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On Friday, I was privileged to speak about 'Inspiring inclusion in workplaces' for #IWD to 700 plus Sylvania High School students. In addition to sharing some of my own high school and work experiences, I offered three ways they can be more inclusive: 1. Start with Y.O.U. - Your Own Understanding. We benefit from looking in before we look out and developing an awareness of what we think and why, why, why we think the way we do. 2. Reflect on others positions. Life is about the Y.O.U. and the W.E., and together, we can reflect on the thoughts and perceptions of others. We can do this through W.E. - a wider exploration. A helpful reflective question is - What does this look like from (insert relevant person's) point of view? 3. Walk together, not on or over - This guiding principle helps us recognise that life is a team sport and that our wins (and our actions) don't need to be at the expense of others.

Do you remember your first day of school? The uncertainties about getting there? The new classroom and teacher? As parents, my wife and I have seen this in our kids every year when it’s back to school time. Just a couple of weeks ago, we sent off a college student, an eighth grader and two fourth graders. Each of them is unique, with a unique set of core needs. Starting a new school year can be easier when they know that they are supported by their school communities, and welcomed for who they are. We, as employees, are the same — we perform better when we know that our needs are supported. One way we have found to support our diverse team members at Belden is through employee resource groups or ERGs. These groups give employees with similar experiences the opportunity to share ideas. It’s making connections to help our people know they are supported when they come to work and ultimately makes our workplace and culture better. #Belden #EmployeeResourceGroups

Cieara Swainston Davis, Boise, Idaho    I stumbled into public service almost by accident. When I interviewed with the Idaho Transportation Department, I was the youngest candidate, had no degree, and very little formal training experience. The hiring panel saw my skills and determination, and I was hired as the District Trainer. I continue finding motivation through serving others. In my current role at the Association Of Idaho Cities I help public servants across the state build capacity to better serve their communities. Seeing our programs' impact on communities, leaders, and constituents has been the greatest motivator. Now I can't imagine doing anything else - I work tirelessly engaging the next generation of Idaho leaders. One my career highlights has been working to create the nation's first apprenticeship program for city clerks, managers, and treasurers. As a STAR - a worker skilled through alternative routes - I’m proud to contribute to a program that opens opportunities for others like me who don’t have a degree but are eager to learn on the job. The hope for a better, more inclusive Idaho inspires me to help others see their potential. I strongly believe in people's power and engaging the next generation. I envision more diversity in public service and hope to inspire future leaders to hone skills, believe in themselves, and be the change. As a STAR, I've proven you can still be successful and impactful in public service without a degree. I've had the honor of sharing my story, hopefully inspiring others to take pride in the unique skills life experience provides. The political climate here can be difficult as a young LGBTQ+ woman. At times, I'm tempted to leave. But as a native Idahoan, I feel responsible to stay and 'fight the good fight.' If diverse voices like mine leave, how will change happen? I'm constantly inspired by the dedicated public servants around me, waking up daily to face adversity while doing their best with limited resources to improve our state. While the journey hasn't been easy, I ended up exactly where I was meant to be. I'd tell my younger self: “Trust that you are wildly capable and deserving, despite not having that degree. Your experiences make you meaningful.” Opportunity@Work / Tear The Paper Ceiling #humansofpublicservice #STARsinPublicService #government #GovPossible

Does creating a truly inclusive environment feel challenging? I'm looking forward to working with the Town of Ladysmith - Parks, Recreation & Culture to help their team on this topic. This is a workshop that is important for anyone who works with children and youth. In this workshop, we explore the core principles of inclusion and equip you with practical strategies to strengthen your practice and foster a welcoming learning environment for all students. You'll gain a clear understanding of what inclusion means, moving beyond simply "accommodation." We'll discuss key features of successful inclusive programs, actionable strategies to strengthen inclusion in your classroom, and proactive techniques for anticipating and addressing potential challenges. We'll also explore real-life case scenarios to develop practical problem-solving skills, and I'll provide valuable resources and support for navigating challenging situations and ensuring continuous growth. Share this post if you believe creating an inclusive environment is essential for children's growth.

As educators we often speak with children about filling each other’s cups, being bucket fillers. We also speak openly, and honestly about being lifelong learners, that we are constantly evolving, constantly engaging in critical reflection on our own practices. I love this visual below, and yes, these certainly fill a child’s inclusion cup. But, guess what? As a human, all humans, our cups are filled when we feel valued and important, when we can be our authentic selves without judgment, when we feel safe, and our uniqueness is celebrated. Extend the kindness to yourself and to your colleagues that you teach to children everyday, and continue to fill each others cups.

