Partnership for People with Disabilities

Diversity is human differences. We recognize that diversity is reality and exists all around us. Inclusion is the way to welcome people in everything we do. Equity is the way we support people with what they need to succeed.

At the Partnership for People with Disabilities, diversity is a key part of our history, culture, and mission.

Diversity is human differences. We recognize that diversity exists all around us.

Inclusion is the way to welcome people in everything we do.

Equity is the way we support people with what they need to succeed.

We seek to create an inclusive culture where diversity is seen and valued.

Collective Impact

We believe in the importance of sharing information that is accessible and communication that is inclusive of staff, stakeholders, and community partners in order to achieve high-quality outcomes for people with disabilities and their families.

Empathy & Communication

We prioritize communication that is compassionate, responsive, ongoing, and engages staff, stakeholders, and community partners and strives for everyone to feel heard and respected.

Effective Engagement

We strive to effectively engage our staff, stakeholders, and community partners in decision-making, program development, and activities. This promotes a team environment where diverse perspectives are respected and members feel valued.

Autonomy

We believe that it is important for our staff, as well as the people and communities we support, to have the freedom to make choices that impact their life at work and home. We strive to develop and improve services that prioritize the rights of people with disabilities and their families to control their own lives and decision-making.

Belonging

We believe that the feeling of belonging is central to inclusion. We strive to create an environment where our staff, stakeholders, and community partners feel accepted, secure, and supported.

Collaboration

We believe that the quality of our work is enhanced through trusting and collaborative relationships with staff, stakeholders, and community partners.

Cultural Wealth

We believe that the nurturing of diverse cultural values and behaviors are important to our work. We value cultural wealth, which is the knowledge, skills, strengths, and experiences that are learned and shared by historically underserved groups 

Diversity

We value diversity and want our staff, stakeholders, and community partners to be representative of people who live and work in Virginia. This includes diversity of all kinds: race, ethnicity, country of origin, linguistic, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, physical or intellectual ability, beliefs, educational background, socioeconomic status, and other identities.

Equity

We are committed to equity and strive to ensure that our staff, stakeholders, and community partners have the necessary resources and support to feel successful in their work to achieve equality.

Family and Person-Centered

We use family-centered and person-centered practices in our decision-making, program development, and activities. This approach recognizes and builds on the autonomy, strengths, and contributions of people with disabilities and ensures that our work effectively engages and strengthens families.

Inclusion

We believe in creating opportunities in order to provide access to meaningful support and resources for people who might otherwise be left out or silenced.

Open-Mindedness

We encourage our staff to consider other ideas, opinions, and solutions and to demonstrate a willingness to change their perspective, approach, or behavior.

Partnership

Our work is rooted in our staffs’ partnerships with people with disabilities, their families, and community partners; these partnerships help us to support people's dreams to play, work, and grow in their community.

Respect

We believe in the importance of unconditional and mutual respect among our staff, stakeholders, and community partners. Respect is essential to creating an environment characterized by belonging, safety, and open expression.

Valued

We believe that it is important for our staff to feel valued, appreciated, and recognized for their contributions.

Willingness to Learn & Grow

We are committed to learning and improving our work. We acknowledge that these statements will evolve and our knowledge will grow as we continue to incorporate these values into the Partnership's decision-making, program development, and activities.