ADAPT Minnesota Proud to be a Safe Space

To ensure equal opportunity for equal participation for everyone and promote consumer-direction/self-advocacy, ADAPT Minnesota has developed the following safe space guidelines:

• People with Disabilities Lead
• No "Erasing" or Hierarchies
• Access Is a Value
• Share Your Access Needs
• Be Scent-Free (more information about scent-free spaces)
• Value All Ways to Participate
• Talk One at a Time, so That We Can Listen to Everyone
• Be Respectful
• Don’t Be a Jerk
• Violence, fighting, and physical or verbal abuse will not be tolerated.
• Treat everyone with courtesy and respect. Use polite language and think about the power and impact of your words.
• Address other participants by the pronouns and names they prefer.
• Speak for yourself and let others speak for themselves. If a person isn’t in the room, they shouldn’t be the topic of conversation. Gossip and rumors don’t build our community up, they break it down.
• No Oppressing in Any Way: Including Racism, Ableism, Classism, Ageism, Gender Normativity, etc.
• Honor the diversity within our community -- disability, age, gender, sexual orientation, race, economic status, gender identity, and more!
• Challenge Each Other Gently
• Consent, No Pressure
• Respect the privacy of all participants. Anything that is shared during an ADAPT Minnesota activity should remain confidential, unless otherwise noted.
• Cameras and audio/video recording equipment should not be used without advance permission from the subjects being photographed or recorded.
• Take Care of Yourself
• Ask for Help
• Seek clarification if you do not understand something someone else is saying.
• Nothing Is Perfect
• Take responsibility for group discussions and interactions. Make an effort to include others in conversation and try not to dominate discussions. Be sure to speak up if things turn negative or someone violates the safe space guidelines.
• While we ask ADAPTers to be scent-free and keep confidentiality, we are aware that we don't always have control over our environment, since we meet in public places and often have newcomers. We will work to create access in such situations. If you have concerns about confidentiality or scent-free access, please let the meeting leader know right away. We may be able to move the meeting, help a person to become scent-safer, or move around for greater access.
• Be Patient with Each Other (but Not with Injustice)