This is the second installment in our series on answering the call for lifelong learning. To truly meet the needs of lifelong learners, you must consider how to make learning experiences equitable, diverse, and inclusive. Lifelong learners are not a homogenous group with similar backgrounds, academic preparation, and needs. In this post, our guest blogger Marc Harrington, Senior Learning Designer at Ease Learning, shares our view and commitment to supporting all learning with equitable, diverse, and inclusive experiences.
At Ease Learning, we are committed to creating and sustaining learning experiences that are equitable, diverse, and inclusive.
For over twenty years, our learning designers have created online educational experiences for a breadth of learners, including diverse and underrepresented populations. We define diversity as the range of human differences that can be engaged in the service of learning: personality, language, learning styles, life experiences, race, ethnicity, class, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual identity, country of origin, ability status, cultural, political, religious, military, or other affiliations.
As a company, Ease Learning strives to embrace differences and offer respect in words and actions for all people. We design for inclusion by creating online courses, corporate training, and other educational experiences that honor and recognize the worth and dignity of all people. Inclusive learning promotes and sustains a sense of belonging; it values and practices respect for the talents, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of living of all those seeking to enrich their lives through education.
Becoming conscious of the diversity of human experiences and viewpoints—both within our company and in the work we engage in with clients—ultimately enriches all the work we do, and is reflected in the learning experiences we create. However, it also requires that we grow and stretch ourselves as individuals. At Ease Learning, we aspire to create and support equity, diversity, and inclusivity as we honor the dignity of our colleagues and clients, and all of the learners that we mutually serve. We must expect—and seek—change and transformation. We are taking up this work in the following ways:
Accurately identifying who we are as an organization by illuminating biases and dismantling unconscious prejudices and stereotypes as we evolve
Serving as allies for any colleague or client in need
Studying inclusivity in learning design and implementing equitable online educational pedagogy in all the courses, trainings, and products that we create
Providing alternative resources for learners and instructors when needed
Encouraging new paths of accessibility
In order to address and achieve these ideals, we are committed to implementing the following:
Providing ongoing EDI training and education opportunities for our employees
Researching our industry’s experience of equity, diversity, and inclusivity
Reviewing and updating our company mission statement, policies, and marketing materials for inclusivity
Developing leadership that is inclusive, reflective, and supportive of the diverse needs of our company, our clients, and ultimately of the learners whom we serve.
The process of becoming responsive to all of our colleagues, clients, and learners—regardless of their cultural differences, their background, or their abilities—requires conscious effort, and we are taking up this work with inspired commitment and intention.
If you have any questions or for more information, please contact us.