Why DEBI Matters in Today's Workplace

DEBI: Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion have become the voice of a vast majority of the differently abled population. Discrimination has always shadowed workplaces in one way or another.

You can’t expect change to happen by just tweaking a few policies and SOPs at work; we need to walk the talk. Instead of categorising people under labels that limit their ability to perform, we need to openly accept them and make them an active part of the workforce.

UCD Professional Academy, offers an immersive Professional Academy Diploma in Diversity, Equity, Belonging & Inclusion (DEBI) course which helps enshrine the core human values of DEBI in all students. The course is designed to help individuals learn to build an inclusive organisation where we can celebrate our differences and stand united.

It will equip you with the essential skills and decision-making strategies you need to make diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion part of your organisation.

The Growing Importance of DEBI in the Workplace

Awareness and acceptance are paramount in our workplaces. Many differently-abled people bring vast experience, unique perspectives, and innovative minds.

One might think that inclusion is an ethical matter like charity or meeting basic moral standards. But it's actually much more than that.

The WHO estimates that 16% of the global population consists of people with disabilities. This 16% holds a big chunk of the customer base and other stakeholders.

Benefits of Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion 

Let’s talk about some of the advantages of diversity and inclusion:

Improved Recruitment Strategy 

Many people with different abilities bring broad experience, different perspectives, and valuable skills. Making them part of your workforce can benefit your organisation at all levels and increase productivity. 

All you need to do is make things accessible to them. By making a few changes around, you may be able to attract a bigger customer base and retain employees with different abilities who are better able to work towards your business objectives.

Inclusive Culture 

An inclusive workplace will foster an environment where everyone feels valued and is more comfortable sharing their experiences and opinions.

Innovation

Many products available today have accessibility features. Simple things we take for granted, like movies with captions or grab bars in the washroom, were actually created to assist the differently abled.

Once you have an inclusive culture, it will open the doors to innovation in your business practices and offerings.

Employee Expectations

Employee expectations regarding inclusion have also changed over time.

Diversity Acceptance

Of course, the most common expectation is acceptance in the workplace. 

Employees and customers expect an inclusive environment where their opinions are valued, they are involved in decision-making and other business aspects, and they are treated equally.

Equity

Employees also expect equity awareness and impartial workplace policies and practices. Everyone should have equal rights to apply for a job post and be given the same opportunities for growth and success.

Belonging

Each person should feel part of the culture, accepted and valued as they are. An inclusive culture is free of discrimination or exclusion and should celebrate diversity.

It should also become an important part of the legal framework and should be included in company policies. 

Why Ireland for DEBI Training?

Ireland is committed to diversity and inclusion, and the government has actively promoted the two through its various initiatives and policies.

An example is the Diversity Champions programme led by the Department of Justice. The programme supported businesses that adopted inclusion, providing guidance and support for making their places more inclusive and based on the principles of equality legislation.

DEBI practices have also become an intrinsic part of corporate strategies, where diversity and inclusion policies are essential for CSR and the many benefits they bring to the business.

DEBI is a ray of hope for so many employees, workers, and managers at all hierarchical levels. Almost all organisations are realising the need for DEBI in leadership positions and are ready to make holistic efforts in support of the movement. 

This is why many specialised programmes are also offered as part of the training or at various educational institutes in Ireland. These are focused on DEBI and aim to equip learners with the skills to implement diversity and inclusion education effectively.

Course Curriculum and Learning Outcomes

If you want to learn about inclusion and diversity and how to improve your organisation by making it a part of it, the UCD Professional Academy DEBI course is for you.

The course is designed for all organisations, big and small. Whether you run a startup or own a multinational firm, it will equip you with the strategies, knowledge, and tips to make diversity, equity, belonging, and inclusion part of your workplace.

The course at UCD Professional Academy is designed for around 36 hours over 12 weeks. It will start with the DEBI introduction and overview, where you will gain a deep understanding of the course and the opportunities and challenges that stand in the way of diversity today. 

It will also cover equality, fundamental human rights, neurodiversity, and how you can build an inclusive workplace.

All of these will equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to deal with challenges at all levels. You will be better able to implement the policies in your organisation with the right strategies you’ll learn in this course.

Key Skills to Develop from the Course

• Unconscious Bias: Unconscious bias often creeps in, affecting our perception of things and decision-making. Becoming aware of it will enable us to make better decisions and seize opportunities with potential clients, investors, and employees.

• Inclusive Strategies: A positive culture acknowledges people's unique characteristics and promotes increased diversity and employee motivation.

• Belonging: All these efforts will create a system of belonging where employees and customers will feel like they belong here. 

Expert Instructors and Practical Training

At UCD Professional Academy, we have professional staff with expertise and experience in the relevant fields. 

Our courses at UCD Professional Academy include courses from real case studies with DEBI principles so students can better

understand and apply them in real life.

Moreover, with our interactive learning and simulation techniques like role-playing exercises, we can better equip the students with knowledge of the real world.

Part-time and Online Learning

We know that most students are working professionals and cannot accommodate physical classes in their schedules. That's why we have a flexible online learning schedule so the students can balance their studies, home life, and professions.

Online Resources

You also get access to several online resources, such as lecture notes, learning material, case studies, and other content. These additional resources enhance the learning experience and give you a deeper understanding of the DEBI topics.

Discussion Forum 

There are also many community discussion boards for increased interaction with your peers and to facilitate a collaborative learning environment. 

On these forums, you can conduct or indulge in intelligent discussions, share your unique perspectives, and get each other's support throughout your course.

Conclusion

Enrolling in a Diversity, Equity, Belonging and Inclusion (DEBI) course today can be the best thing you can do this year. The course offered at UCD Professional Academy is life-changing for employees, managers, and business owners.

Here, you can gain expert insights from experienced instructors, take advantage of flexible learning opportunities, and receive comprehensive support throughout your course of studies.

That's not all. You can also build connections

with alumni and grow as a leader in DEBI practices.

So, are you ready to make an impact in the market? Check out the UCD Professional Academy DEBI course and empower your organisation with the skills and expertise you need to drive change. 

Still unsure whether this is the right course for you? Please feel free to contact our expert Diversity education team today and enrol now to unlock the best opportunities for growth and success.