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Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Commitment

Our Commitment

At RespectAbility, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (collectively, DEIA), is a core tenet of our work. It is essential in achieving our mission to fight stigmas and advance opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community.

RespectAbility is against all forms of discrimination, including ableism, racism, sexism, ageism, anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination, sizeism, anti-immigrant discrimination, antisemitism, religious discrimination, anti-Muslim discrimination, and hate of all kinds. Our work strives to be deeply inclusive of all disabled people and their allies, with an emphasis on those who face intersectional barriers to equity and inclusion.

We recognize the importance of going beyond transactional diversity initiatives to transformational organizational and societal change. We are working to build an organization and contribute to a society where lived experiences of those with marginalized identities are centered, valued, and respected. This means we work to dismantle systems of oppression and their effects within and outside of the disability community.

Our Journey

We’re working to create an accessible, equitable, and inclusive organization, inside and out. For us, this means continually reflecting on our commitment to equity and how we put this into practice.

So far in our journey, we’ve made great strides in incorporating intersectionality as a critical lens across our work. Internally, we’ve made important changes to our policies, practices, and procedures to center equity. In partnership with our staff and Board, we are actively building an organizational culture of inclusion and belonging. We’ve also started work on a new DEIA strategy, to guide the organization’s work for many years to come.

While we are proud of our commitment and our progress, we know we have not always lived our values and commitment to DEIA. This has caused harm within and outside of our organization. We are working to take accountability and repair that harm.

As we continue our journey, we invite input and outreach from any individual, group, or organization that may have experienced harm. We appreciate any opportunity to learn from these perspectives and experiences. To share your experience or learn more about ways we are putting equity into action, please complete this anonymous form or email RespectAbility’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Ariel Simms: ArielS@RespectAbility.org.



    Our Values

    We are a “Nothing About Us, Without Us” organization. This means we are led by disabled people and promote disabled leadership on all issues that impact our lives and community. Disabled people are experts on their lived experience, and these experiences inform and guide RespectAbility’s advocacy.

    Disability is one of many identities. We acknowledge and appreciate that disability intersects with other identities, and that for many marginalized groups and communities, there is a higher representation of disability. We honor and respect the intersectional identities within the disability community.

    Bias, stigma, and discrimination that harm people with disabilities can be compounded by other factors, including race, ethnicity, immigration status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic status. While we advocate for the disability community as a whole, we prioritize the needs, priorities, and experiences of disabled people who are multiply marginalized.

    Our Team

    Organization Level + Number People of Color White Disability LGBTQIA+ Women/Non-Binary Men/Male-Identifying
    Board (34) 53% 47% 52% 6% 52% 48%
    Staff (25) 38% 63% 80% 45.8% 56% 44%
    Senior Staff (7) 43% 57% 71% 43% 57% 43%
    Fellows (229 alumni) 46% 54% 90% 22% 62% 38%

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    Respect Ability - Fighting Stigmas. Advancing Opportunities.

    Contact Us

    Mailing Address:
    RespectAbility
    43 Town & Country Drive
    Suite 119-181
    Fredericksburg, VA 22405

    Office Number: 202-517-6272

    Email: info@respectability.org

    Operational Excellence

    RespectAbility is recognized by GuideStar at the Platinum level, and has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.
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