About this Toolkit
This toolkit offers a collection of high-quality, accessible, and adaptable resources to support learning and identify approaches for addressing DEIA issues in San Joaquin County broadly. This is not an exhaustive, prescriptive list. However, our hope is that the resources listed below pulled from a variety of education, community, and mission-serving organizations might equip viewers with historical and cultural references, practical strategies, sample work, language, and tools to help guide and make applicable the work of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access in their respective areas.
We welcome the viewing and use of this list accordingly. Items herein may not be owned or produced by the SJCOE.
Click a topic below to jump to the selected section:
DEIA Equity Toolkit
Defining Terms
Implicit Bias and Microaggressions
Power, Privilege, and Allyship
Race and Ethnicity
LGBTQIA+
Disability Justice
Religious and Cultural Inclusion
Mental Health and Wellness Resources
Defining Terms
Access or Accessibility: The opportunity [for a person with a disability] to acquire the same information and materials, engage in the same interactions, and enjoy the same services as a person without a disability in an equally effective and equally integrated manner, with substantially equivalent ease of use.
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
Bias: Is an inclination, feeling, or opinion, especially one that is preconceived or unreasoned. Biases are unreasonably negative feelings, preferences, or opinions about a social group. It is grounded in stereotypes and prejudices.
BIPOC: A term referring to “Black and/or Indigenous People of Color.” While “POC” or People of Color is often used as well, BIPOC explicitly leads with Black and Indigenous identities, which helps to counter anti-Black racism and invisibilization of Native communities.
Diversity: Refers to both an obvious fact of human life—namely, that there are many different kinds of people—and the idea that this diversity drives cultural, economic, and social vitality and innovation. Indeed, decades of research suggest that intolerance hurts our well-being—and that individuals thrive when they are able to tolerate and embrace the diversity of the world.
Educational Equity: Educational equity means that each child receives what they need to develop to their full academic and social potential.
Equity: A proactive strategic mindset and method that confronts structural differences in power, opportunities, burdens, and needs to design targeted, systemic solutions and deliver results that matter and last. As a lens, equity focuses on outcomes and the root structures that contribute to them.
Gender Identity: A person’s internal, deeply held knowledge of their own gender that may or may not match the sex they were assigned at birth.
Implicit Bias: Implicit bias exists when people unconsciously hold attitudes toward others or associate stereotypes with them.
Inclusion: Refers to the act or practice of including and accommodating people who have historically been excluded (because of their race, gender, sexuality, or ability).
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
Indigenous: Populations composed of the existing descendants of the peoples who inhabited the present territory of a country wholly or partially at the time when persons of a different culture or ethnic origin arrived there from other parts of the world, overcame them and, by conquest, settlement, or other means, reduced them to a non-dominant or colonial condition.
Intersectionality: This concept describes the ways in which systems of inequality based on gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, class and other forms of discrimination “intersect” to create unique dynamics and effects. For example, when a Muslim woman wearing the Hijab is being discriminated, it would be impossible to dissociate her female* from her Muslim identity and to isolate the dimension(s) causing her discrimination.
Justice: An action in accordance with the requirements of some law. Whether these rules are grounded in human consensus or societal norms, they are supposed to ensure that all members of society receive fair treatment. In different spheres, the principles of justice and fairness are expressed in its own way, resulting in different types and concepts of justice---distributive, procedural, retributive, and restorative---revealing important implications for socio-economic, political, civil, and criminal justice at both the national and international level.
LGBTQIA+: An acronym that brings together many different gender and sexual identities that often face marginalization across society. The acronym stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and the + holds space for the expanding and new understanding of different parts of the very diverse gender and sexual identities
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
Microaggression: Indirect, subtle, sometimes unintentional incidents of racism and bias that members of marginalized groups experience every day that can take a large toll on their mental and physical health.
Migrant: “Immigrant” is not a term used universally to refer to those living in a country other than their birth country. Other often-used terms include "migrant," the "foreign born," and "international migrant."
Oppression: Refers to a combination of prejudice and institutional power that creates a system that regularly and severely discriminates against some groups and benefits other groups.
People experiencing homelessness: Preferred term to “Homeless people” or “Unhoused” because it focuses on the experience someone is going through rather than defining them as that experience.
Privilege: Unearned social power accorded by the formal and informal institutions of society to ALL members of a dominant group (e.g. white privilege, male privilege, etc.). Privilege is usually invisible to those who have it because we’re taught not to see it, but nevertheless it puts them at an advantage over those who do not have it.
Racial Equity: A process of eliminating racial disparities and improving outcomes for everyone. It is the intentional and continual practice of changing policies, practices, systems, and structures by prioritizing measurable change in the lives of people of color.
Racism: This is different from racial prejudice, hatred, or discrimination. Racism involves one group having the power to carry out systematic discrimination through the institutional policies and practices of the society and by shaping the cultural beliefs and values that support those racist policies and practices.
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
Systemic Racism: Racism is not always conscious, intentional, or explicit—often it is systemic and structural. Systemic and structural racism are forms of racism that are pervasively and deeply embedded in and throughout systems, laws, written or unwritten policies, entrenched practices, and established beliefs and attitudes that produce, condone, and perpetuate widespread unfair treatment of people of color. They reflect both ongoing and historical injustices.
