all really do work together in an optimal situation...
>>
>> Diversity Inclusion and Cultural Competency
>>
>> Cultural Competency
>>
>> Cultural Competency is a system in which the alignment of behaviors,
>> attitudes, and policies allows organizations to perform more effectively 
>> and
>> individuals to interact most respectfully. Cultural Competency is a 
>> dynamic
>> state where efforts are continuous in order to maintain the integrity of 
>> the
>> environment.
>>
>> Diversity
>>
>> Diversity is the presence of difference in areas such as race, gender, 
>> age,
>> ethnicity, physical ability, sexual orientation, economic status, 
>> education
>> level, geographic origin, and religion amongst other things. The presence 
>> of
>> diversity can enhance collaborative work or projects and contribute to an
>> optimal work environment. The differences and similarities among 
>> diversity
>> should be recognized, celebrated, and respected.
>>
>> Inclusion
>>
>> Inclusion is the continual process of embracing the diversity individuals
>> bring to an organization. In an inclusive environment they are 
>> comfortable
>> expressing their ideas and creativity, and are aware of their value added 
>> to
>> the organization. Inclusive environments are supportive, engaging,
>> empowering, welcoming, and collaborative.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Michael Hingson
>> Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 11:45 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Inclusive discussion
>>
>> Not if you are going to classify yourself as "inclusive".
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Steven Johnson
>> Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 01:16 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Inclusive discussion
>>
>> Michael, then at which point, and I am assuming that this is an important
>> value/concept, does cultural competency come into play.
>>
>> Steve
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Michael Hingson
>> Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 2:51 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Subject: [nagdu] Inclusive discussion
>>
>> Margo,
>>
>> I choose "inclusion" to describe a state of being precisely because you 
>> are
>> "inclusive" or not.  If you wish to say you, or an organization is
>> "inclusive", then you are or you are not.  You can't decide you are
>> inclusive if you determine that one class or another is not worth 
>> thinking
>> about.  If you leave out any group of people then you are not truly
>> "inclusive".
>>
>> I just searched Google for a definition of "inclusive" and found this:
>> "Inclusive means something that does not leave any part or group out."
>> There is no middle ground.
>>
>>
>> Best,
>>
>>
>> Michael Hingson
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf
>> Of Margo and Arrow
>> Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 11:43 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] understanding vs. respect
>>
>> Michael, this is precisely why I discourage people from using the term
>> "diversity".  Now I know Julie used it because that's what the training 
>> was
>> called.  I'd like to see "inclusivity training" or some other term using 
>> the
>> word "inclusion" or "inclusive" or some other derivation for this type of
>> training.  Now, having said that, people can forget and exclude a group 
>> from
>> being included because a group is not thought of as important enough or
>> credible enough or worldly enough to be included.
>>
>> I truly believe that we are not included in varous trainings or group
>> situations because it is thought that we wouldn't have jobs, we're being
>> taken care of, we're not out in the world, what do the blind know anyway, 
>> we
>> couldn't live without our doggies, we are to be pitied.  I think to teach
>> inclusion is to not only teach what groups are to be included and that 
>> all
>> people are included and how to include all people, but, respecting
>> others--what does tha mean in the inclusion process?
>>
>> Margo and Arrow
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Michael Hingson"<info at michaelhingson.com>
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 2:13 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] understanding vs. respect
>>
>>
>>> Margo,
>>>
>>> That is why "Diversity" is such an inappropriate term to use when
>>> discussing bringing all "different" groups together.  Last year I
>>> wrote a speech I often give called "Moving From Diversity to
>>> Inclusion".  If a group or a person is "inclusive" then there is no
>>> room for leaving out anyone or you are using the term incorrectly.
>>>
>>> Last October I conducted a workshop at a group discussing and
>>> promoting "Diversity".  During the morning keynote speech the speaker
>>> did not once mention disabilities as a part of the diverse range of
>>> groups who are left out of society.  So, Margo, you are right in your
>> observation.
>>>
>>> Best,
>>>
>>>
>>> Michael Hingson
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Margo and Arrow
>>> Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 09:30 AM
>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] understanding vs. respect
>>>
>>> Has anyone noticed that in diversity training or sensitivity training,
>>> the disabled are often excluded or glossed over, including no
>>> education about service animals?
