Human Rights and Diversity Committee
The Human Rights and Diversity Committee (HRDC) continues to promote DCDT’s national and international commitment to diversity by creating a collaborative platform for special education professionals, families, students, and leaders to discuss openly, share expertise, resources, and work to influence policies, practices, research, and laws advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Therefore, the HRDC recognizes the importance of experiential and other forms of knowledge, addresses structural inequities, and promotes advocacy, high expectations, and improved outcomes for transitioning youths from traditionally marginalized communities.
- Further, The HRDC fosters critical, culturally inclusive, and responsive transition practices guided by the following tenets:
- Transition practices, research, and policies should reflect a deep understanding of intersecting identities (e.g. ability, class, gender, race, sexual orientation) and how the intersections mediate access to privilege and positive post-secondary outcomes.
- Transition practices and research should promote the development of sociocultural awareness, including the critique of the master narrative, creation of counter-narratives, and critical cultural literacy.
- Transition practices and research should be grounded in community well-being and community-based knowledge.
Culturally Responsive Transition Planning (CRTP) involves using an asset-based framework to foster connections between content, transition practices, professional dispositions, and students’ cultures for the purpose of improving transition outcomes and experiences for all students and their families.
Meeting Times
The HRDC meets virtually every THIRD Thursday of the month at 9 PST/10 MST/11 CST/12 EST. To receive a the Zoom link information, and calendar reminder please email Joana- jidakwo@gmail.com.
Interested in participating and getting involved with the Human Rights and Diversity Committee please CLICK HERE and/or email Joana @ jidakwo@gmail.com.
HRDC Chairperson
Joana Idakwo-Agha, Ed.D.
Email: jidakwo@gmail.com
Joana Idakwo-Agha, Ed.D., is currently an independent educational consultant in Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, ensuring all students succeed regardless of abilities. Joana is a diverse leader committed to upholding DEI practices and continually strives to balance a culture of inclusivity and equity among staff, partners, agencies, students, and the communities served. In addition, she advocates, encourages, and trains practicing educators on how to implement evidence-based interventions and assessments that close student achievement gaps, improve attendance, and launch students into college and career paths.
Where are we and what are we doing? Current Projects 😊
- HRDC is currently exploring culturally responsive transition planning including its focus on international regions and potential future outreach. Our goal is to better understand how students with disabilities feel about their preparedness for adulthood and how their families support them.
- Analyzing data from the Culturally Responsive/Sustaining Transition Practice Survey examining youth-focused planning.
- Special Series on Equity-Based Transition Practices.
- Transition Standards A group of HRDC Members is working together to review the CEC/DCDT Transition Standards through anti-racist, abolitionist, and anti-ablest lenses to provide recommendations on how to shift standards to be asset-based, contextually focused, and culturally sustaining.
Publications:
Jez, R. J. (2024). Culturally responsive/sustaining transition for at-promise youth. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434241235886
Romano, L. E., Trainor, A. A., & Newman, L. A. (2023). Triad transition planning for students receiving special education and English Learner Services, families, and teachers. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 46(4), 211–222. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434221143514
Sinclair, J., Jez, R., Banks, J., & Kucharczyk, S. (2023). Building equity into transition practice and Service Delivery: A call for systemic changes in the field of transition. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 46(4), 223–236. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434231183415
Trainor, A. A., & Romano, L. (2023). Intersectional research as a methodology for shaping transition research in support of Equitable Postschool Outcomes. Career Development and Transition for Exceptional Individuals, 46(3), 169–180. https://doi.org/10.1177/21651434231169990
Featured Transition Resource of the Month:
Interesting Reads
Diversity Calendar
Information retrieved from: https://www.diversityresources.com/diversity-calendar-2024/
January Diversity Equity and Inclusion Calendar
- January 13 – Korean American Day.
- January 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
- January 18 – Bodhi Day (Lunar).
- January 27 – International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust.
February Diversity and Inclusion Calendar
- Black History Month: February was chosen to celebrate African American History because it holds the birthdays of two men who helped eliminate slavery: Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln.
- February 1 – National Freedom Day.
- February 10 – Lunar New Year.
- February 14 – Frederick Douglass’ Birthday (Observed).
- February 15 – Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday.
March Equality and Diversity Calendar
- Women’s History Month: Honors the role of women in American history. The first Women’s History Month was celebrated March 8, 1987.
- March 2 – Granting of U.S. Citizenship to Puerto Ricans.
- March 8 – International Women’s Day.
- March 10 – Harriet Tubman’s Birthday (Observed)
- March 10 – Ramadan*
- March 21 – World Down Syndrome Day
- March 24 – Purim*
- March 25 – Holi
- March 31 – Easter
April Multicultural Calendar
- Celebrate Diversity Month: Highlights unique backgrounds, cultures, and traditions!
- April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
- April 6 – Tartan Day
- April 22 – Earth Day
- April 22 – 30 – Passover
May Diversity and Inclusion Calendar
- Mental Health Awareness Month: raises awareness for those living with mental and behavioral issues.
- May 4 – National Day of Prayer
- May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
- May 19 – Malcolm X’s Birthday
- May 26 – Buddha’s Birthday
June 2023 Diversity Calendar
- LGBT Pride Month: Pride Month recognizes LGBT people and the effect they’ve had on the world. June was selected to commemorate the Stonewall Riots.
- Caribbean American Heritage Month: This month recognizes those of Caribbean descent and the impact their accomplishments have had throughout American history.
- June 2 – Indian Citizenship Act of 1924
- June 12 – Loving Day
- June 18 – International Day of Countering Hate Speech
- June 19 – Juneteenth
- June 22 – Windrush Day
July Equality and Diversity Calendar 2023
- July 2 – Thurgood Marshall’s Birthday
- July 6 – Dalai Lama’s Birthday
- July 8 – Hijri New Year*
- July 14 – International Non-Binary Peoples Day
- July 26 – Americans with Disabilities Act
August Diversity Equity and Inclusion Calendar
- August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
- August 18 – Lord Krishna’s Birthday
- August 26 – Women’s Equality Day
- August 31 – International Day of People of African Descent
September Equality and Diversity Calendar
- September 4 – Richard Wright’s Birthday
- September 11 – Patriot Day
- September 20 – HeForShe
- September 21 – International Day of Peace
October Multicultural Calendar
- Global Diversity Awareness Month: An awareness month with the goal of promoting respect toward various cultures.
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month: This awareness month aims to advocate for individuals with disabilities and their inclusion in the workforce.
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women; this month seeks to boost awareness of the disease.
- October 1 – 4 – Rosh Hashanah*
- October 9 – Indigenous People’s Day
- October 10 – World Mental Health Day
- October 14 – Defender of Ukraine Day
- October 19 – International Pronouns Day
November Diversity Equity and Inclusion Calendar
- National Native American Heritage Month: This month celebrates the contributions — cultures, traditions, histories — of Native people to the United States
- November: A month-long fundraiser that seeks to raise awareness for men’s issues such as suicide as well as prostate and testicular cancer.
- October 31 – Nov 4 – Diwali
- November 20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance
- November 24 – Native American Heritage Day
December Diversity Calendar
- December 1 – World AIDS Day
- December 10 – International Humans Rights Day
- December 26 to January 2 – Hanukkah*
- December 22 – Winter Solstice/Yule
- December 25 – Christmas
- December 26 to January 1 – Kwanzaa