Diversity at PAI

As an organization

PAI looks to California's rich diversity and our vision of creating a barrier free inclusive society which values diversity, culture and each individual as the foundation of our diversity efforts. PAI's Board of Directors recognizes that achieving diversity and becoming a more disability and culturally competent organization is a long-term commitment. PAI's immediate goals are:

  • The creation of equal opportunities for people with disabilities and persons of color;
  • The removal of barriers to achieving a diverse work force; and
  • The development and implementation of programs and incentives designed to retain our most valued assets, our staff.

In its staff

PAI's Board of Directors and staff are committed to the principle that in order to effectively serve Californians with disabilities, PAI staff should reflect California. Diversity comes from qualities of the staff themselves such as disability, language and ethnic identity, gender, age, race, culture, sexual orientation, and life experiences.

As a disability advocacy organization, PAI is committed to implementing the principles it advocates in its workplace including:

  • Employing people with disabilities;
  • Implementing model employment practices including reasonable accommodations and accessibility throughout the workplace; and
  • Involving people with disabilities in decision making at all levels of the organization.

PAI's staff speak 15 languages and reflect the disability and ethnic diversity of California. Over 57% of PAI's staff are from communities of color and 51% of its staff who work in its federally funded programs are persons with disabilities.

In the clients served

PAI's goal is to effectively serve individuals with disabilities from ethnically diverse and language distinct communities. To accomplish this goal, we have a comprehensive outreach program designed to ensure that our services are accessible to people with disabilities from traditionally underserved communities. PAI utilizes a variety of approaches to best serve the diverse group of Californians with disabilities by:

  • Valuing different perspectives;
  • Appreciating different learning styles; and
  • Recognizing language and cultural issues.

Therefore, PAI gives priority to representing people with disabilities from traditionally underserved communities, including communities of color, limited English proficiency communities, rural and low-income communities, people who are homeless, ethnic minorities and evacuees from areas affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Additionally, through our outreach, we strive to increase advocacy services to people with sensory disabilities and to individuals with disabilities from the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities.