Diversity Statement

In principle and in practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership. There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or class.

Diversity Policy

I. Planning and Implementation

A. The Association, states, and branches will commit time and resources to develop and implement a five-year plan to reduce barriers to underrepresented groups and to expand access to leadership opportunities with the intent of strengthening our diverse communities on a local, national, and global level. (Convention Resolution #1, June 1991)

B. Each state's long-term strategic plan shall include a segment which addresses diversity. (Motion by Delegate Body at the 1990 Conference of State Presidents)

C. Each state AAUW will form a diversity task force to coordinate the development and implementation of a state diversity plan. (Motion by Delegate Body at the June 1992 Conference of State Presidents)

D. The pride and power of a diverse AAUW membership shall be stressed in membership recruitment.

II. Access to Leadership

A. The Board will actively encourage members of under-represented groups to apply for leadership positions at all levels.

B. The Board will solicit applications from under-represented groups for appointment to leadership positions in the every member and leader publications.

C. Applications and other written material for appointments and elective office will include the following statement: "AAUW values and seeks diverse leadership."

D. All Association committees and task forces with five or more members shall include at least two members of under-represented groups. Otherwise, positions will remain unfilled until appropriate candidates can be identified.

E. Barriers which discourage under-represented groups from seeking leadership positions will be identified and addressed.

III. Training

A. Training will be provided for the AAUW Board of Directors, and training resources will be provided for states and branches.

B. Diversity awareness training shall be held by states. (Motion by Delegate Body at 1990 Conference of State Presidents)

IV. Publications and Programs

A. Association publications will prominently display the diversity statement: "AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership." State AAUW's shall print the full diversity statement on all state publications space permitting. (Motion by Delegate Body at June 1990 Conference of State Presidents)

B. Visuals will depict a diverse membership.

C. Publications and programming will seek to increase member awareness of issues of concern to women of color and other under-represented groups.

D. Lists of incentives and opportunities for collaboration with organizations of under-represented groups shall be provided to branches on a regional basis.

E. Speakers, panel participants, trainers, and facilitators at all AAUW events will include members of under-represented groups when possible.

F. Leaders on Loan will include the topic of diversity in presentations and leader discussions.

G. Workshops and other learning opportunities will be presented at conventions and conferences on diversity issues.

H. AAUW will seek to participate in networks and coalitions with diverse groups.

I. Special dietary arrangements shall be offered when meals are included in program packages.

V. Meeting Sites and Times

A. All national, regional, state, and branch meetings and events will be accessible to persons with disabilities, and all publicity about events will carry accessibility information. (See Policy 602 on Disability Access.)

B. Facility owners and operators who are known to discriminate shall not be patronized by AAUW.

C. No meetings will be held on the following major religious observances: Maundy Thursday through Easter, Rosh Hashanah (two days), Yom Kippur, the evening preceding the first day of Passover, Christmas, or major holidays of significant religious or ethnic groups. (All Jewish religious holidays begin at sundown the previous day.)

VI. Evaluation

The Board will evaluate Association progress toward diversity and determine the next steps at least annually.

POLICY ON DISABILITY ACCESS

It is the policy of the American Association of University Women to provide reasonable accommodation for its members with disabilities.

A disability is defined as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more life activities, such as seeing, hearing, speaking, walking, working, learning, breathing, performing manual tasks, and caring for oneself.

AAUW is firmly committed to providing equal access for its members with disabilities. This access includes, but is not limited to:

I. Accessible Meetings and Activities

These shall be accessible to public transportation, and locations shall conform to Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines for wheelchair access. Sign language interpretation and/or audio enhancement shall be provided upon request.

II. Accessible Information

Meeting announcements, newsletters, and other written AAUW communications can be made available in alternative formats upon request. These formats include, but are not limited to cassette tape, Braille, large print, and/or computer disk.

States and branches are strongly urged to adopt a similar policy. Guidance for developing and implementing such a policy is available through the AAUW HELPLINE, helpline@aauw.org.