Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion

How are conflict resolution and DEAI related?

Treating people with dignity and respect and being cognizant of different worldviews and experiences are all actions that help groups collaborate better together. The ability to listen to and appreciate others' worldviews and experiences can both prevent and help resolve conflicts.

Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion (DEAI) is sometimes used as a short-hand title for behaviors, policies, and programs that promote the fair treatment of all people. While definitions vary, you can think of diversity as the presence of difference within a community. Accessibility means designing products, devices, services, environments, etc. to ensure they are usable by people with disabilities. Equity involves ensuring that all people have what they need to be successful. Inclusion means people of different identities and backgrounds feel genuinely valued and welcome.

Using a DEAI-informed approach is important for addressing conflict effectively. Many conflicts include DEAI components, even if these are not immediately apparent on the surface. Conversely, addressing DEAI in an organization, community, or process can sometimes bring conflict to the fore as people grapple with different identities, worldviews, and needs. Not addressing DEAI issues can keep people stuck in impasse or escalate interpersonal conflict, while intentionally creating inclusive and fair environments and solutions can prevent harmful conflict.

OCDR guides

Recommended resources

State of Minnesota Equity Analysis Toolkit: This resource helps State agency employees and others consider ways their policies, plans, programs and other initiatives can support equity in practice.
State of Minnesota Employee Resource Groups (ERGs): The State of Minnesota supports ERGs, which are identity-based employee groups that meet routinely to support and learn from each other.
State of Minnesota Office of Inclusion: This page provides information on the strategy of the Office of Inclusion as well as links to helpful information like definitions for inclusion-related terms.
Leadership Learning Hub's "Leading With DEAI" topics: The Leadership Learning Hub is a repository of information and resources for State of Minnesota employees, including about DEAI.
MNIT’s Office of Accessibility: This page links to trainings, documents, apps and other tools to support creating more accessibility in State of Minnesota workplaces.
University of St. Catherine’s Strategies to Create an Inclusive Workplace: This brief guide includes practical guidance on goals and supports for leaders and others.
Communicating Across Cultures Webinar: This webinar from the University of Minnesota's College of Continuing & Professional Studies describes the concept of "cultural intelligence" and barriers in communication that stem from cultural differences.
7 Tips to Building Diverse and Equitable Workplaces: This article is geared to businesses, but the tips apply to supervisors and managers in any organization.
Accessible public meeting design: This Institute for Local Government guide addresses access to local government meetings and events for people with disabilities, chronic health conditions, and related issues.
Neurodivergence and DEI: This Forbes article provides information on neurodivergence and describes how to close the communication gap with neuro-divergent employees for the benefit of the organization.

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