This document was produced by:Saskatchewan Municipal Government Culture,
Recreation and Lotteries Branch4th Floor, 1855 Victoria AvenueRegina, SK S4P 3V7 787-8170
(ph.) 787-8560 (fax)
EQUITY CHECKLIST
To assess attitudes and behaviours towards women, people of
varied ancestry and people with disabilities
"Equity" means providing an equal opportunity and
"fair playing field" where all people may participate. Equity means that each of
us has the right to be ourselves, of our own abilities, heritage, race and sex. It means
that our access to an education, job or recreation activity should not be limited by
factors that have nothing to do with our merit as an individual. Equity means making
adjustments and adaptations if identical treatment results in unequal benefit.
The Recreation Branch believes in the value and dignity of all
people as individuals. We recognize the benefit to society arising from the inclusion of
people with disabilities, people of varied ancestry and women.
The Equity Checklist has been developed to assist in assessing
your attitudes and behaviours towards people who may be different from you. It will also
help you discover if your attitudes and behaviours are creating barriers for specific
people. It provides an opportunity to recognize your strengths and weaknesses and develop
some goals to make positive change. It is also designed to raise your sensitivity towards
issues facing people who face unfair disadvantages.
- This checklist has been designed to be used over and over. Using a
dry eraser marker, mark your choice in the boxes provided. When you have completed the
checklist and read the comment provided, simply wipe off your answers and share it with
someone else in your family, organization or community. The checklist can also be
photocopied for use in workshops, schools or community groups.
1. Do you ever tell or listen to racist jokes?
Yes No Sometimes
Do you think these jokes are harmless?
Words are powerful and have an affect on how we perceive and feel
about people. Many times these jokes stem from the desire to put someone else down in
order to make ourselves feel or look better. Verbal assault on Aboriginal people or
persons of different ethnic backgrounds may seem harmless, but you are promoting
stereotyping and many times a negative image of that group of people. Think before you
repeat racist jokes and change the joke so it isn't offensive.
2. Do you find yourself using statements that
"label" members of a certain ethnic group? (ie lazy, hard working, cheap)
Yes No Sometimes
Stereotyping is common among people who would rather deal with
labels than with individuals. Instead of recognizing that each person has unique abilities
and talents, people who characterize all persons of the same race or colour, choose to
accept a stereotypical image of a group. This generalization, if negative, can lead to
discrimination or action that may disadvantage or humiliate that group of people. Label
jars - not people.
3. Do you assume people who share similar physical
characteristics are of the same nationality or race?
Yes No Sometimes
Recognition and respect of various cultures and ethnic
backgrounds will help you appreciate the diversity of people and the benefits of several
cultures sharing. For example, descendants of the original people of any land are
"aboriginal or indigenous" people. First Nations People refer to people who are
legally designated as Status, Registered or Treaty under the Indian Act. Metis applies to
all people of mixed Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal ancestry.
4. Do you believe Aboriginal people are too dependent on
government?
Yes No Sometimes
The First Nations people of Saskatchewan have faced many
challenges over the past 120 years. The ability of Aboriginal people to direct and choose
their future came to a halt in the early 1870s with the increase of European settlement.
Several laws and regulations were put in place to control the development of the
Aboriginal culture and lifestyle. The Pass and Permit system restricted travel and trade.
Children were forced to attend residential schools, and loss of political leadership
within the First Nation community led to the loss of power and breakdown of family,
community and culture. This approach to gaining and controlling Aboriginal people led to
denial of basic rights that we now believe all Canadians are entitled to. This situation
also created dependence on the very people who were oppressing them. The struggle to
regain independence and self-reliance has not been easy. We can't change history, but we
can work towards honouring the Treaties signed by our ancestors.
5. Do you understand why employment has a major impact on the
quality of life for individuals?
Yes No Sometimes
There is evidence that equal access to employment has been denied
to certain people. This is not only a violation of human rights, but has a major impact on
the economic development of our communities and province. It also has an impact on the
individual's feelings of self-esteem and self-worth. Many times, employment for groups of
varied ancestry, women and people with disabilities tends to be restricted to low-paying
jobs with little opportunity for advancement to managerial or decision-making positions.
Attitudinal barriers, occupational segregation, pay inequities,
lack of training and educational opportunities, as well as cultural barriers all have an
impact on employment. Efforts must be made to network with educational institutions and
organizations to seek out potential employees. Jobs that don't require higher education
must be reassessed in order to open up employment opportunities. A positive, supportive
atmosphere must be provided in order to retain them, and training opportunities provided
to allow them to advance to management levels.
6. Do you believe that it is next to a miracle if a person
with a disability establishes independence and is self-sufficient?
Yes No Sometimes
The media often present stories of people with disabilities as
superheroes if they can gain employment, an education or independence. This may lead you
to believe that if people with disabilities accomplish anything, it is newsworthy! The
fact is that many people with disabilities lead fulfilling lives similar to non-disabled
people.
7. Do you find yourself describing a person with a disability
as a victim and someone to feel sorry for?
Yes No Sometimes
People with disabilities don't need your pity and prefer not to
be presented as a charity case. To make positive change and support a person with a
disability, start building an inclusive community by improving access to transportation,
employment, education, recreation, housing and information. Avoid using terms such as
"confined to", "Victim of", "suffer from" or "less
fortunate". Choose words with dignity and respect. Always refer to the person first -
a person with a disability, a person who is blind, person with a developmental disability.
