United Launch Alliance (ULA)’s Post

Community Bridges is honored that the "𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔: 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑰/𝑫𝑫 𝑷𝒆𝒆𝒓 𝑴𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝑰𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆" is featured in the most recent issue of the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities Bulletin, "Leading Anti-Ableist Efforts." The 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝑷𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝑰𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 is a pioneering effort that offers a holistic approach to developing and growing the utilization of Peer Mentoring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Carolina. In partnership with the 𝐍𝐂’𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and the 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬, we aim to empower individuals, organizations, and the I/DD system through a blend of comprehensive training, practical internships, and collaborative partnerships. Focused on real-world applications and professional development, this initiative represents a significant step toward inclusivity and empowerment of the I/DD workforce. Being anti-ableist involves actively addressing and reducing implicit bias and discrimination against people with disabilities. This issue presents a variety of perspectives on ableism and anti-ableist practices, contributed by individuals with lived experiences and those working alongside them. 📄 Click the PDF below to learn how the Bridging Pathways Initiative is reshaping norms in anti-ableism efforts and empowering those with disabilities to assume professional and expert roles. 📄 #InclusionMatters #CommunityBridges #AntiAbleism #DisabilityRights #Medicaid #IDD #Disabilities #PeerMentoring

May 1st is National Skilled Trades Day. 🛠 Did you know that in Canada, nearly 22% of the current skilled trades workforce is expected to retire by 2030? To address the shortage and knowledge loss, First Peoples Development Inc (FPDI) launched the Apprenticeship Support Program and the Take on the Trades campaign to encourage people to consider a career in one of the 39 Red Seal trades. The program provides a $5,000 grant to companies that take on a first-year apprentice. Companies can also receive an additional $5,000 if they hire an apprentice from an underrepresented or equity-deserving group, including women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, members of the LGBTQ+ community, newcomers, or visible minorities. Last year, I wrote a series of articles for the Winnipeg Free Press on how the program supports businesses and new tradespeople. 👷♀️ #nationalskilledtradesday #skilledtrades #apprenticeship #writer #freelance #freelancewriter

Who is our LGBTQIA+ inclusion training for? Both workplaces AND schools! But what does that mean exactly and how is the training tailored to the different environments? For WORKPLACES, we: 💼 Explain LGBTQIA+ identities and how you can be a better ally – with sessions available covering the basics, right through to those those that need a little more advanced training 💼 Guide you on how you can be more inclusive of LGBTQIA+ people – including your staff, clients, customers, stakeholders, and wider public 💼 Provide you with tangible steps you can implement into your workplace policies and culture right away 💼 Support your staff to create a more engaged workforce For SCHOOLS, we: 📚 Host sessions for your students, teachers, or even an LGBTQIA+ youth empowerment workshop for your pride group! 📚 Focus on how to create an inclusive and supportive classroom environment for all students 📚 Support you through any specific requirements for your school – whether that's responding to a recent incident, the needs of particular students, or just help you celebrate diversity! All sessions are hosted by our experienced LGBTQIA+ Education Presenters, who all focus on storytelling through their lived experience. To learn more, head to our website: https://buff.ly/3qmI5cZ

For those who may be unsure of why using pronouns matters, here's some quick insights from the Minus18 Foundation. 👏👏

Why sharing your pronouns is important ➡️ It's a topic we're often asked about during our workplace LGBTQIA+ inclusion training sessions, so we thought we'd share the knowledge with this handy resource. Swipe through and level up your allyship! Want to keep learning? Check out our website full of free education resources, or book an inclusion training session or keynote for your workplace or school: https://lnkd.in/gcnTY54M

