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ICCTA adopts Neurodiversity Inclusion Statement

Under the leadership of ICCTA president Dr. Maureen Dunne and Diversity Committee chair Torrie Newsome, the Illinois Community College Trustees Association adopted the following Neurodiversity Inclusion Statement at its September 10 board meeting in Springfield:

Neurodiversity Inclusion Statement

The Board of Representatives, administration, and staff of the Illinois Community College Trustees Association recognize that neurodiversity* among the students, faculty, staff, trustees, and administrative teams of our member colleges is critical to enhancing the educational experience for our students and providing for a more inclusive learning and operating environment, providing public benefits for our communities.

We believe that, when neurodivergent people are understood, valued, and empowered, we all stand to benefit from their important and unique contributions. This resolution represents our commitment to promoting an authentically inclusive learning environment in alignment with this ideal.

*Neurodiversity is defined as a strength-based paradigm to viewing conditions such as autism, ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia and Dyspraxia as differences in individual brain function and behavioral traits and as part of normal variation in the human population.

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Here are some ways to learn more about us:

Volunteer for an ICCTA committee
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Invite ICCTA to facilitate your board retreat or self-evaluation
Represent your college at an ICCTA board meeting
Participate in ICCTA Lobby Days in Springfield and Washington, D.C.
Host an ICCTA regional meeting on your campus

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#CCLiftUp for equity and diversity

Systemic discrimination and unjust racial disparities continue to plague our country. Those of us who work tirelessly for good through our community colleges and what they represent stand united against the base instincts of others who seek to divide, denigrate, and subjugate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and other differences.

The best way to give hope to those who have been victimized is to share what you are doing at your college and in your community to uplift people of color and those who are under-represented. We invite you to submit your #CCLiftUp stories to ICCTA at [email protected], and we will share them with our ICCTA community.