What is EDI?
Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) is about creating an even playing field for everyone. Some may think of it as a zero-sum game, meaning that there are not enough resources to go around. In reality, EDI is about examining the challenges faced by specific groups and designing environments, products and services that work better for everyone. Take the example of The Curb-Cut Effect in which people in the disability-rights movement, specifically those who use wheelchairs, advocated for cities to build curb cuts into sidewalk infrastructure. Today, curb cuts are common and benefit many groups - people using strollers, delivering goods, riding bicycles, pulling luggage, and more. This is an example of a solution that initially worked better for one group, but in reality, serves everyone better.
EDI at OIT
All OIT employees play an important role in making sure EDI practices are part of how we work together, whether they are an analyst, developer, project manager or work in any other area. This ultimately impacts how we serve all Coloradans. When it comes to technology, EDI isn’t just a nice thing to do, it’s strategic. It helps us understand how to best serve all Coloradans equitably and how to provide the most engaging experiences for our workforce.
EDI work is not a one-time decision or act. Like planting a garden, you don’t just plant seeds in hopes that they will bear fruit. It requires preparation and care for the soil. You have to water, weed, check on things over time, and this is the approach OIT takes with our EDI initiatives.
EDI Tenets: The North Star for OIT’s EDI Work
- Dignity
- Empathy
- Humanity
- Connection
- Systemic Change
- Courage
- Lifelong Learning
Tip of the Month
Inclusive Language - Indigenous Terms
There are certain terms that hold culturally significant meaning to Indigenous American people; however, they are often used inappropriately by people who are not Native American. The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s article, Inclusive Language Series: Indigenous Terms, offers examples of such terms and suggestions for more suitable ones for non-Native people to use, including these:
- 2-Spirit refers to people who are part of any Indigenous American native group and who identify as having both feminine and masculine traits. Non-Native people can use terms such as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, or a different LGBTQ+ term that represents their gender or sexual identity.
- Spirit Animals are spiritual guides that take the form of animals often viewed as sacred in Indigenous cultures. Non-Native people can instead use terms like patronus, kindred spirit, reason for living, muse, guide, or familiar.
- Totem Poles are pieces of wood carved with a person’s totems. They usually convey a family or tribe’s history. Non-Native people can replace this with terms like climbing the corporate ladder, the lowest rung on the ladder, least significant, or promotion.
- Pow-Wows are social gatherings for ceremonial and celebratory purposes conducted under strict protocols. Non-Native people can instead use terms like meeting, gathering, or huddle.
Using thoughtful language in these ways shows honor and respect for Indigenous American culture.
What we’re doing
We’re on a learning journey at OIT and know that we have a long way to go. Here are some of the exciting things we’re working on now:
- An annual EDI plan that centers on reducing burnout and increasing accountability, psychological safety and belonging for all employees.
- A Wildly Important Goal (WIG) focused on employee engagement that features EDI as a core component.
- We’re scaling up the training and coaching offered to all OIT employees and managers. We’re also setting up employee resource groups to create a sense of belonging for our employees living with marginalized social identities.
- Group coaching is offered to managers every quarter so they can meaningfully contribute to achieving our employee engagement WIG and follow through on performance goals related to inclusive leadership.
- We use data to objectively monitor progress, such as through EDI organizational assessments and demographic analysis of employee engagement data.
EDI Action Alliance
We have a robust group of employees who are passionate about taking steps to institutionalize EDI work at OIT. The group includes subcommittees focused on internal workplace culture and training. Among many projects, they are responsible for analyzing employee engagement data by demographics to understand how employee experiences differ, and hosting quarterly webinars on a variety of EDI topics. Check out the team charter.
Employee Resource Groups
Promote an environment where BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) employees feel empowered, included and valued by providing resources, support and opportunities for growth and development.
We foster and promote an inclusive place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual OIT employees by honoring each individual’s values, beliefs, principles and lived experiences.
We empower OIT's veterans to expand their personal and professional development by communicating, networking, volunteering and providing training opportunities.
Accessibility & EDI: Two sides of the same coin
Accessibility and EDI work go hand in hand. Accessibility is a commitment to providing equitable access to services and is the responsibility of each state employee and not a single person, team or agency. In 2021, legislation (HB21-1110) was passed that strengthens protections against discrimination on the basis of disability. Among other things, it requires state agencies and local governmental entities to meet web accessibility standards and establishes OIT as the authoritative body to help agencies put those in place. Check out OIT's Guide to Accessible Web Services and Accessibility Law for Colorado State and Local Government to learn more.
What’s next?
- While still in the early stages, we’re crafting EDI guidelines that affect the technology solutions we build at OIT and make decisions about how our technology impacts those we are serving.
Contact the EDI Team
Join us in this important work!
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