Educate Yourself

Disability Inclusion Overview
Video and article by The World Bank on including people with diverse abilities and why inclusion matters for everyone. 

How to Treat a Person with Disabilities, According to People with Disabilities
We talk to people living with disabilities about the proper ways to treat someone with disabilities.

Overcoming Ableism: What You Don't Know As An Able Bodied Person
Naty Rico shares her story of struggles over the past 3 years at UC Irvine and the hopes she has for the future. 

Things People With Disabilities Wish You Knew
A 5-minute Buzzfeed video providing narrative on things that people with diverse abilities wish others knew. 

What is Ableism
What is ableism? A 1-minute read from the organization, Stop Ableism. 

6 Common Forms of Ableism We Need to Eliminate Immediately
Ableism refers to “discrimination in favor of able-bodied people,” according to the Oxford English Dictionary. But the reality of ableism extends beyond literal discriminatory acts (intentional or not) to the way our culture views disabled people as a concept.

Accessibility 101 Training
Student Accessibility Services has recorded a training to review the current disabilty/ability trends. 

Bias Buster: Awareness on Current Dangers of Perceiving People With Disabilities
James Trombka, Student Accessibility Specialist, from SAS wrote about a concept that had been coined by Stella Young, a current accessibility activist who discusses about inspiration porn. This term refers to is the objectifying of disabled people as models of inspiration for able-bodied people simply because they are disabled. Inspiration porn reminds able-bodied people that no matter how bad your life may be, you could have it worse, implying the negative connotation that disabled people struggle through life and suffer constantly.  This article discusses examples of this new term. 

NVISION Guide for Careers for Visually Impaired Individuals
Although people who are visually impaired work in as many different job sectors as people with normal vision, the unemployment rate of visually impaired people is significantly higher. The rate of employment of visually impaired individuals has been steadily increasing, but more opportunities need to be made for these highly qualified and skilled individuals to enter the workforce.

NVISION Guide for Internet Navigation for Visually Impaired Individuals
NVISION guide for internet navigation has helpful tips to navigate the internet on several devices and programs. 

Elevating First-Gen Student Success
Insights & Outlooks: What are some of the myths and misconceptions about first-generation students that exist?

Living a double life
As a former first-generation college student who is now a professor, I have experience with the struggles that many first-generation students encounter on campus.

There is something special about being the first…
…especially being the first in your family to attend and graduate from college. I’m First!, an initiative of Strive for College, is an online community celebrating first-generation college students.

What It's Like To Be A First Generation College Student.
Madison Mills. I asked three first generation college students what the label means to them.

The ABCs of L.G.B.T.Q.I.A.+
This article goes through the “ABC’s” of the LGBTQ community. 

'Ask Me': What LGBTQ Students Want Their Professors to Know
The federal law known as Title IX is meant to protect students from discrimination based on their gender identity. But many gay, lesbian, and transgender students say they face an array of challenges and safety issues on their campuses. The Chronicle interviewed more than a dozen of them to hear more about what keeps them from thriving in college.

Comprehensive* List of LGBTQ+ Vocabulary Definitions
To help you make sense of the alphabet soup, and be as respectful and accurate as possible when using identifying language.

Harvard IAT Test
Featured Task: How we think about race/ethnicity and gender. On the next page you'll be asked to complete an Implicit Association Test (IAT).

Why Pronouns Matter For Trans People
A person’s gender is always valid. Even if you don’t understand. Check out more awesome BuzzFeedYellow videos!

5 Tips For Being An Ally
This short video provides 5 tips for being an ally and can be used in any scenario and by anyone.

Mental Health Resources for the LGBTQ+ Community
In recent years, mental health resources have emerged that focus specifically on addressing concerns felt by members of the LGBTQ+ community. Online therapy gives community members more options for service providers and makes care more accessible. Many online resources challenge biases inherent in the medical community, and providers offer care that embraces the complexity of LGBTQ+ identities. This helps to reduce barriers to care that community members often experience.

Low-Income Students
Other than picking the right school, finances are one of the most important considerations when it comes time to pursue postsecondary education. The federal government, individual states, colleges and universities, private companies, clubs, and individual donors aim to make college affordable to everyone who applies for aid. Students may be eligible for grants, scholarships, loans, or work-study to help cover the cost of higher education.

