How To Embrace Diversity And Include Others Better with Andraéa LaVant
In conversations of spirituality, we often talk about manifesting and how we are 100% responsible for our outcomes. It is also important, however, to call out that not everyone is given the same resources or an equal opportunity to have the best outcome for their life. In order to be truly expansive in our spirituality, we must acknowledge and accept that there are differences within all of us and that we are all capable of openly inviting those differences into our lives.
Who is Andraea LaVant?
Andraea LaVant is founder and president of LaVant Consulting Inc. (LCI), a social impact communications firm that offers cutting edge corporate development and content marketing for brands and nonprofits. LCI specialty is helping brands speak disability with confidence. As a communications consultant and inclusion specialist, Andraea has over a decade of experience working with programs that support youth and adults with disabilities and other underserved populations. Her professional roles and personal advocacy have presented her with a variety of notable opportunities to share messages and prompt change for people with disabilities across the globe.
She currently serves as the Impact Producer for Netflix feature length documentary Crip Camp, where she is charged with leading the campaign's efforts to promote understanding of disability as a social justice issue and build across lines of difference. Andraea is a strong advocate for exploring disability from an intersectional lens and offers a unique perspective on the initiatives that she supports. Today's conversation is going to be an interesting and exciting one. Tune in to listen to the full episode.
Having a Solid Support System
When asked about her spiritual practice Andraea said something profound. “My spiritual practice really looks like, you know, studying, praying and continual conversation like I've really tried to lean into what it looks like to be praying without ceasing. Like, what does it mean to just be in continual conversation and asking and I think, even still, to really focus on the power of words and like knowing that words God created the world with words…And so I've also more recently just been like, declaring good things over my life...”
She also thinks “it's important to be in relationship with other folks that are like minded.” To have people that will keep you grounded and thoughtful. She has a few friends that will check in and ask if she meditated or is taking breaks. The accountability is a blessing to her and something we all could benefit from.
Andraea also wants to “[focus] less on myself,” she says, “to make sure that I'm looking at things holistically.” In addition to being supportive of others’ needs, Andraea also talks about the importance of being bold enough to provide feedback and have discussions that may be uncomfortable to have. “A lot of times we need each other for different types of reasons.”
Broadening the Scope of Diversity and Inclusion
As Andraea says, the whole concept of diversity and inclusion still leaves disability out of the conversation. “I think it's because it is not a cookie cutter process to engage because we all are so different.” She continues, “I have plenty of friends with the same exact diagnosis and that looks very different on each person. Our needs are different when it comes to certain perspectives.” Diversity is not often addressed, and as a result, the diversity narrative is so narrow. Unless disability hits home for someone whether it be oneself, a family member, or close friend, “[people] don't really think about it.”
Andraea ties in her faith to talk about how we are all a created image of the Creator. She adds that different perspectives make us better as we think about the people that we have gotten to know that are different from us and how that has expanded every aspect of who we are. And not only for ourselves, but for other people. The experience of accepting people, creating space for people, and not only bringing different voices to the table, but also having them as decision makers demonstrates our commitment to loving and valuing everyone’s lives. “We all have value, no matter who we are.”
Being More Proactive with Inclusivity
So how can we become more accommodating to others’ diversities? The first thing Andraea points to simply ask. “It’s asking specifically when it comes to helping people,” she says. An example she talks about is a scenario that involves somebody who falls. A gut reaction someone may act on is to come to the rescue to help the person who has fallen. In reality, it ends up making it worse because there's a specific way that this person may need to get up.
This “help mode,” as Andraea describes it, takes away the person’s choice to be who they want to be and speak for themself. Instead, approach the situation this way — a simple ask. “How can I help you?” “Would you like me to help you?”
In other instances, a lot of people will say, “I don't see race.” Andraea says. “And it's the same with disability.” At first, Andraea recalls appreciating that because she didn’t want people to necessarily look and just see disability. But what she learned is that she needs others to see the disability in order to acknowledge that her experience is not the same as others. “What I'm really saying is be considerate of my experience, whatever I choose to disclose.”
She gives a simple yet powerful example of how this could look like. She says, “I also have not been invited to things because...they automatically go, ‘Oh, I want to have a game night. My place isn't accessible. It has steps. So I'm not going to invite Andraea because I know that she can't get in.’ And honestly, I have a three foot ramp that like, folds up and can go in the car and come with me. So it's also like, give me the choice.”
Being open and upfront goes a long way. You’d be surprised what you can learn by choosing to engage rather than disengage. “So I love when people say, ‘Hey Andraea, I would love to invite you to this event. I know that it's not accessible. Do you have any recommendations, anything that that we can do?"‘ and then I can make the choice.”
To hear more of this fascinating and engaging conversation make sure to listen to the full episode here.
Affirmation
I am open and accepting of my truest self and therefore am inclusive of every soul I meet. I embrace them with love and openness.
Resources
Andraea LaVant's Official Site.
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