🚀 Launching Careers with Bridges From School to Work 🚀 Every day, we're helping young adults with disabilities take the next step in their career journeys. Through hands-on experience and supportive training, our participants are equipped to excel in the workforce. Here’s to new beginnings and endless possibilities! #BridgesFromSchoolToWork #CareerLaunch #SuccessStories #InclusionMatters

The Impact of Special Needs Summer Camps Special needs summer camps offer a nurturing environment where individuals with disabilities thrive through tailored activities and a sense of community. These camps foster independence, social connections, and personal growth, leaving a lasting impression on participants and promoting inclusion in society. What summer camps are your kids going to this year ?

✨ Embrace diversity and foster inclusion in our community! 🎉 Here are 8 exciting and simple ways to teach kids about the beauty of diversity and the importance of inclusion. 🧡 1. 🎨 Artistic expression allows children to explore, appreciate, and value different cultures through creative projects. 2. 🎭 Cultural performances create an immersive experience where kids can witness and celebrate the diverse talents and traditions in their community. 3. 📚 Storytelling sessions introduce children to various cultures, helping them understand and respect different perspectives. 4. 🤝 Engage in community service projects that teach kindness and inclusivity, reinforcing the importance of helping others, regardless of their backgrounds. 5. 🎭 Role-playing activities encourage empathy and compassion by allowing kids to step into the shoes of individuals from different cultures or backgrounds. 6. 🚌 Organize meaningful field trips to cultural centers, museums, or events that expose children to different traditions and customs. 7. 💬 Hold diversity discussions, where kids can openly express their thoughts and learn from one another's unique experiences. 8. 🧩 Games and puzzles centered around diversity and inclusion provide a fun way for kids to learn and reinforce their understanding of these essential values. Let's nurture a generation that embraces diversity, appreciates differences, and builds an inclusive community! 🤗💕 #DiversityMatters #InclusionIsKey 🦋

💬 💫 Celebrating World Braille Day: Empowering Communication and Literacy for All This tactile system of six dots, has aided the lives of people with visual impairments and unlocked doors to communication, literacy, and independence. But the story of Braille extends beyond its remarkable creation... Did you know? ·       2.2 billion people globally have some form of vision impairment. ·       Only 1 in 10 blind individuals globally are proficient Braille readers/writers, which translates to educational and employment disparities. ·       In the UK, there are around 84,000 registered visually impaired people of working age, but only 1 in 4 of these is in employment. It is time that employers’ start doing more to encourage people with visual impairments to join and remain in the workforce, starting with existing recruitment and retention practices. Take a look at the resources available on the Business Disability Forum for guidance on how your organisation can support individuals with visual impairments in the workplace: https://lnkd.in/eRCpbJiR 🤝 World Braille Day goes hand in hand with DEI: ·       Championing Braille education: Advocating for accessible Braille instruction in schools and training programs. ·       Supporting inclusive publishing- encouraging the production and availability of Braille books and resources. ·       Promoting assistive technology- embracing digital advancements that integrate Braille for broader accessibility. ·       Celebrating diversity- individuals with visual impairments have varying lived experiences and backgrounds. 🙌 Braille is not just a tool, but a bridge to equality and empowerment for all! #WorldBrailleDay #BrailleLiteracy #Empowerment #Inclusion #AccessForAll

Please pause to share of a moment of deep gratitude with me. Gratitude for joining an incredible team of leaders. People who aren't afraid to shake the status quo. Who see every person with intellectual and developmental disabilities as an unique individual with dreams and life goals. Shout out to Emily Kang Cantrell, Amal Bennani Grabinski, Mary Rostad, Mary Stevenson (she/her/hers), Tori Muzyk, and many more! Gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to an over 80 year legacy at PROVAIL. Gratitude for healthy workplace culture, where I feel comfortable enough to wear my new favorite shoes! #vans #wehavefun Gratitude for the space to continue to advocate for people with disabilities, so we can live full and joyous lives. Gratitude to work in a space that is actively rooting out and addressing ableism (yes, we can help you do this, too!). If all this gratitude resonates with you, then send me a DM and let's talk about how your organization can partner with PROVAIL, and work to better support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. #InclusionMatters