Are You Talking About Equality When You Really Mean Equity?

Have you been using “equality” and “equity” interchangeably? While they may roll off the tongue similarly and both focus on fairness, they differ in important ways that can have a ripple effect on true and meaningful change. Our schools and workplaces are important spaces that require thoughtful actions to address individual needs, barriers, and unequal starting points to ensure everyone has a seat at the table. When we recognize the power and intention behind our words, we can leverage an individual’s unique abilities, creating equitable opportunities for success and cultures that support and champion one another.

They Both Matter

Both words play a vital role in how we understand, act, and advocate for fairness. Problems arise when we use them interchangeably or fail to recognize which one a situation truly calls for. Equality provides everyone the same resources and opportunities. Equity recognizes the individual and provides the intentional support and resources they require to reach an equal outcome. Whether it’s school or work, it’s essential that the foundation is built upon equality with the intention to drive equity.

Lay a Foundation of Equality

Equality is tied to sameness, ensuring all people have the same opportunities. This can look like schools getting equal funding, access to the same resources, and consistent academic support. Even having the foundation of equality can be a challenge. Educators often have to advocate for funding and resources to create an even starting point to then implement equity in the classroom. 

This same foundational principle applies to the workplace. Employers must lead with equality by offering everyone an equal chance at a position, consistent foundational training, and the same baseline equipment. Building a culture that recognizes everyone is deserving of equal opportunities fuels the next step towards equity. 

Champion With Equity

Acting on equity shifts the focus from a one-size-fits-all approach to one that tailors support to each individuals’ unique needs. Providing the same baseline foundation is important to ensure equal opportunity. However, it is not enough to ensure success because not everyone starts from the same place or has the same needs.

When educators adapt lessons to connect with students’ learning styles, each of them is given the opportunity to truly learn. This might look like spending extra time reviewing a concept with a student or providing both visual and auditory resources to support different processing preferences. When we implement small changes that are focused on the person rather than just making things equal, we can create a system that sees equal outcomes. Equity changes the starting points with the goal for all to reach the finish line together. 

Workplaces thrive when they don’t just deliver the same support, but the right support. Organizations that champion the unique abilities of candidates by building different starting points based on skills and needs drive overall company success. Employers should ask how they can best support an employee, offer accommodations, and empower individuals to speak up. This will create a culture that is shaped by different skills, backgrounds, and abilities. Equity opens the door to meaningful and vibrant success by recognizing that placing everyone at the same starting line isn’t enough.

Partner with Caption Pros

Caption Pros is working to create a more inclusive world that champions everyone’s abilities. With equity at the core of our mission, we provide captioning to help events, schools, and organizations create spaces where everyone has a voice. Whether you are an educator, student, employee, or employer, you can advocate for yourself and those around you. One way to foster equity is by providing captioning at your next event. Connect with Caption Pros today to learn more.