The D.I.F. Conference

Diversity and inclusion has to be talked about - but how do we do that, and in a way where all voices are heard? Come participate in a World Cafe dialogue to explore your own thoughts on supporting diversity and inclusion.

This workshop allows participants to openly examine current stereotypes, concerns, and challenges of LGBTQ communities. In addition, it will provide an opportunity for them to share their experiences with their own identity or gain insight of people who identify differently. The presentation seeks to provide participants with the foundation to reclaim their identities and own who they are in all aspects of life.

This presentation is scheduled for Concurrent Session 1 (11:15 a.m.), Concurrent Session 2 (1:30 p.m.), and Concurrent Session 3 (2:30 p.m.)

One of the best ways to connect with others is to create and share with them. Using art journaling practices, we will reflect on our identities, create art based on those identities, and take a gallery walk to observe and appreciate the diversity of identifications in the room. We’ll then brainstorm ways this kind of activity could be meaningfully used in clubs, classrooms, or other groups to foster empathy, celebrate diversity, and encourage connection.

Jumping into the puddle of Hip-Hop & Rap knowledge. Speaking about the past, present and future while remembering “The Message” given by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five. Speeding into a discussion, critique, and dialogue to determine if Rap music a genre that should be taken seriously?

Young individuals commonly experience difficulties in understanding functional loss and sensory decline frequently accompanying normative aging processes (Bodner, 2009; Kusumastuti, vanFenema, Polman-van Stratum, Achterberg, Lindenberg, & Westendorp, 2017). Utilizing the framework of Wood (2003), this workshop will provide attendees with an opportunity to gain first-hand experience regarding common functional loss and sensory decline occurring across the lifespan as well as engage in caregiving tasks. This aging simulation will also be used to investigate ageism and ableism as it relates to the lived experiences of those living with loss and decline and in-depth account of contemporary models of aging as they pertain to Successful Aging and Positive Psychology will also be explored.

Privilege is a very important aspect of diversity. In spaces for individuals to feel safe and heard, the people in these spaces must self-identify their privileges and the privileges that they do not have. The best ways to talk about privilege are to first discuss the fact that you should never feel guilty for having a privilege, but it is highly important to be aware of the privileges that one has. A visual technique such as reading a list of questions and having the participants step forward if they have what the specific question i­s. By using a visual aid such as this activity, it allows the participants to see the distances in which privileges and the lack there of can separate individuals within today’s society.