New Film ‘Unlikely’ Shows How Higher Ed Sets Up Low-Income Students for Failure — and How Some Educators Are Helping Them Succeed
Film and article made by an alumni of a prestigious school showing how colleges set up low-income students for failure and how they can change that.

Why poor students drop out even when financial aid covers the cost
Among the many students heading off to college this fall, those from wealthier backgrounds are far more likely to graduate after four years. Hari Sreenivasan takes a look at why that occurs, and what one university is doing to combat this statistic.

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) - causes, symptoms & treatment
What is generalized anxiety disorder? Generalized anxiety disorder—sometimes shortened to GAD—is a condition characterized by excessive, persistent and unreasonable amounts of anxiety and worry regarding everyday things. 

I Am Not A Monster: Schizophrenia
Cecilia McGough puts a face to schizophrenia and helps empower college students through the upcoming non-profit Students With Schizophrenia.

Massive survey finds 1 in 3 college freshmen struggle with mental health—here are 4 things you can do
Mental health is a major concern on college campuses around the world. According to new research published by the American Psychological Association, over one-third of first-year college students are impacted.

More stress, less stigma drives college students to mental health services
Rates of anxiety and depression among college students in the U.S. have soared in the past decade. In response, schools are trying to figure out the right course of treatment, counseling and intervention.

On living with depression and suicidal feelings
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. "By the end of this talk, 24 people would have committed suicide worldwide." - Sami Moukaddem. 

Overall Mental Health Crash Course
A playlist of seven short “crash course” videos dealing with a range of different mental health issues. Each video is roughly 10 minutes long.

The Symptoms of General Anxiety and Panic Disorder
What is Anxiety, what is a panic attack and how are these two different? In this video we explain the symptoms of panic attacks and General Anxiety Disorder or GAD. We explain how you can help someone who is suffering from these conditions and how you may get help if you're suffering from it yourself.

We have only a small window into how our own minds work.
What are your automatic reactions when you think about anxiety, depression, alcohol, exercise, eating, or persons with mental illness?

What People Get Wrong About Schizophrenia
Scientists have learned a great deal about schizophrenia in the past few decades, but public perception of the disorder is still often rooted in outdated myths.

YOU at College personalizes well-being for every student.
The YOU experience is organized into three sections that closely mirror the comprehensive college experience: Succeed (academic success and career preparedness), Thrive (physical and mental health) and Matter (a student’s purpose and connection to campus). YOU is completely confidential and committed to protecting student data and privacy.

Understand PTSD
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can occur after someone goes through a traumatic event like combat, assault, or disaster. Most people have some stress reactions after a trauma. If the reactions don't go away over time or disrupt your life, you may have PTSD

VA College Toolkit
Welcome to the VA College Toolkit! This toolkit provides members of college faculty, staff, and administration with resources to support student Veterans.

Veterans and Military Families
 This website has multiple videos and ways to support and understand veterans and military staff. 

What does it mean to be a veteran?
J. Mark Jackson served in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division in the war in Afghanistan in 2009, and describes what it was like to be in the military and what it is like to be a veteran. 

ADHD As A Difference In Cognition, Not A Disorder
Stephen is a Senior Directing major at Carnegie Mellon. He is also the current President of Carnegie Mellon's Film Club. He recently completed his Thesis Project within the School of Drama: a production of Mac Wellman's "A Murder of Crows." He is currently working on creating a collective of Film Enthusiasts across Carnegie's Campus as well as other colleges and universities around Pittsburgh.

Autism — what we know (and what we don't know yet
In this calm and factual talk, geneticist Wendy Chung shares what we know about autism spectrum disorder — for example, that autism has multiple, perhaps interlocking, causes. Looking beyond the worry and concern that can surround a diagnosis, Chung and her team look at what we've learned through studies, treatments and careful listening.

Dyslexia, Dysgraphia and Dyscalculia?
FAQ-type article explaining dyslexia, dysgraphia and dyscalculia.

Sensory Issues 
Sensory issues often accompany autism. In 2013, the American Psychiatric Association added sensory sensitivities to the symptoms that help diagnose autism. Autism’s sensory issues can involve both hyper-sensitivities (over-responsiveness) and hypo-sensitivities (under-responsiveness) to a wide range of stimuli.