>>>
>>> Margo and Arrow
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Tracy Carcione"<carcione at access.net>
>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Saturday, July 07, 2012 11:47 AM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] understanding vs. respect
>>>
>>>
>>>> I agree with both of you.  Julie, your experience with diversity
>>>> training  is similar to mine.  I'm happy to learn about other
>>>> cultures, but the  whole thing seemed pretty phony.  And I'll take
>>>> respect over  understanding  every time.Just respect me as an adult
>>>> fellow human, and we're good.
>>>> Understanding may follow, but, even if it doesn't, it doesn't matter,
>>>> since, if you respect me, you'll either figure I have the brains to
>>>> work  things out myself, or you'll ask if I need a hand.
>>>> And Buddy, I too don't see it as my mission in life to educate
>>>> everyone I  meet about blindness.  I reckon just getting on with my
>>>> life ought to be  enough. If they harass me, I'll explain the law or
>> whatever, but mainly
>>>>    I have places to go and things to do.
>>>> Tracy
>>>>> Julie,
>>>>>
>>>>> Right on, right on, right on! I'm sure some of my fellow blind folk
>>>>> will take issue with this, but I'm so over educating the public.
>>>>> Look what good it's done for us, your conference coordinator being a
>>>>> shining example.
>>>>> Darn it all, we don't need education. While ignorance is curable,
>>>>> there's plenty of education to be had, should people care to have
>>>>> it, and it doesn't have to come from me. It's time that we quit with
>>>>> this belief that our lot in life is to be the ambassador for every
>>>>> stink in blind person out there and by god just live our lives and
>>>>> do our things. But it's also time that we demand the respect due us
>>>>> as human beings.
>>>>> --
>>>>> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
>>>>> Phone: (814) 860-3194 or 888-75-BUDDY
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On Jul 7, 2012, at 8:08 AM, "Julie J."<julielj at neb.rr.com>  wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I wrote a bit about this a couple of weeks ago, but I've been
>>>>>> thinking more on the topic ...I know scary!  LOL  Anyway I attended
>>>>>> this diversity training seminar last spring.  It was a part of a
>>>>>> larger training event on drug/alcohol prevention and not something
>>>>>> I would have attended separately.  anyway the presenter talked
>>>>>> about education and understanding different cultures and whatnot.
>>>>>> There was a lot of emphasis on what she called cultural competency,
>>>>>> which I took to mean being educated about various cultures.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> the whole time I'm sitting there listening to this presentation I'm
>>>>>> thinking about the conversation we had about my hotel reservations.
>>>>>> This particular presenter was the coordinator for the conference.
>>>>>> She made the hotel reservations for many of the attendees because
>>>>>> the sponsoring agency was covering the hotel.  It's much easier to
>>>>>> do the paperwork that way.  Anyway she knows I'm blind and that I
>>>>>> have
>> Monty.
>>>>>> she also knows I can walk up and down stairs and whatnot.  Still
>>>>>> she informed the hotel that I needed a first floor room and that
>>>>>> I'd be accompanied by a guide dog.  she also assured the hotel that
>>>>>> I'd be no problem that I was quite independent.  I have no words to
>>>>>> express my feelings about this statement.  Unimpressed is about the
>>>>>> nicest thing I can say.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> So back to diversity training...she's talking about understanding
>>>>>> and education and how important it is to know all about other
>>>>>> people of various cultures, races, disabilities etc.  Immediately
>>>>>> after this lecture we have a break where no less than three people
>>>>>> come up to me to ask inappropriate questions or to pet Monty
>>>>>> without asking.  Honestly I'm not opposed to answering questions,
>>>>>> but when I'm engaged in a different conversation and you interrupt
>>>>>> to ask how much I can see, well it's just rude.  It was at that
>>>>>> moment that I realized that I don't give a crap about education or
>>>>>> understanding or cultural competency or whatever you want to call
>>>>>> it.  Sure if people understood, I mean really got it, about
>>>>>> blindness that would be grand.  I don't need that though.
>>>>>> What I really, really want is respect.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> What do you all think?
>>>>>> Julie
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
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