IDEA in Simple Terms

Inclusion is an action.

Diversity is a fact.

Equity is a choice.

Accessibility is the design.

Inclusion doesn’t just happen; inclusion is a choice. In today’s world, it’s a choice that an employer should make for the benefit of their organization", says Michael Bach, founder of the Canadian Centre for Diversity & Inclusion. Inclusion can be created by using respectful language, listening to others and being open to learning. In the workplace, this can look like having meetings surrounding the topic of inclusivity. Do not let people interrupt each other, let them finish their thoughts. Stop micro-aggressions by confronting people and learn what to do when you make a mistake.

Diversity happens "as soon as you have two people in a room", says Bach. Having a range of people with various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds and various lifestyles, experiences, and interests creates diversity.

Equity recognizes that each person has different circumstances and therefore requires different resources and opportunities needed to reach an equal outcome. Equity is more complicated than equality because people often disagree on what is fair. “The route to achieving equity will not be accomplished through treating everyone equally. It will be achieved by treating everyone justly according to their circumstances”. —Paula Dressel, Race Matters Institute

Accessibility is how well everyone is accommodated and included. In the workplace, this can be allowing someone with a learning disability to record a conversation/meeting, making documents available in accessible formats, or having washrooms that are accessible to people with mobility issues or those who have visual impairments.