Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility (EDIA) Community of Practice
Join our community
In regular meetings held over the academic year, we’ll discuss practical theoretical issues related to advancing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility at the University of Manitoba and beyond. Sessions include a mixture of idea-sharing and small-group discussion, to encourage everyone to share their knowledge and expertise, and learn from each other.
Come together with other UM students, staff, and faculty to
- explore ideas and actions on a range of topics connected to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and more
- build relationships with others who are passionate about transformative change
- brainstorm new practices and processes to align with strategic goals and visions
- share successes and struggles with initiatives and actions we’re taking
2025-26: Theme: Connections and Distinctions
Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility exist on many different levels: as commitments, initiatives, terms or acronyms such as EDI or EDIA. Both EDI and EDIA are often configured as something to mobilize around: either for or against. In this context, we can lose space to reflect and develop understanding of how we think and enact equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in relation to each other, in relation to Truth and Reconciliation, and through critical frameworks including anti-racism, social justice, and anti-oppression.
The 2025-26 EDIA Community of Practice explores important distinctions and connections between equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility work and related social justice imperatives. We will work together to build knowledge of goals, strategies, and objectives associated with work in various spaces. With increased awareness we aim to strengthen relationships and understanding through identifying places for shared action in making change, while simultaneously recognizing where separate learning and actions are necessary.
The University of Manitoba’s strategic plan MomentUM: Leading Change Together weaves equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility across its three fundamental commitments: “Fostering a vibrant community,” “Advancing Reconciliation for transformative change,” and “Building a sustainable future.” The circular relationship envisioned between these 3 commitments further invites us to think together about how our practices move in and across these commitments.
Session 1: Equity and Reconciliation - Wednesday, October 15, 10-11:15 am, Hybrid delivery
Facilitators:
• Christine Cyr (Associate Vice-President, Indigenous – Students, Community and Cultural Integration
• Tina Chen (Vice-Provost, Equity)
The relationship between Reconciliation, equity, and EDIA deserves careful consideration. Reconciliation and Equity work walk alongside each other and have many points of intersection, partnership, and allyship centered on addressing shared dynamics of power and privilege. Reconciliation, however, cannot be positioned as an ‘add-on’ or afterthought to EDIA. When reconciliation is placed under the umbrella of EDIA, anti-oppression, or social justice, it gets buried and reinforces historical and ongoing anti-Indigenous racism. This session invites people to join the ongoing conversations between Christine Cyr and Tina Chen on these issues and that inform their everyday work at UM.
The session will begin with Christine and Tina in conversation. This will then be followed by facilitated breakout groups for participants to share ideas, generate possibilities, and offer constructive critiques. The session will conclude with a full-group discussion and sharing of ideas.
Session 2: From idea to action through the Micro-certificate in EDIA - Tuesday, December 9, 10-11:30 am, virtual delivery
Facilitator: Robin Attas, EDIA Specialist, Extended Education
The Division of Extended Education and the Office of Equity Transformation collaboratively offer the Micro-certificate in EDIA, a three-course program available at no cost to UM staff, students, and faculty. In this session, we’ll focus on one of the courses in the Micro-certificate, EDIA 0104: Actions. In small discussion groups, learners who’ve taken the course will share information on the EDIA-related projects they completed as part of the course, as well as the lessons learned from their experiences.
This session will include advancing understanding of the goals, strategies, and outcomes related to projects rooted in: cross-cultural understanding, diversity, inclusion, or accessibility. Participants will be invited to think about the relationship between work that advances belonging, and that which focuses on advancing equity by addressing systemic barriers.
Session 3: Anti-Ableism, Accessibility, and Action - Monday, January 26, 1 - 2:30 pm, virtual delivery
Facilitators:
• Angie Conrad, Anti-Ableism and Age-Inclusivity Specialist
• Cade Kuehl, PhD Candidate
This session explores distinctions and connections between anti-oppression frameworks and diversity & inclusion approaches, with a focus on the relationship between anti-ableism and accessibility. Facilitators will lead learning on anti-ableism, then move into discussion of actions for anti-ableism and accessibility. The focus will be on simple actions and their connection to systemic change. From broken elevators to snow clearing, transportation to accessible documents, physical spaces to digital ones, we’ll consider what actions are necessary, what actions may not be as impactful (or have negative impact), and how we can develop critical capacity as we work together to advance not only accessibility but also anti-ableism at UM.
Session 4: Hosted by Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Office of Equity, Access, Participation
Date and Topic TBA
Session 5: Actions for Anti-Racism / Racial Justice / Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
This session continues learning on the distinctions between anti-oppression frameworks and diversity & inclusion approaches. The focus will be on anti-racism and racial justice in relation to equity. We’ll engage with critiques from anti-racist activists of conventional or corporate “EDI” and “EDIA” approaches; while also hearing from racially marginalized individual who work from diversity, inclusion & belonging approaches about the value they see in this approach. The session will be rooted in sharing of actions by those working to address racial marginalization and racism from different approaches.
Please register to join our sessions using the links provided. Everyone who registers will also be invited to join the EDIA Community of Practice Microsoft Team, so that conversations and sharing can continue between sessions.
For more information or to join the Community of Practice, email equity@umanitoba.ca.