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Development, Innovation and Access

Development, Innovation and Access

MDCR’s Division of Development, Innovation, and Access (DIA) is dedicated to preventing discrimination through proactive education by empowering people of Michigan with the knowledge and tools needed to foster equitable and inclusive environments. Through practical, accessible training on civil rights’ protections, inclusive practices, and unconscious bias prevention; DIA equips people in Michigan to build cultures rooted in respect and fairness. By strengthening awareness and reducing the likelihood of discriminatory actions, DIA’s initiatives promote equal opportunity across Michigan and support communities in creating environments where all people can thrive. 

Questions? Reach out to DIA via email. This inbox is regularly monitored, and users can expect a response within three business days. 

DIA Initiatives and Events

  • The Council of Government and Education, convened twice a year by the DIA Division, brings together leaders from local governments and school districts, to advance inclusive-focused policies and practices across Michigan. Established in 2018, the Council provides a collaborative space to address systemic unlawful discrimination and share effective strategies statewide.

    In 2025, it hosted a forum, “Local and State Government in the Age of AI: Innovation, Civil Rights, and Policy,” highlighting the growing intersection of technology, governance, and civil rights.

    For more information, contact the DIA Division at MDCR-DIA@michigan.gov.

  • DIA helps coordinate and advance Language Access initiatives throughout MDCR, ensuring that planning and implementation are thoughtful, strategic, and aligned with the department’s commitment to equal access. By working closely with internal teams, The Office of Global Michigan, and external partners, DIA helps streamline efforts so individuals seeking information about their civil rights or MDCR services can fully understand and engage with the information. The Language Access Coordinator strengthens MDCR’s ability to remove communication barriers, expand access to critical resources, and uphold State laws.

DIA Training Offerings

  • DIA offers research‑informed training experiences designed to help organizations build stronger, more inclusive teams and improve the way people work together.

    Our sessions equip participants with practical tools to reduce bias, embrace cultural differences, and strengthen inclusive decision‑making, ultimately boosting organizational engagement, innovation, and access.

    DIA’s training portfolio includes Building Cultural Competence, Implicit Bias Workshop 1.0/2.0, and the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), each crafted to meet organizations where they are and support real, measurable growth in cultural understanding and inclusive practices. These high‑impact workshops blend interactive activities, group discussions, videos, and reflective frameworks to create a learning environment that is both engaging and transformative.

    To explore available offerings, view the full DIA Training Flyer here; or, reach out to us directly at MDCR-DIA@michigan.gov for customized support and scheduling. 

  • Building Cultural Competence (3-4 hours): The workshop guides participants to evaluate the importance of shifting and adapting to cultural differences in efforts to interact with colleagues and customers more effectively. 

    Implicit Bias Workshop 1.0 or 2.0 (3-4 hours): The workshops explore topics such as systems of advantage, debiasing strategies, social identities, microaggressions, inclusive frameworks and more. 

    Introduction to Intercultural Development Inventory (One Year): This process provides individual and group profiles, conducts pre-training and post-training assessments, and develops tailored action plans to support growth in cultural competence. This engagement is customized to meet each client’s specific needs.

DIA Quick Links

DIA Popular Resources