New Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA)

In January 2023, we were excited for long-term DRC employee and leader Desiree Delonia to be selected as the new Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA). As the Director she’s been working to build and promote DRC’s culture where people feel empowered to be their true authentic selves in order to do their best work for DRC clients and the communities we serve.  

Photo: Desiree Delonia, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA).

On June 15, 2023, The State Bar of California announced that DRC was recognized as gold tier status in the inaugural Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Seal Program by the State Bar of California. The DEI Leadership Seal is a voluntary program to recognize California legal employers that commit to and implement actions, as well as show leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). 

“We are grateful for this recognition from the State Bar of California,” said Andy Imparato, Executive Director of Disability Rights California. “This designation is an important affirmation of our efforts to champion and model diversity, equity, and inclusion, and it is a reminder that our work in this area is critically important to our mission and requires careful attention and a sustained commitment.”

DRC is one of 10 employers receiving gold tier status in recognition for implementing the highest level of action items, including: 

• Creating a DEI Statement and Strategic Plan.
• Incorporating DEI into performance, advancement, and compensation decisions.
• Integrating DEI responsibilities into leadership job duties and hiring a Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA).

Read the State Bar’s full statement here

Learn more about the State Bar DEI Leadership Seal

DRC has 11 employee resource groups (ERGs) that are part of DRC’s commitment to being a champion and model for diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. An Employee Resource Group (ERG) is any employee-led group that comes together for the purpose of professional and personal development. ERGs serve as a resource to each other, helping to provide a sense of belonging within the organization. They are also a resource for the organization by providing insight and guidance on a wide array of issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and employee engagement.

Our ERG’s include:

Allies for All

Allies are a group of employees that may not directly identify to an existing ERG through characteristics, but are passionate in supporting the group’s members in creating an educated, supportive and inclusive culture. To be an ally is to unite oneself with another to promote a common interest. This open learning group is a safe space for all DRC Employees to come together to support, encourage, listen, and share ideas and resources that can help everyone move forward in a positive direction, creating a purposeful workplace culture, where staff feel safe showing up as their whole selves in ways that honor all identities and inform their work.

ASPIRE

The Asian American Pacific Islander Resource and Empowerment (ASPIRE) ERG strives to share the richness of our cultures with others within DRC, share immigration histories and personal experiences with others, and identify the unique barriers our communities face accessing DRC’s services. ASPIRE aims to address the significant stigma within our communities about disability and seeks to be part of the effort to empower people with disabilities. 

Disability Alliance

For employees who identify as a person with a disability, this ERG works on this question: What would it look like if DRC was a model employer for people with disabilities? This group works to identify and implement ideas about how to close the gap between where we are and the model employer state we plan to achieve. 

Dragon Users

The Dragon Users ERG is for employees who use or are curious about using Dragon NaturallySpeaking (speech recognition software) and other assistive technology (AT) to increase their productivity and reduce frustration at work. It is open to Dragon users of all experience levels, from beginners to expert. Employees can also use this ERG as a resource to determine if Dragon or other kinds of AT might be useful.

Estrella Latinx

The Estrella Latinx ERG creates a safe space for DRC employees that identify as Latinx to come together to support, encourage, listen, share ideas and resources that can help us grow by discussing professional growth, compensation based on skill/ experience/ contribution as well as supporting and finding ways to better serve the Disability Latinx Community.

Family Members with Disabilities

This group strives to be a resource of information and support, in a safe environment, for anyone who is currently an advocate for their family member(s), or for those who are considering stepping up into that role, using individual and collective experiences of the group as a foundation.

LGBTQIA+

DRC’s first ERG comes from and supports the LGBTQIA+ community. This group is for those who are a member or ally of this community. 

Mental Health

The Mental Health ERG welcomes all DRC staff, including people with lived experience (peers), people who have family members with lived experience and our allies who respect and support those of us in the mental health community. Goals include: to provide support and resources to one another, raise awareness, educate and help others develop an understanding about issues and concerns experienced by people in the mental health community, provide outreach and education to help eliminate mental health stigma and discrimination, and more.

Support Staff Resource Team

The Support Staff Resource Team creates an inclusive space for support staff from anywhere in the agency to speak freely, share knowledge, and build coalitions that will benefit them as members and the agency overall. All employees in support roles are welcome to participate: Legal Support, Admin Assistants, Assistant Clients' Rights Advocates, Assistant Patients’ Rights Advocates, Executive Assistants, etc, regardless of unit.

Umoja (Unity)

The Umoja (Unity) ERG creates a safe, Black space for DRC employees that identify as Black to come together to support, encourage, listen and share ideas and resources that can help us move forward in a positive direction, creating a purposeful, work-life balance. 

10 Plus Legends

Comprised of diverse, talented, passionate, experienced leaders working to further DRC’s commitment to ensuring employees at all levels of the organization and tenures, including long-term staff in non-supervisory roles, are compensated based on their contribution, valued, contribute in a variety of meaningful ways, have opportunities for professional growth and meaningful careers at DRC. This ERG is focused on DRC employees who have been here for 10 years or more, but who are not in supervisory roles.