Creating Inclusivity with Technology
Nov 30, 2021In the pursuit of partnering with both the CU Denver and CU Anschutz campus communities to continue creating an inclusive and just environment for our campuses and broader community, it is imperative that the Office of Information Technology (OIT) shares a campuswide commitment to inclusive excellence.
OIT continues to work on implementing inclusive software that intentionally creates opportunities to build awareness and tools that help support inclusive teaching, learning, and day-to-day operations.
Most recently, OIT launched the Zoom pronoun feature. The release endeavors to help our users feel more included, able to express themselves, and be seen.
While pronoun sharing can be particularly important to LGBTIQ+ community members, we also recognize that using pronouns truly benefits everyone, enabling all to better share about themselves and be more respectfully treated on the Zoom platform. Some common examples of pronouns are he/him/his, she/her/hers, and they/them/theirs. In addition, people are also increasingly using multiple pronouns simultaneously to speak to gender fluidity and or non-binary identities: she/them; he/them.
In addition, NameCoach was launched in summer 2021. NameCoach is a tool that celebrates diversity and promotes a sense of respectful connection by making it easy to communicate your name's pronunciation and learn your colleagues’ name pronunciations. Add NameCoach to your email signature today!
Finally, there is Ally, a tool for change. The Ally software aims to assist faculty with identifying and resolving accessibility issues within their courses as well as to observe firsthand how accessible content allows for high-quality alternative formats that can benefit all students. Reach out to our service desk if you would like to learn more!
Implementing inclusive software and technologies is an approach that enables whatever it is you have to offer to resonate with a far wider congregation of customers. OIT is committed to supporting and enabling diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campus.
Put quite simply, inclusivity is good for business.
