DEI Resources

Curated tools, frameworks, and insights to support your equity journey

Featured Resource

Building Your DEI Foundation: The Policy Framework Guide

Essential guidance for organizations starting their diversity, equity, and inclusion journey with clear goals and actionable policy documents.

Read the Guide
Top view of team collaborating and working on case study at boardroom.

Essential DEI Resources

Frameworks & Toolkits

Disability Inclusion Action Tool (DIAT)

A comprehensive self-assessment tool for organizations to evaluate their disability inclusion practices.

Publisher: International Labour Organization (ILO) & International Disability Alliance (IDA)

Access Resource

UNHCR Refugee Integration Toolkit

Practical tools and case studies for supporting refugee integration in communities and workplaces.

Publisher: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

Access Resource

Digital Accessibility Toolkit

Resources for creating accessible digital content and experiences following WCAG guidelines.

Publisher: World Wide Web Consortium (W3C)

Access Resource

Inclusive Recruitment Guide

Evidence-based strategies for removing bias from hiring processes and building diverse teams.

Publisher: Catalyst Research

Access Resource

Research & Reports

Global Disability Inclusion Report

Annual report tracking progress on disability inclusion across sectors and regions worldwide.

Author: World Bank & WHO | Year: 2023

View Report

State of Workplace Inclusion

Data-driven insights on the current state of DEI in organizations globally, including barriers and opportunities.

Author: McKinsey & Company | Year: 2024

View Report

Migration & Integration Index

Comprehensive analysis of policies and outcomes for migrant integration across countries.

Author: Migration Policy Group | Year: 2024

View Report

Recommended Reading

Disability Visibility

Alice Wong (Editor)

First-person stories from disabled activists and writers

How to Be an Antiracist

Ibram X. Kendi

Transformative approach to understanding and dismantling racism

Inclusive Design for a Digital World

Regine M. Gilbert

Practical guide to designing accessible digital experiences

Need Guidance?

Our team can help you navigate these resources and apply them to your specific context

Get in Touch
Resource Guide

Building Your DEI Foundation: Starting with Policy and Purpose

A practical guide for organizations beginning their diversity, equity, and inclusion journey

Every meaningful DEI initiative begins with clarity—clarity about where you're going, why it matters, and how you'll measure progress. Without this foundation, even the best intentions can drift into performative action.

Why Policy Documents Matter

Policy documents are not bureaucratic exercises—they are strategic anchors. They translate values into action, create accountability, and signal to employees, partners, and communities that your commitment to equity is structural, not symbolic.

When done well, DEI policies:

  • Establish a shared understanding of what equity means in your context
  • Guide decision-making at every level of the organization
  • Create mechanisms for accountability and redress
  • Communicate your values to external stakeholders

Step 1: Define Your DEI Goals

Before writing policy, you must articulate what success looks like. Vague aspirations like "increase diversity" are insufficient. Your goals should be:

The SMART Framework for DEI Goals

  • Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve
  • Measurable: Identify how you'll track progress
  • Achievable: Set realistic targets given your resources
  • Relevant: Align with your organization's mission and challenges
  • Time-bound: Establish deadlines and milestones

Example Goals:

  • • Increase representation of persons with disabilities in leadership roles by 20% within 2 years
  • • Achieve 100% digital accessibility compliance (WCAG 2.1 AA) by Q4 2026
  • • Implement bias-interruption training for all hiring managers by June 2026
  • • Establish refugee integration partnerships in 3 new communities by end of 2026

Step 2: Involve the Right Voices

DEI policy cannot be written in a boardroom vacuum. Those most affected by exclusion must shape the solutions. This means:

  • Consulting employees from underrepresented groups
  • Engaging Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in policy development
  • Seeking external expertise from DEI practitioners and lived experience experts
  • Creating feedback mechanisms for ongoing input

Step 3: Essential Policy Components

A comprehensive DEI policy framework should include:

1 Vision & Values Statement

Articulate why DEI matters to your organization and how it connects to your mission

2 Definitions & Scope

Define key terms (equity, inclusion, accessibility) and clarify who the policy covers

3 Commitments & Standards

Specific commitments (e.g., accessible recruitment, inclusive language, accommodation processes)

4 Implementation Roadmap

Timeline, responsible parties, resources allocated, and milestones

5 Accountability Mechanisms

How progress will be measured, reported, and reviewed—and what happens when commitments aren't met

Step 4: Connect Policy to Practice

Policy is only as strong as its implementation. Ask:

  • • Who is responsible for ensuring this policy is followed?
  • • How will employees learn about and understand the policy?
  • • What systems, processes, or budgets need to change?
  • • When will we review and update the policy based on feedback and outcomes?

Remember:

Equity is not a document. It's a practice. Your policy is a compass—but the work is in the walking. Be prepared to iterate, listen, and adapt as you learn.

Need Support?

One Human Collective partners with organizations to develop DEI strategies and policies grounded in lived experience and systems thinking. We don't offer templates—we offer partnership in building frameworks that fit your context and drive real change.

Let's Work Together