WOU definitions to know:

Diversity encompasses the similarities and differences between individuals accounting for all aspects of one’s identity. These similarities and differences include individual differences, such as life experiences, methods of learning and personality types and identity or group or social differences, such as age, color, disability, ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Equity is the fair and just treatment of all members of a community. Equity requires commitment, is the goal of our work, and requires deliberate attention. It is, collectively, a step toward recognizing past exclusion and achieving genuine inclusion. Equity is not the natural state of things. The university must deliberately apply time, resources, and consideration to achieve this goal.

Inclusion is the active, intentional, and ongoing engagement with diversity—with people, in the curriculum decisions, and in intellectual, social, cultural, and geographic communities in which individuals might connect. These intentional acts increase an individual’s awareness, content knowledge, cognitive sophistication, and empathetic understanding of the complex ways individuals interact—and change— systems and institutions.

Accessibility is providing equitable opportunities for participation in a given event, resource, physical and digital spaces, or experience. This is unique to the individual and their specific needs and situation.