Member LoginINCITS Receives 2023 Power of Associations Award for Inclusive Terminology Initiative
WASHINGTON – Leading U.S. standards organization INCITS – a division of global tech trade association ITI – has received the Power of Associations Silver Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its successful inclusive terminology initiative.
ASAE’s Power of Associations Awards recognize associations’ economic and societal contributions locally, nationally, and globally.
In 2020, INCITS, the U.S.’ leading standards body for technology, amended language used in its standards and processes to improve inclusivity and eliminate common but offensive terminology. Later that year, INCITS approved its Principles of Inclusive Terminology, which served as a guide for thousands of standard setting professionals to achieve inclusivity in all organizational deliverables. Building on its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, INCITS established a technical committee to further solidify the guidelines document and shepherd its development into an American National Standard approved by the American National Standards Institute. This effort ultimately led to further coordination with the international standards community.
“It’s critical that organizations take tangible steps to ensure policies and communications are welcoming and non-divisive. As the backbone of technology, standards are a powerful place to start,” said ITI President and CEO Jason Oxman. “This recognition of INCITS’ ongoing work and leadership in the tech industry to center equity and set clear policies to use inclusive terminology wherever possible marks an incredibly important step toward promoting inclusivity.”
“Thank you to the ASAE for recognizing the importance of inclusive language and the role that INCITS has played to develop guidance and best practices that have had an impact throughout the standards community,” said Inclusive Terminology Committee Chair Phil Wennblom of Intel.
“Congratulations to INCITS for exemplifying the impact associations have on the industries and professions they represent, and on society at large,” said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. “It’s always so incredibly satisfying to see associations going above and beyond their everyday mission to change the world. We’re very proud to spotlight this award-winning initiative.”
To learn more about INCITS’ initiative, click here. To participate in INCITS’ Inclusive Terminology Committee, click here.
About INCITS: INCITS – the InterNational Committee for Information Technology Standards – is the central U.S. forum dedicated to creating technology standards for the next generation of innovation. INCITS members combine their expertise to create the building blocks for globally transformative technologies. From cloud computing to communications, from transportation to health care technologies, INCITS is the place where innovation begins. INCITS is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and is affiliated with ITI. Visit www.incits.org to learn more.