🌈 Exciting News for Adult Educators! 🌟 Introducing the UNIQUE project, whose team is dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA+ individuals in academic settings. Our objectives are clear: 🎯 Raise awareness among VET and Adult educators about life realities of adult learners who are queer, taking intersectional matters into ccount as well. 🎯 Create personalized learning pathways for educators. 🎯 Foster inclusive policies within training institutions. 🎯 Empower educators through Diversity trainers and Ambassadors. Our implementation plan involves: 🛠 Research and development of an interactive Awareness tool. 🛠 Designing self-learning modules and pathways. 🛠 Crafting a Diversity Ambassador’s toolkit for institutional application. Anticipated results: ✨ A groundbreaking Awareness tool directing educators to personalized learning. ✨ A comprehensive toolkit for Diversity Ambassadors to enhance inclusion policies. ✨ Increased support for LGBTQIA+ learners in VET and Adult education. Join us in promoting diversity and inclusion! 🌈 #UNIQUEproject #LGBTQIA+ #EducationForAll #InclusionMatters #AdultEducation #VET #ErasmusPlus

🎥 WEBINAR Inclusion ready: Planning for an inclusive environment Does your team sometimes struggle to meet the diverse needs of all children? Do you worry your children's service doesn't have the resources to implement inclusive practices effectively? Do you ever feel overwhelmed by your environment and how to set it up for inclusive play? You're not the only one. Join our September webinar to hear the most impactful inclusive practices our Inclusion Professionals have seen on their visits to early learning and OSHC services. Equipped with photos and guidelines, they'll inspire you to dream big about what's possible in your own service. Get ready to take away practical strategies and real-life examples, plus receive a toolkit with checklists to help assess and enhance your own learning environments. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach to inclusion! ✨ When: Thursday, September 5 at 12.00pm Members have already been sent an email with the registration link. Not a member? Join from just $109!

As Pride month comes to a close, let's celebrate the incredible impact and influence of LGBTQIA+ leaders in higher education. 🌈 While we celebrate progress, the fight for true equality continues - and should continue all year long. Many LGBTQIA+ students (and staff, faculty and leadership) still face discrimination and a lack of support. We have a responsibility to create positive change by implementing inclusive hiring practices, challenging biases, and fostering safe and affirming spaces for everyone to thrive. Learn more about the work of LGBTQIA+ leaders, and how they continue to show that visibility matters: https://buff.ly/3ITb7Ho

Celebrating Difference This week, from March 18th–24th, it is Neurodiversity Celebration Week. Neurodiversity includes many learning differences, but what stands out for me is the word celebrate. Celebrate difference is how I have heard it expressed. It is really that simple. I imagine a person-centered approach to work and learning. My own education around differences came to me slowly. As someone who has stood up to champion difference, I will share that I continue to always be on a path of learning. An example is my own university bias. It took me years to drop the notion that one learning path is better than another. Wow, so not true, is how I will now describe my own misconceptions. I am working to keep moving forward in order to celebrate the empowerment of difference. Sharing a photo that again is simple - celebrate the beauty of difference. #neuodiversitycelebrationweek #difference #inclusion #celebrateinclusion #neurodiversityawareness

As we celebrate this vibrant and empowering month, it’s important to remember the significance of pride and the impact it has on so many. Visibility & Representation: Pride Month provides a platform for LGBTQIA+ individuals to be seen and heard. Representation matters, and seeing diverse identities celebrated helps to normalize and validate the experiences of LGBTQIA+ people. Community & Support: Pride events and activities foster a sense of community and belonging. They offer a safe space for people to connect, share their stories, and support one another. Advocacy & Education: Pride month is an opportunity to educate others and advocate for equal rights. It highlights the ongoing struggles and achievements of the LGBTQIA+ community, paving the way for a more inclusive and accepting society. Self-Expression & Authenticity: Being able to be yourself without fear of judgement or discrimination is crucial for mental and emotional well-being. Inspiration & Empowerment: Seeing others live authentically and proud can inspire and empower individuals to embrace their own identities. Continue to support and uplift one another. Not just during Pride month, but all year round. Together, we can create a world where everyone feels safe and free to be themselves 🌈🏳️⚧️