The Academy’s work in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access focuses on continued and expanded IDEA consideration at every level — from inclusive imagery and language to make all members feel welcome to addressing IDEA throughout the product-development process as well as in presentations to members and the public. These efforts directly relate to cultivating organizational and professional values of equity, respect, civility and anti-discrimination.
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics IDEA Activities Update (2019 – Present)
- In late 2019, the Academy’s Board of Directors appointed a task force to develop a new Diversity and Inclusion strategic plan for the Academy. After the events of May 2020 focused the nation and the Academy on the need for enhanced diversity, equity, and access, the task force was merged with the Academy’s D&I Committee to concentrate priorities. The D&I Committee listened intensively to members and non-members, adjusting its plan of work accordingly. Rather than create a new D&I Strategic Plan, it decided to produce an action plan for the Board’s consideration.
- The D&I Committee changed its name to the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee and spoke with members, attended MIG-sponsored listening sessions, and held calls with concerned groups. Academy staff shared member communications, benchmarked IDEA strategies from other organizations, and researched best practices to increase IDEA in health professions.
- The Academy Foundation, with input from the IDEA Committee Chairs, drafted a proposal for a Foundation Fellow who would be tasked with working on IDEA priorities over a two-year period. The Fellow’s results will be provided this year.
- In September 2020, the Academy held ten Board-approved IDEA-focused listening sessions with up to 25 participants per session. The facilitator of these sessions analyzed input from the sessions, along with emails, letters, Member Engagement Zone responses, and social media posts the Academy received during that year.
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