The Social Work Dimensions of Diversity Library Guide
One of my favorite parts of teaching social work is watching students discover the connections between theory and practice, especially those moments when social justice moves from abstract ideas to meaningful frameworks for understanding the world. Finding the right learning resources, such as a book, movie or podcast, to facilitate those discoveries hasn’t always been easy.
Like many of you, I’ve spent countless hours searching for materials that do more than just acknowledge diversity. I wanted resources that helped students understand how systems of power and privilege actually shape people’s lives, materials that centered the voices of those most affected by oppression. I also realized that if I, as a full-time educator, was spending a lot of time finding these resources, our adjunct faculty might be struggling too. Given that the Council on Social Work Education’s 2022 Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards (CSWE, 2022) now embeds requirements for diversity and equity content throughout social work curricula, I wanted to find a way to curate and share resources.
This idea led to an exciting collaboration with Dana Hettich, a reference librarian at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Libraries. Together with help from Lana Turner, MSW Student and soon-to-be UAB alumnus, we developed the Social Work Dimensions of Diversity Library Guide, a project that has become more than just a teaching resource. It’s evolved into a living, collaborative space where students, faculty, and librarians work together to build something meaningful.
What We Built
The Social Work Dimensions of Diversity Library Guide is organized around the 20 or so diversity dimensions listed under Social Work Competency 3: Engage Anti-racism, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ADEI) in Practice (CSWE, 2022, p. 9). It uses a combination of our library’s collection, open education resources, and high-quality web-based content, and is designed to be accessible to students and faculty. Here’s what you’ll find in our guide:
- Academic readings that span historical and contemporary perspectives on social justice, intersectionality, and disability studies—from foundational texts to emerging scholarship
- Multimedia resources, including films, podcasts, and short videos that bring lived experiences into the conversation and illustrate concepts in accessible ways
- Organizations and advocacy resources highlighting local, national, and international examples of activism, mutual aid, and cross-movement solidarity
- Teaching tools like search terms, reflection prompts, and a diversity calendar that highlights awareness months and social justice events throughout the year
We recently presented this work as a poster at the 71st Annual Program Meeting of the Council on Social Work Education in Denver, CO, on October 26, 2025. Here is our presentation proposal:
As the field of social work continues to evolve, there is an increasing demand for curricula that effectively address anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), as well as disability justice. Social work education must move beyond traditional frameworks and incorporate anti-oppressive, intersectional, and disability justice principles to prepare students for practice in an increasingly diverse and complex society (Singh et al., 2024). However, many students and educators struggle to find comprehensive, accessible resources that integrate historical and contemporary perspectives on systemic oppression, privilege, and intersectionality into social work curricula (Slater et al., 2023).
To address this need, a comprehensive library guide was developed as an educational tool for social work students, faculty, and practitioners. Grounded in the 20 dimensions of diversity identified by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE, 2022), this guide provides a structured approach to understanding oppression, privilege, disability justice, and systemic barriers. It is a curated collection of academic and community-based resources that support critical analysis, advocacy, and inclusive social work education.
The library guide used evidence-based selection criteria to balance historical and contemporary materials while prioritizing accessibility and representation. It includes a range of resources such as:
- Academic Readings – Books, peer-reviewed journal articles, and research reports from experts in social work, disability justice, and anti-oppressive practice.
- Multimedia Content – Films, podcasts, and short clips that explore intersectionality, collective liberation, and social justice.
- Professional and Grassroots Organizations – A mix of local, national, and international organizations highlighting cross-movement solidarity, mutual aid, and disability justice activism.
The guide’s resources align with CSWE’s 2022 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS) and integrate disability justice principles, including interdependence, collective access, and recognition of wholeness. By centering the voices of those most impacted, the guide fosters a deeper understanding of how systemic inequities impact diverse populations, equipping students with the tools to engage in transformative social work practice.
Since its implementation, the library guide has impacted social work education at our institution. Faculty have integrated their materials into curricula, classroom discussions, and assignments, enhancing students’ ability to critically engage with themes of intersectionality, disability justice, and anti-oppressive practice. Preliminary feedback suggests that students find the guide particularly valuable for:
- Exploring real-world applications of social work theory
- Enhancing critical thinking and reflective practice
- Developing strategies for advocacy and inclusive social work interventions
This poster presentation will provide a detailed overview of the guide’s development, structure, and application in social work education. Additionally, it will explore how digital resources can be leveraged to advance disability justice, intersectionality, and anti-oppressive teaching. Examples of how faculty and students have utilized the guide will be presented, along with testimonials and recommendations for institutions looking to adopt similar models.
This poster aims to inspire social work educators to integrate disability justice and intersectionality into their curricula by introducing this library guide as a model for equity-driven, anti-oppressive education. Participants will leave with practical strategies for implementing similar resources in their programs, contributing to a more inclusive and justice-oriented social work profession.
Here is our poster:
What I’ve Learned
Creating this guide has reminded me why I love teaching. The guide has not just been about transferring knowledge. It is about building a sustainable resource with others, something that grows and changes as we learn from each other. The Dimensions of Diversity Library Guide has become more than a teaching tool for me. It is also a space that supports my own critical reflection and inquiry into anti-oppressive practice by consuming content for myself and reading submitted student work. I also talk about how I use the guide with students, as a way to model that I am still learning and that the work of advancing justice is collaborative by nature.
If you’re interested in exploring our version or thinking about creating something similar at your institution, I’d genuinely love to hear from you by leaving a comment below. You can use and share our guide with others, but please give us proper credit and do not use it for commercial purposes.
References:
Council on Social Work Education (2022). Educational policy and accreditation standards for baccalaureate and master’s social work programs. https://www.cswe.org/getmedia/bb5d8afe-7680-42dc-a332-a6e6103f4998/2022-EPAS.pdf
Singh, R. C. B., Yakas, L., Wernick, L. J., Kattari, S. K., Slayter, E., & Taylor, S. (2024). Anti-Ableist and Disability Justice Pedagogies in Social Work Education Special Issue: Disability Justice in Social Work: Section III – Education. Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare, 51(1/2), 330–357.
Slayter, E. M., Kattari, S. K., Yakas, L., Singh, R. C. B., Goulden, A., Taylor, S., Wernick, L. J., Simmons, L. D., & Prince, D. (2023). Beyond Ramps, Curb Cuts, and Captions: A Call for Disability Justice in Social Work. Social Work, 68(1), 89–92. https://doi.org/10.1093/sw/swac045
How to cite:
Hitchcock, L.I. & Hettich, D. (2025, November 3). The Social Work Dimensions of Diversity Library Guide. Teaching & Learning in Social Work. https://laureliversonhitchcock.org/2025/11/03/the-social-work-dimensions-of-diversity-library-guide/
