READI Committee

About the READI Committee

The READI Committee is a standing committee of Summer Street that helps ensure the principles of Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) remain at the centre of the organization’s work.

The committee brings together representatives from across the Summer Street community, including participants, board members, staff, and community members. This structure ensures that decisions and discussions reflect a wide range of perspectives — particularly the lived experience and first voice perspectives of participants.

The committee works to strengthen cultural awareness, improve accessibility, and promote inclusive practices throughout the organization.

What the Committee Does

The READI Committee helps guide Summer Street in building a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered.

Key areas of focus include:

• Building cultural awareness and cultural intelligence across the organization
• Promoting accessibility in programs, spaces, and communications
• Supporting participant leadership and first-voice perspectives
• Strengthening relationships with community partners
• Embedding READI principles into organizational policies and decision-making

The committee has also developed a Cultural Competency Plan for Summer Street, which outlines a pathway for building cultural competence and embedding READI principles into everyday operations.

Current Areas of Focus

The committee continues to work toward three ongoing goals:

1. Track and monitor progress Developing clear ways to document and measure the committee’s progress as the work evolves.
2. Review policies through a READI lens Ensuring Summer Street policies and organizational practices reflect principles of accessibility, equity, and inclusion.
3. Improve participant experience Finding practical ways to ensure participants have the most positive and fulfilling experience possible at Summer Street.

These goals are guided by ongoing conversations with Participant Council and the broader Summer Street community.

Our Learning Journey & Path Forward

The READI Committee has developed a Cultural Competency Plan that outlines the organization’s pathway toward greater cultural awareness, accessibility, and inclusion.

The work of the READI Committee is ongoing and continues to evolve through learning, conversation, and collaboration.

Participants play a central role in this work. Sharing knowledge from a first-voice perspective has helped deepen understanding across the organization and demonstrates the importance of keeping READI principles at the centre of organizations and institutions.

Through presentations, partnerships, education initiatives, and community engagement, the committee continues to expand its impact both within Summer Street and in the wider community.

Learn More

The READI Committee welcomes opportunities to share its work and learning journey with others.

Please contact us by clicking here to learn more about our journey.

Note on Accessibility

Summer Street is currently working on updates to the website to further improve accessibility, including the integration of JAWS screen reader technology and improvements to website navigation and readability.