Tourette Syndrome is a lifelong condition that affects all races, ethnicities, genders, and ages. We understand that intersectionality, which is the intersection of identities — gender, racial, ethnic, sexual, religious, disability, within the community creates added challenges that are real and pose a threat to equal access and care. In addition, we recognize and embrace the diverse makeup of our constituencies and acknowledge that in that order to fulfill our mission, we must better serve all populations affected by Tourette Syndrome and related Tic Disorders. Your voice matters – please continue raising awareness, sharing your stories, and making change.
Our goal is to ensure that everyone impacted receives equal access to programs, resources and support, as well as treatment and care regardless of age, race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, religion or income.
To support this, we have established inclusion efforts listed below to better understand and deliver programs nationally and to ensure that our mission delivery reflects the diverse needs of the TS and Tic Disorder community.
- Sustainably address health disparities by assessing and increasing diagnosis rates in rural, minority, and/or economically disadvantaged communities.
- Integrate cultural competence and language that enhances health literacy within TAA’s online volunteer training program, including the Chapters and Support Groups across the nation.
- Increase multi-lingual providers, educators, volunteers, staff and programming on a national level.
- Host free and accessible programs geared towards more diverse audiences across the US that provide a general understanding surrounding the disorder among the public, in the education space and within the medical field
- Provide scholarship opportunities to attend National events, including the Youth Ambassador Program, National Conference, all of which foster social acceptance and group learning
- Provide a forum to research, discuss, and address national diversity issues within the community through social media, national webinars, and our website.
- Ensure the TAA nurtures and reflects the diversity within the entire Tourette Syndrome (TS) community across all levels of the organization.
- Foster partnerships with like-minded organizations to enhance our reach within various underserved populations.