Transition to University
This is an updated version of the materials developed by the Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre (OTARC) at La Trobe University. This material appears on the Neurodiversity Hub under a licensing agreement with OTARC.

Being a Full-Time Non-Traditional Student on Campus
Short excerpt from a non-traditional student who went back to school at 32 years old and his experience.

The Myth of the Nontraditional Student
The message that colleges and universities send to such students that they are the outsiders is persistent and causes much psychological distress and self-doubt, argues Needham Yancey Gulley.

What Does It Mean To Be A Non-Traditional Student
If you are considering attending college in a less than typical way, you may be wondering if you fall into the category of non-traditional students. Although there is not a one size fits all definition, students categorized in this manner are typically older than average undergraduate students. They may face unique challenges as college students because of their age and their particular life situations.

5 Types of Nontraditional Students
Though some assume that most or all college students are recent high school graduates, there are several different types of nontraditional students attending colleges today. A traditional college student is someone who enrolls on a full-time basis right after high school and someone who starts the fall after finishing high school. Non traditional college students include anyone who does not fit this mold.

African American or black—what's the right term to use?
Listening to Donald Trump this campaign season has been an education on how to not talk about race. Something always feels a bit off when Trump says, “the African Americans" or "the blacks." So what is the right way to use those terms? And when do you use "black" instead of "African American"? Watch our video for some historical context and to find out: black or African American?

Battling Cultural Stereotypes
Sadie examines the stereotypes she deals with daily as a self-described "furious Hispanic." At the time of this talk, Sadie is a junior attending Park City High School in Park City, Utah.

Ending Violence Against Native Women
In the United States, violence against indigenous women has reached unprecedented levels on tribal lands and in Alaska Native villages. More than 4 in 5 American Indian and Alaska Native women have experienced violence, and more than 1 in 2 have experienced sexual violence.

Kids speak their minds about race 
In part two of Anderson Cooper's special report, kids give honest feedback on racial and social issues.

Middle Eastern and Muslim Stereotypes in Media
A 7 minute video on how the media and people view and depict Muslims and those from the Middle East. 

People Of Color From Around The World Respond To “White”
The further away you get from white, the harder life can be, sometimes.

Prejudice and Discrimination: Crash Course Psychology #39 
10 minute video crash course on the psychology behind prejudice and discrimination. Explains why we are inherently prejudice as human beings and the conscious and unconscious thoughts that go into these beliefs for race, gender, and other stereotypes in society. 

Reservation | Native Americans | One Word | Cut
About One Word: Cut invites people from different groups to weigh in on one word--and their responses show us just how complicated and unique we all are.

Understanding Our Perceptions of Asian Americans
An overview essay on Asian Americans, including identity issues (perceptions and misperceptions, use of terminology, understanding demographics, and the extreme diversity contained within the term

What Being Hispanic and Latinx Means in the United States
Fernanda provides a first person account of identity--addressing stereotypes and assumptions, and inviting the audience to dig deeper into the Latinx experience in the United States. Fernanda addresses the role of Latinx people in shaping the culture, politics, and economy of the USA.

What It’s Like To Have Darker Skin In A Culture That Tells Me It’s ‘Ugly’
Huffpost Personal article by guest writer Anu Kumar. "My parents never made a big show of complimenting my skin the way others had."

What Mixed Race Asians Will Never Tell You & The Struggle Of Being Mixed Race
These two videos explore what it means to individuals of mixed races to hold more than one identity and have people misrepresent them. 

What's the difference between Hispanic, Latino, and Spanish?
Hispanic, Latino and Spanish are often used interchangeably in describing race. But what's the right terminology? Kat Lazo lays down some wisdom.

Why Women Of Color Are Trying To Get Out Of The United States 
It comes as no surprise that a time when white supremacist groups have gained increased public notoriety and the President has disparaged African nations as “****holes," many black Americans are feeling isolated and unsafe in communities or workplaces. 

6 Misconceptions About Native American People
7 Native American girls debunk the common misconceptions about their culture. From Teen Vogue.