If you think a person needs assistance - ask first. People with disabilities have
developed different techniques to accomplish the same goal. They have the right to choose
to perform the task independently or accept your offer to help.
8. In looking back, do your actions ever indicate to a
person with a physical disability that you consider them to be mentally disabled as well?
Yes No Sometimes
If you had a broken arm, would you consider your mental abilities
to be diminished in any way? Probably not. When people have physical disabilities it
doesn't necessarily mean their cognitive or communication abilities are affected.
Sometimes when the physical disability affects the clarity of language, you may have to be
patient or look for other ways to communicate - but it doesn't mean that person doesn't
have the ability.
9. Do you feel that people with disabilities expect far too
much from the community and improving access is too expensive and a hassle?
Yes No Sometimes
All Canadians have a right to choose a life for themselves. When
choices are denied or ignored, it creates dependence and exclusion. People with
disabilities have a right to fully access community services, programs and facilities.
Involving people with disabilities in the planning of facilities and programs will save
the cost of renovation later, and create an environment that is more accessible to
everyone. Curb cuts work just as well for strollers as they do for wheelchairs.
10. Do you think that a ramp is all that is
needed to improve access?
Yes No Sometimes
The fact is that many times a ramp will improve access for people
who have mobility disabilities.It is important to recognize that there are other people
with hearing, visual or cognitive disabilities who need access not only to buildings, but
information, programs, and emergency systems. A ramp will not improve access if there are
psychological barriers based on the belief that persons with disabilities are not capable
of contributing and participating in community life. Access means creating an environment,
physical and attitudinal that creates equal benefit for everyone.
11. Do you believe the words handicapped and disabled
mean the same things?
Yes No Sometimes
Actually they don't mean the same thing. A disability refers to a
limiting impairment a person may have. Disabilities require some individuals to find
non-traditional methods to perform certain activities or achieve certain goals.
Frequently, however, the individual's abilities are restricted further by handicaps.
12. Do you feel fitness and active living are more important
for young men than for young women?
Yes No Sometimes
Take a look at the programs in your community. Do they support
young women and are they designed to meet their needs? Low levels of self esteem in young
women can lead to other problems in life. There is strong evidence to suggest that active
living and keeping fit have a positive effect on self-esteem, particularly for young
women.
13. Do you believe that a woman needs to be protected and
taken care of and it is a man's job to do this?
Yes No Sometimes
Both women and men can play a supportive role for each other. As
well, each person has a right to explore and take risks they feel are appropriate in their
life.
14. Do you believe that most people who complain of sexual
harassment have no sense of humour or aren't being good sports about the comments?
Yes No Sometimes
Sexual harassment is any unwanted or unwelcome attention of a
sexual nature. No one should have to be subjected to derogatory remarks or degrading
actions. Everyone has the right to define how they want to be treated.
15. Do you use terms like "tom-boy" or
"butch" when describing a woman who may demonstrate what you may consider to be
male traits or catch yourself making comments like "you're acting like a girl"?
Yes No Sometimes
If you were to look at humanity as a whole and classify character
traits that were necessary in order for people to co-exist in a community setting,
(compassion, assertiveness, sensitivity, strength) would you define them as being male or
female - or would they apply to everyone? Everyone, at some point in time will display a
vast array of emotions and qualities. They are not unique to a certain gender.
16. Do you often find yourself describing how a woman looks
instead of her skills, personality or abilities?
Yes No Sometimes
Many times women are judged solely on their appearance. The image
of the perfect "l0" is not only unreasonable but impossible for the majority of
women (and men) to achieve. You ignore or downplay all the other qualities that a person
has by using this type of measurement.
17. When you walk into an office reception area, and see a
woman behind the desk, do you assume she is the secretary? Would you assume a man
behind the reception desk was the secretary?
Yes No Sometimes
Though traditional roles and employment for women have generally
been in the administrative support area, employment in non-traditional jobs is becoming a
reality. One should not assume that the stereotypical roles women and men have played are
the only roles they can play.
Assessing personal attitudes and behaviours is the first step
towards developing a community where everyone is welcome and everyone is included..
Unfortunately, being "aware" of the barriers that may exist is not
enough. One must take "action" to remove the barriers and expand this
understanding into the community.
Inclusion means taking steps to ensure all people have access to
everything a community has to offer by eliminating unnecessary barriers. What beliefs does
your community need to adopt in order to become "inclusive"? For example:
We believe all people have a right to be respected and should
be treated with dignity.
We believe it is important to understand people of different
cultures and backgrounds and that knowledge is the first step to acceptance.
We believe improving access is the key to inclusion and we
will make every effort to create and improve access.
We believe it is important to invite all people, who may not
usually be represented, to have input in creating community activities and programs.
For every belief statement you develop, you now must establish a
code of behaviour or take some action that would support that belief. Ask yourself, what
policies and practices would make those beliefs come true. For example, if you believe all
people have a right to be respected and should be treated with dignity, then your
behaviour or policy must reflect this.
An example of action may be:
I will not tell racist or sexist jokes and
tell others that I am not interested in hearing them.
I will not make assumptions on a person's abilities based on
their physical appearance.
By establishing policies such as this, you will begin to
eliminate some of the actions that lead to discrimination.
Has your community taken some steps towards improving access?
If you have examples of barriers you have identified and removed, send them to the
Recreation Branch. Good news and good ideas need to be shared.
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