Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging Statement

As the Certification Board for Diabetes Care and Education (CBDCE), we must promote and model a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (DEIAB) within our organization, for our certificants and for people with and at risk for diabetes. Individuals certified through CBDCE programs should reflect and value the diversity of all people. 

CBDCE’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging (DEIAB) Tenets:

• Equity
• Representation
• Accountability
• Mission-Aligned Partnerships

Equity as the Foundation
CBDCE is built on a foundation of equity. All strategies, policies, and activities — from credentialing requirements to partnerships — must be guided by health equity to ensure certificants, applicants, staff, and leadership experience belonging in safe, respectful environments.

Representation and Inclusive Participation
Individuals certified by CBDCE should reflect the diversity of all people. Leadership, committees, and decision-making spaces must intentionally include diverse perspectives across race, gender, profession, region, and lived experience, while actively identifying and addressing missing voices.

Accountability and Continuous Growth
DEIAB is a constant practice, not a one-time effort. Accountability requires setting ground rules, correcting non-person-centered language, ensuring balanced participation, and leaning into discomfort. CBDCE commits to ongoing training, continuous learning, and transparency in its decision-making.

Mission-Aligned Partnerships and Practices
CBDCE will act within its scope as a certifying body, ensuring DEIAB considerations are embedded in credentialing pathways, eligibility requirements, and strategic goals. Partnerships and external activities must align with the mission, prioritize equity, and produce measurable, sustainable outcomes.

Under those tenets, CBDCE is committed to: 

• training our volunteer leaders and staff to be more aware of barriers and avenues to becoming a more diverse and inclusive organization; 
• ensuring that efforts are made to support DEIAB values when identifying and communicating with our potential certificant pool; 
• supporting ways for potential certificants and those who are currently certified to become aware of strategies to incorporate and value DEIAB in their professional roles; and 
• partnering with organizations to advance and amplify DEIAB efforts. 
   

Adopted in December 2021; updated October 2025.