Non-profit hopes diversity survey will shed light on attitudes, practices

CEDAR RAPIDS - Diversity Focus launched its "Creative Corridor Community Survey" Tuesday to gauge attitudes and identify trends and changes in Eastern Iowa communities regarding diversity in their work and living environments.

Chad Simmons, executive director of Diversity Focus, said during a news conference in order for the non-profit organization to understand the current attitudes and opinions it needed a follow up the benchmark survey conducted in 2008. That survey only included Linn and Johnson counties, so this survey is expanded to Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Jones and Washington counties.

"This will provide a more complete understanding of what more is needed to nurture and retain people from diverse backgrounds and cultures," Simmons said. "We want everyone to participate and hope they tell their friends and families."

The information from the survey will also provide insights for government, education, non-profits, businesses and other organizations to help them in their strategic planning, Simmons said.

Simmons said four key areas regarding diversity were identified in the first survey - education, law enforcement, employment and retail. The new 35 question survey will expand on those areas with multiple choice questions regarding interaction with people of different race, culture, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion and those with disabilities. The survey also asks for feedback or opinion on such topics as how the community accepts people of different races or how important it is to the community to have diversity in schools.

Residents have until March 15, to complete the survey and the organization will have the results in mid-May.  The survey is being managed by the Vernon Research Group in Cedar Rapids.

Simmons said the survey is offered in English and Spanish online or can be completed by phone, call Joyce at 319-364-7278, ext. 7140.