PEAR

PRO-EQUITY ANTI-RACISM (PEAR) at WSSB

The pro-equity anti-racism (PEAR) effort is a statewide initiative to promote equitable access to opportunities, power, and resources across government to reduce disparities and improve outcomes. 

WSSB PEAR Statement

August 2023

On March 21, 2022, Governor Inslee signed Executive Order 22-04 implementing the Washington State Pro-Equity Anti-Racism (PEAR) Plan & Playbook and directing all cabinet agencies to develop and implement a PEAR Strategic Action Plan.

In the Executive Order, Governor Inslee shares a vision for building a PEAR ecosystem in the state of Washington and he articulates his intention that all state agencies do their part. At the Washington State School for the Blind (WSSB), we recognize that embedding the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility into all aspects of our work is critical to fulfilling our mission of empowering blind and low vision individuals to reach their full potential.  It is also the right thing to do.

This work is a priority for us at WSSB, and our core values of equity and accessibility have been foundational components of our strategic efforts. Although we cannot change the oppressive and discriminatory practices of the past, we have control over our current workplace culture and services we provide to blind and low vision children, their parents, and the community of professionals who are dedicated to a future in which every blind and low vision child in Washington has the supports and services they need to succeed.

The WSSB leadership, in collaboration with WSSB’s PEAR team, is committed to building the capabilities and the capacity necessary to do this work in a meaningful way. While responsibilities vary widely across our variety of departments, programs, and services, we know that each of us must do our own work to ensure that all blind and low vision individuals have full access to the opportunities, power, and resources they need to flourish and achieve their full potential.