Written by Ashleigh Aldridge
Employees can learn to be more inclusive in their communications, presentations, lectures, research and more in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s new Inclusive Language course.
The latest addition to the Diversity Education curriculum, the 90-minute, instructor-led course is an interactive discussion that provides context on the benefits of inclusive language and the strategic approaches to utilizing it, plus interactive activities on how to apply it in all forms of communication. The four existing Diversity Education courses — Cultural Awareness Building Blocks, Unconscious Bias, SafeZone and Bystander Intervention — all are prerequisites.
“Being mindful and intentional in our written and oral communication is the foundation of bridging gaps between culture and identity and fostering respectful and civil relationships,” said Michelle Allen, Ed.D., Diversity Education director. “Using language that demonstrates cultural humility and inclusive excellence is accessible for us all and is instrumental in the realization of our shared value of diversity and inclusiveness.”
The new course is launched in tandem with the university’s new Inclusive Language Guide; both were developed to be education tools geared toward ensuring all the diverse entities in the UAB enterprise are respected and valued in all forms of communication and to assist employees and students in understanding the impact of language.
The course launched Sept. 1; register online. Email inclusion@uab.edu with questions about the course or guide.
