Community Agreements

This Community Agreement has been established to make WAEE events a safe space where all folks can participate in JEDIA (Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Access) discussions openly and without fear. We understand that discomfort is inevitable, especially in dialogue about JEDIA concepts. It is not talking about these issues that creates divisiveness - divisiveness already exists in our society. It is through dialogue - even when uncomfortable - that healing and change begin.



We will refer to these Community Agreements at the beginning of each session:

• I will share from my own experiences.
• I will listen to understand, not to respond. 
• I will respect the experience of others' & the contexts they are founded in.
• I will approach disagreement with curiosity, not argumentation.
• I will make room for others to speak. 
• I will ask permission to share stories and experiences learned, and will maintain confidentiality.
• I will trust good intent and I will name impact.

Invitation to Engage

Before this event begins, we want to put forward an invitation and invocation so that everyone can come to this event as comfortable as possible in themselves, in their bodies, in their minds, and in the needs that they carry with them. So often we are expected to believe that there is only one right way to exist in a space. Let us use this event as an opportunity to listen to our fellow community members and ourselves to create an inclusive experience with many right ways of existing.

- Modified Language from Lydia X.Z. Brown’s Accessibility Statement.

WAEE Agreements

WAEE recognizes that accessibility requires intentional community effort and we agree to work with you on inclusion! Rachael is happy to discuss ideas, questions and concerns and can be reached at rachael@waee.org

For the annual conference, WAEE agrees to hold zoom meetings leading up to the event so that people can discuss inclusion, ask questions and receive support as needed. Time to be announced.

WAEE agrees, to the best of our ability, to borrow or purchase accessibility aids before events to be used by attendees. These may include things such as portable microphones for presenters, camp chairs/hiking sticks for outdoor presentations, and medical grade face masks. More details to come as we arrange these supports and more!

Presenter Agreements

If you are using a digital presentation during an event, you agree to make it accessible by following best practices, enabling closed captions in Google Slides or Powerpoint and presenting it in an accessible way.

During your presentation, you agree to work towards inclusion with your participants by starting with access check-in. Some things that may come up include staying on paved trails if going outside, turning off fluorescent lights, and allowing people to use technology during your presentation.

You also agree to work on incorporating different learning styles into your presentation . For example: hands on activities for kinesthetic learners, Powerpoints/flyers for visual learners, etc. 

Field Trip Agreements

We recognize that not every field trip can be accessible, but by making more information available, conference attendees can choose to attend field trips that are accessible to them. 

Please consider if your website has enough public information available on accessibility and if that information includes the accessibility of both indoor and outdoor spaces. If you do not have enough information available, one resource that we recommend is the Birdability site assessment.

Please consider having your field trip hosted by multiple people so you can break into smaller groups as necessary to meet the needs of your participants.

Wellness Policy

Thank you for centering your wellness and safety needs, and those of your professional community. In doing so, WAEE asks for everyone to uplift one another and practice the following:

• You are welcome to attend in-person events if you have not tested positive for COVID-19, the flu, or RSV for at least 14 days prior to the start of the event.
• Please wear a mask during in-person events if:
• You are immunocompromised and/or need to wear a mask.
• You are not vaccinated against COVID-19.
• You are experiencing any of the following symptoms associated with COVID-19 (and are testing negative): fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, diarrhea.
•  If you are registered and/or scheduled to present, and you test positive for COVID-19, the flu, or RSV 14 days or less prior to the start of your event, please reach out to admin@waee.org. DO NOT ATTEND.