Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Following the racial tensions that ensued after the murder of George Floyd last spring, the
Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD) formed a working group to construct a
statement that reflects our position on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Quite frankly,
this type of statement and commitment to DEI was long overdue. The group put in countless hours
of discussion that resulted in a joint statement. Last fall that statement was circulated for
confidential feedback among the CIDD faculty and staff. Below is the final statement that
reflects the position of the CIDD on diversity, equity and inclusion. We are grateful to those
who contributed their time to this effort, during what was already a stressful period for all of
us who have been coping with the impact of the pandemic. Let us hope that this statement has a
constructive impact on moving forward our broader community towards addressing the racial
inequities that have plagued our country and serves as a guide to clearly establish our core
principles for all those involved with the CIDD.
Joe Piven, MD
Director of the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
CIDD Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities (CIDD) serves individuals with
neurodevelopmental conditions and their families by providing high quality, evidence-based
clinical care, conducting cutting-edge research, and training health service professionals. At
the CIDD, we recognize that neurodiverse individuals have myriad racial, ethnic, gender,
religious, and other identities; this diversity is one of our community’s many strengths, and we
seek to understand and highlight it. Alongside the UNC School of Medicine, we are committed to
creating a welcoming, inclusive, non-discriminatory, and anti-racist environment for all
individuals and families we serve, as well as for our trainees, faculty, staff, and community
partners. At CIDD, we commit to the following:
- Condemning discrimination, hatred, prejudice, and microaggressions, while promoting respect, compassion, and inclusivity.
- Working to uncover our own biases, to hold ourselves accountable, and to make positive changes.
- Providing high quality, culturally sensitive clinical services.
- Conducting research that represents the needs and experience of diverse populations and promotes health equity.
- Promoting cultural and linguistic responsiveness among our faculty, staff, and trainees.
- Listening and learning on an ongoing basis.
The CIDD considers the individuals and families we serve, our trainees, faculty, staff, and
community partners to be members of our inclusive CIDD family. We value your perspectives and
input and welcome feedback regarding our practices.
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