The Beauty and Diversity of Muslim Life
Bassam Tariq is a blogger, a filmmaker, and a halal butcher -- but one thread unites his work: His joy in the diversity, the humanness of our individual experiences. In this charming talk, he shares clips from his film "These Birds Walk" and images from his tour of 30 mosques in 30 days -- and reminds us to consider the beautiful complexity within us all.

The Big Religion Chart
This "Big Religion Chart" is our attempt to summarize the major religions and belief systems of the world - Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, and dozens more - into a quick-reference comparison chart. Oversimplification is unavoidable in charts like these, and it is not intended to be a substitute for advanced religious study and exploration, but simply a fast overview. It is our hope that this chart becomes a useful tool for you to compare basic religious beliefs and practices of the world's religions and belief systems.

Buddhist Beliefs: The Four Noble Truths
The Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path are fundamental teachings in Buddhism. They are considered equally important among all the Buddhist schools and are central to the core of Buddhist beliefs. Sometimes Buddhists are criticized for always talking about suffering (because of the First Noble Truth); yet the majority of Buddhist teachers I've come across, if not all, are the most peaceful and joyous people I've ever met. So surely, there is more to Buddhism than just suffering.

Compare Christian Denominations: Beliefs and Theology
Quick rundown chart of the difference between the seven denominations of Christianity

Do You Know the Basics of Buddhism?
Two hundred years after Siddhartha Gautama died, missionaries of his movement were sent out. Otherwise known as the Buddha, Gautama unofficially founded Buddhism after achieving ultimate enlightenment. This movement remained fairly local to Siddhartha’s home in northern India until King Ashoka sent Buddhist missionaries throughout India and into Sri Lanka, China, Tibet, Mongolia, Japan, South Korea, most of Southeast Asia, and parts of North Africa.

Do You Know the Basics of Hinduism?
Mahatma Gandhi, the famous nonviolent Hindu reformer, explained that Hinduism is not an exclusive religion. Gandhi said, “If a man reaches the heart of his own religion, he has reached the heart of the others too. There is only one God, and there are many paths to him.” Although some ideas unify Hinduism, it is an extremely tolerant religion that allows its followers full freedom to choose their own belief system and way of life.

Do You Know What A Sikh Is? 70% Of Americans Don't.
José Díaz-Balart talks with Jasjit Singh, director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, about a powerful public service announcement aimed at clearing up misconceptions around the Sikh community.

The Five Major World Religions
Explore the intertwined histories and cultures of the major religions: Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam.

A Glossary of Islamic Clothing
Muslims generally observe modest dress, but the variety of styles and colors have various names depending on the country. Here is a glossary of the most common names of Islamic clothing for both men and women, along with photos and descriptions.

Head Coverings Used in Abrahamic Religions and Their Cultural Significance
Wearing head coverings is an extremely prevalent practice in Abrahamic religions. Globally, each practice has its own unique cultural background, often ordered by gender, offering insight into its traditional significance. In order to understand this, it is of utmost importance to be educated about various head covering practices and what they represent for the people who follow them.

Hinduism: Basic Beliefs 
The fundamental teaching of Hinduism, or Vedanta, is that a human being's basic nature is not confined to the body or the mind. Beyond both of these is the spirit or the spark of God within the soul.

Judaism Explained: Religions in Global History
What do Jews believe? What are the basic beliefs of the Jewish faith? A short overview of Judaism.

My Turban and Me Documentary
Documentary with actor and comedian Sanjeev Kohli, who goes on a personal journey to find out more about the significance of the Sikh turban in Britain today.

What is Paganism? 
Website about what Paganism is and what their religion consists of.

What Is Paganism? YouTube Video
Thousands of forest fires are raging through Indonesia creating a toxic haze over Southeast Asia. So what is the cause behind these deadly fires?

Religious Clothing Explained: Understanding Turbans, Hijabs, and More
Most of us have crossed paths with someone identifying with a religious group different from our own, and are left with a natural curiosity about why they wear what they wear. Here, we explore the significance of wearable symbols of faith. 

Sikhism: A Very Short Introduction
Eleanor Nesbitt,  author of the Very Short Introduction to Sikhism, tells us 10 things we should know about Sikhism.

Sikhism: 5 Things To Know About The Sikh Religion
Sikhism is the fifth largest religion in the world with a population of upwards of 30 million worldwide. There are an estimated 250,000 Sikhs in the United States having first arrived in the late 19th century.

