Inclusion reimagined: Centering the experiences of people with disabilities

On-The-Move participants, Elizabeth and Spencer, flex their muscles after boxing at a local gym. Photo courtesy of On-The-Move Community Integration

On-The-Move Community Integration envisions a truly inclusive society in which everyone has a chance to interact with and learn from each other. On-the-Move offers employment guidance for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their support networks, and educates and partners with community members, organizations and businesses to organize meaningful activities that create relationship-building opportunities.

On-The-Move’s efforts align with the Building Community portfolio’s goal of dismantling inequities and creating opportunities to advance equity.

The Portland-based organization advances its diversity, equity and inclusion goals in four ways. First, it highlights the contributions people with developmental disabilities make in their communities. In addition, it flips the notion of inclusion on its head: The broader community benefits from the opportunity to interact with and learn from people with disabilities as much as people with disabilities benefit from contributing to and being active members of their community. Further, it creates community-integrated spaces that are inclusive of people with developmental disabilities. And finally, it intentionally designs its programs and services to ensure clients are able to express their individuality, have autonomy and direct their own lives.

On-The-Move recognized that to better serve its community, its diversity, equity and inclusion work needed to continue to evolve and take shape at all organizational levels. A Meyer grant of $137,956 over two years will help its board receive training and consultation to become stronger advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion. The grant will also help its staff review policies, procedures and practices to ensure the implementation of an equity lens throughout the organization, and support On-The-Move’s work with a consultant to implement a community-grounded evaluation process and strengthen its fundraising capacity.

We are thrilled to partner with them to support their important community-based work.

— Violeta