Author: Dirk Jones II

APTA is committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the association, the profession, and society. To help enhance this ongoing effort, a committee of APTA's students developed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Toolkit to help individuals learn the basics of DEI, develop a deeper understanding of the concept's dynamics, and engage in action to foster change. In fact, the toolkit is divided into those three areas — learn, develop, engage — to let you explore what is most important to you.

As an APTA staff member, I can say that commitment to DEI starts with us. In looking through the toolkit to see how I might use it professionally and personally, several elements especially resonated with me. Here are my five takeaways.