Top ten facts about Buddhism
Damien Keown, author of Buddhism: A Very Short Introduction, tells us ten things we need to know about Buddhism.

What Being Jewish Means to Me
As recent surveys reveal a disturbingly large number of American Jews—millions, in fact—who feel disconnected from their Jewish identity, allow me to share what being Jewish means to me.

What does the Quran really say about a Muslim woman's hijab?
In recent times, the resurgence of the hijab along with various countries’ enforcement of it has led many to believe that Muslim women are required by their faith to wear the hijab. In this informative talk, novelist Samina Ali takes us on a journey back to Prophet Muhammad's time to reveal what the term “hijab” really means -- and it's not the Muslim woman's veil! So what does “hijab” actually mean, if not the veil, and how have fundamentalists conflated the term to deny women their rights? This surprising and unprecedented idea will not only challenge your assumptions about hijab but will change the way you see Muslim women.

The Credibility Gap: How Sexism Shapes Human Knowledge
It's a man's world...but what does that mean? Today, when you Google "Are Women...?" the most likely suggested answer you'll get is "Evil." What does the suppression of women's experiences and knowledge in culture and media mean in terms of human understanding? How does a global suppression of women's experiences, perspectives and storytelling result in injustice and inequality? This talk dives into the question of what male-centered culture really means. 

The Fight For Women's Rights
As Hillary Clinton makes another bid to become the United States’ first female president, the fight for gender equality is far from over: women continue to face issues like abortion rights and equal pay.

A glass ceiling - or a broken ladder?
Men continue to outnumber women in senior leadership roles around the world - but reports suggest this isn't the only inequality problem in the workplace. Women say they feel left out of social events, face sexual harassment and get criticized for being aggressive. So are women hitting a glass ceiling, or are they also climbing a broken ladder? As part of this year's 100 Women, a team in Silicon Valley, where women hold just one in 10 senior positions, will be looking at ways to tackle this problem. 

The History of Women's Right to Vote
This summer we begin our celebration of the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment. The amendment that guaranteed women the right to vote. It’s often thought that the amendment was necessary because the Constitution prohibited women from voting. But American women actually have a history of voting, stretching back to the early republic.

Kids Explain Why Women Are Paid Less Than Men
Equal pay is an issue that could affect many generations of Americans and since children are our future, Jimmy thought it would be a good idea to get their take on it. So we went out on the street and asked kids to explain why they think women get paid less than men. This is what they had to say.

The Origins of ‘Women’s Rights Are Human Rights’
The struggle for women’s political rights in the United States has deep and complex roots, says historian Kate Lemay. She recently launched a show at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., called “Votes for Women: A Portrait of Persistence.”

8 Movies to Watch for Women's History Month
Looking for powerful movies to watch during Women's History Month? Here are eight fact-based stories about women that could spark great conversations with your kids.

How Privilege Actually Works (No, It's Not About Scoring Points On A Quiz)
Privilege is less about the individual and more about the social structures that they are a part of. BuzzFeed India recently published a quiz titled “How Privileged Are You?” (See Below). Over 400,000 people accessed the quiz and consequently, it generated a fair amount of discussion on social media. 

How Privileged Are You?
Buzzfeed's quiz helps people try to understand just how privileged they might be. 

Making Progress On Diversity, Just Not Enough
This article is part of a series of op-eds by CEOs of companies participating in CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion, the largest CEO-led business coalition focused on advancing diversity and inclusion in the U.S. 

A Millennial Teaching Diversity
Cecilia Montesdeoca, ISU assistant professor of Anthropology; pioneer student for Stevenson Center’s Applied Community & Economic Development Fellowship program, presents: “A Millennial Teaching Diversity”

The Responsibility of Privilege
On Saturday night I dreamed I was in the elegant living room of an older wealthy woman. I stood next to her delivering an emphatic, tearful plea, insisting, “When you are born into privilege it is your responsibility to help others less fortunate than you.”

Teens Talk About Diversity
USA TODAY asked teens at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. about diversity and how it affects their lives and generation.

What Is Privilege?
In the lead-up to Australia’s national day, as an increasing number of us reflect on the deeper meaning of "Australia Day" and what it has come to represent, we set out to interrogate how societal privilege plays out in Australian society.