Undocumented: broadly includes all immigrants who reside in the United States without legal status. The best practice is to use "undocumented" not "illegal."
Implicit Bias and Microaggressions
Readings
Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain
Four Tools for Interrupting Implicit Bias
edpost
"Forget Implicit Bias, Let’s Talk about Explicit Bias in Education" by Colin Seale
Brown University Sheridan Center: Microaggressions and micro-affirmations: Opportunities for learning and inclusion
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
Tools
Hyper Island Toolbox
Circle of Trust Activity: The Circle of Trust is a tool that can be used both individually and for groups. You can rate your circle of trust - think of your ‘inner circle’; work, school, or another group - to see how diverse the group of people you trust is. This tool helps to uncover unconscious, affinity bias.
Project Implicit
Harvard Implicit Association Test (IAT): The IAT measures the strength of associations between concepts (e.g., black people, gay people) and evaluations (e.g., good, bad) or stereotypes (e.g., athletic, clumsy). The main idea is that making a response is easier when closely related items share the same response key.
Videos
The Royal Society: Understanding Unconscious Bias
POV
Implicit Bias Peanut Butter Jelly and Racism
Check Our Bias to Wreck Our Bias
C-SPAN interview with Heather McGhee
The Life Changing Magic of Hanging Out
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
TEDxWestChester
"Cultural Humility" by Julianna Mosley, PhD
Power, Privilege, and Allyship
Readings
University of Colorado Denver Office of Equity
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access 101
Center for Creative Leadership
What Is Allyship? Your Questions Answered
Tools
We Rise
Activity: Power Flower: Our Intersecting Identities
Videos
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
Lean In
What is Allyship?
What is Privilege?
World Trust TV
Cracking the Codes: Power Analysis
Rahimeh Ramezany Consulting
How to Be an Ally for Muslim Colleagues
Race and Ethnicity
Readings
Race: The Power of an Illusion
Ten Things Everyone Should Know About Race
American Psychological Association
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Inclusive Language Guide, 2nd Ed
Tools
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
Nearpod and National Equity Project Learning Lab
Course:An Intro to Equity: What It Means to Do Equity
Videos
World Trust TV
Racism in Education | Cracking the Codes: Systems of Inequity
A Healing Moment at the Movies with Joy De Gruy | Cracking the Codes System of Racial Injustice
Race Forward
Moving the Race Conversation Forward
LGBTQIA+
Readings
The Inclusion Solution
Blog: The Buzz: Why I Identify as ‘Queer’
Learning for Justice
Gender-Affirming Care: What Is It and Why It's Necessary
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
Tools
Learning for Justice
Queer America Podcast
Teaching Tolerance
Creating Gender-Free Nouns
Videos
Edutopia
3 Tips for Making Your Classroom More Gender Inclusive
Indian Health Services
Two-Spirit Identity: Then and Now
Disability Justice
Tools
Disability Equality Index
The Disability Equality Index (DEI) is a comprehensive benchmarking tool that helps
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
companies build a roadmap of measurable, tangible actions that they can take to achieve disability inclusion and equality. Each company receives a score, on a scale of zero (0) to 100, with those earning 80 and above recognized as “Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion.”
Religious and Cultural Inclusion
Readings
The Inclusion Solution
Blog: Religion in the Workplace: How to Achieve Inclusive Observance
Rahimeh Ramezany Consulting
Blog: 7 ways to make winter holiday celebrations at work more inclusive
Tools
Learning for Justice
Webinar Series: Religious Diversity in the Classroom
One World Posters (for download)
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
San Diego County Office of Education
Native Ways of Knowing Book List
Videos
National Equity Project
Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
Rahimeh Ramezany Consulting
Let's Talk About Religious Inclusion in the Workplace
Mental Health and Wellness Resources
Readings
National Equity Project
Blog: The Role of Healing in Equity Leadership
Blog: Healing Our Nation From the Inside Out
Tools
Black Emotional And Mental Health Collective (BEAM)
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
a national training, movement building, and grant making institution that is dedicated to the healing, wellness, and liberation of Black and marginalized communities. Offers training, peer support, virtual events, and grants for Black mental health support.
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
The nation’s largest grassroots organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals living with a mental health condition and their families. With organizations and affiliates in every state, NAMI effectively provides advocacy, support, and education for millions of Americans. At the heart of NAMI San Francisco's mission is the sharing of information and striving to end the stigma associated with mental illness. To this end, we offer a Helpline, support groups, educational meetings, newsletters, and a number of educational classes on mental illness held at various locations throughout the city.
The Greater Good Science Center: Teaching & Learning for the Greater Good
This course will cover the science behind social-emotional learning (SEL) and mindfulness and how to weave it into our schools to help teachers put student and educator well-being at the center of the teaching and learning experience—and, in the process, begin creating a kinder, more compassionate world.
Ally(ship): An action, not an identity. Members of the advantaged group recognize their privilege and work in solidarity with oppressed groups to dismantle the systems of oppression(s) from which they derive power, privilege, and acceptance. Requires understanding that it is in their own interest to end all forms of oppression, even those from which they may benefit in concrete ways.
Videos
TEDxDelthorneWomen
You Can Heal Intergenerational Trauma with Dr. Thema Bryant