Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility
We are dedicated to fostering equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility by creating a welcoming environment, addressing systemic barriers and advancing social justice through purposeful action.
Mission statement
The Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) committee in the Department of Psychology is committed to advancing equity and inclusion and eliminating discrimination for our students, faculty and staff through open dialogue and purposeful action.
We strive to create a safe and welcoming environment for (current and prospective) students, faculty and staff that values diversity in all its forms, including but not limited to, differences in race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability status, educational background and socioeconomic status.
We recognize that advancing equity requires active listening, considering diverse viewpoints, reflection, challenging ourselves and ongoing learning, as well as evaluating EDIA initiatives. We commit to hold ourselves and each other accountable as we advance principles of social justice in our teaching, supervision, research, service and discipline.
Definitions
Equity
Equity involves addressing historic and current inequalities within the university community and beyond. Equity is about fair treatment. Treating everyone the same may not actually be fair, given the systemic historical and continued disadvantages that some individuals face. True equity necessitates recognizing that fairness may entail treating people differently to address diverse needs. Equity involves an ongoing process of assessment, removing barriers, biases and obstacles, and allocating resources proportional to needs to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
Diversity
Diversity is the representation of different knowledge, worldviews, practices and experiences within a community. Individuals may hold diverse, intersecting identities along dimensions of race, Indigeneity, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, age and abilities. Diversity allows for richer cognitive processing and exchange of information, and enriches the learning, working and living environment of the university.
Inclusion
Inclusion is achieved when all members of a community are inherently valued and welcomed and feel a sense of meaningful belonging. An inclusive learning, working and living university environment embraces differences and offers mutual respect in words and actions for all. Responsibility for inclusion is shared across all members of the community.
Accessibility
Accessibility means product, device, service or environment which is available to as many people as possible. Accessibility is concerned with inclusiveness and Barrier-free design, including the identification, removal and prevention of Barriers. Accessibility can be viewed as a person’s access to and benefit from a system or entity in a way that upholds the principles of dignity, independence, integration and equality of opportunity.
The mission statement and definitions are prepared by the Department of Psychology's Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility (EDIA) Committee. Inspired by Concordia, the Canadian Tri-Council, the American Psychological Association, the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities, and the World Health Organization.