Accessibility

INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE
Every attempt should be made to be inclusive when writing text representing the college's business, programs and services. Inclusive language does not make assumption regarding age, gender, race, or ethnicity. Inclusive text is avoid stereotyping people and is sensitive to issues.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT
Brookdale Community College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action educational institution. In order to promote this goal, the College will make positive efforts to ensure equal opportunity to all individuals without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability or Vietnam Era veteran status. (Board Policy 3.9007)

AGE
Avoid making assumptions about age-related abilities and career goals. Remember that our students can be five years old or over age 70.

DISABILITY
Use "person first" language. Use the terms accessible parking and accessible elevator, not handicap parking and handicap elevator.

• She uses a wheelchair; students who are blind; individuals with a disability.

DIVERSITY
Diversity is not just about ethnicity; it includes sex, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, and stereotypes. As a college that values and encourages diversity, it is important to communicate in a manner that is inclusive and treats all individuals and groups as equals.

• Avoid euphemisms
• Avoid "politically incorrect" terminology.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY STATEMENT
Brookdale Community College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. No person in whatever relationship with the College, shall be subjected to discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, creed, color, nationality, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, marital status, civil union status, domestic partner status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical hereditary cellular or blood trait, genetic information, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, disability, or other protected categories or activity (i.e., opposition to prohibited discrimination or participation in the complaint process). Sexual harassment is a form of unlawful gender discrimination and, likewise, will not be tolerated. (Board Policy 3.9002)

RACE AND ETHNICITY
Do not assume ethnicity. Hyphens are not necessary. Common race and ethnicity terms found on the college's admissions application and registration forms are white, black or African American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander. There are new race/ethnicity guidelines for students to follow when filling out an admission application, credit registration form, or continuing education registration form.

SEX AND GENDER
Use plurals whenever possible so that both genders are included. If the singular must be used, use both pronouns (he/she), joined by a conjunction, or rewrite the sentence to be non-gender specific. The pronoun "their" is plural and therefore is not a substitute for "he/she." It should be used only in reference to a group of people.

• If a student will be late, he or she needs to inform his or her professor immediately.
• A student, who anticipates being late, needs to inform the class professor immediately.

SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER IDENTITY
Gender identity and expression are different than sexual orientation. The external appearance of gender may or may not differ from a person's biological gender and sexual orientation.

STEREOTYPES
Do not make assumptions when writing about a person or a group. Not every engineer is a man, nor is every nurse a woman.