Diversity and inclusion
Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs.
Ruah celebrates, values and includes people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures and abilities because we believe we are all better off, as a community and as a society, when we are all connected.
We believe true connection comes from a place free from judgement and discrimination where everyone is welcome and treated with respect. It is a credo we live by and a crucial aspect of our Manifesto.
We work hard to embed the principles of dignity, independence, choice, and privacy in everything we do, and to eliminate barriers to access and social inclusion, particularly for people living with disability, parents and carers of young children, older people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and Aboriginal people. We champion the rights of people with mental illness.
Aboriginal advancement and reconciliation
For decades, Ruah has worked closely with Perth’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. Since we helped establish the first refuge for Aboriginal women back in the 1970s, there has been a story of hope, empowerment and reconciliation underpinning Ruah’s commitment to justice and opportunity for our First Nations people. In 2018, Ruah developed its inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan formalising its long-standing commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, wellbeing and reconciliation based on a deep-seated respect.
We value an environment where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People are welcomed and treated with respect and their culture is celebrated. We are proud to have the ongoing support and guidance of Noongar Elders as we progress on our journey.
The Aboriginal Seasons of South Western Australia, by artist Rod Collard, was commissioned by Ruah to celebrate and raise awareness of Noongar culture. We are proud to share this inspiring artwork with our community.
LGBTI+ Community
In December 2020, Ruah achieved Rainbow Tick accreditation, and with it national recognition of our commitment to delivering safe and inclusive services regardless of a people’s gender or sexual orientation.
Ruah has long been a supporter of Pride events and was vocal in supporting the marriage equality vote in 2017 because we believe true connection comes from a place free from judgement and discrimination – where everyone is free to be themselves regardless of ability, age, culture, gender, race, sexual identity or intersex status.
Pronouns
At Ruah we are creating a place where everyone is welcome; everyone belongs and an important part of making someone feel included is using language that supports their identity. That’s why, when you come to Ruah, we might ask you what pronoun you use.
What is a pronoun and what do pronouns have to do with gender?
A noun is a word we use to describe a person, place, thing or idea. A pronoun is a word that we use instead of a noun, such as when we say ‘you’ instead of using someone’s name. Some pronouns imply someone’s gender, such as when we describe someone as ‘she’ or ‘he’.
What is misgendering?
Misgendering is a term for describing or addressing someone using language that does not match how that person identifies their own gender or body. By using inclusive language when we talk to people, it means that we do not misgender people. There might be times when we slip up, but our team are constantly learning and improving so that Ruah is an inclusive place for all people.
For more information about pronouns and language, visit Minus18.
For peer support or confidential LGBTI chat contact QLife.