Tag: empowerment

The Inclusion Myth

Inclusion is one of two words I would like to see no longer used.

Okay, some of you now quit reading and others are curious enough to hear me out.

The definition of “inclusion” requires two groups of people. One is the majority group or the one that represents the goal. Another group is seeking to join the majority group. Said another way, there is one group with the power to allow or deny admittance of another group. Note, permission to be admitted doesn’t mean you become an equal member or are even guaranteed the opportunity to participate in all the activities or conversations.

I don’t want students with disabilities to be granted permission to go to general education, I want them to belong as a member of the learning community.

Seeking inclusion is less than belonging. This is not a new idea but one that Dr. Erik Carter at the Baylor Center for Developmental Disabilities has explored for many years along with several other researchers within the faith community and education.

The drive for inclusion accidentally said that those without disabilities get to decide if students with disabilities are welcome in their educational space. That is a myth. Students with disabilities are students, and all students are welcome in public schools. The rules don’t say that one group gets to make the rules while the other group must wait for permission. One group isn’t “students” and the other “guests”. No, our public education rules calls them all “students.”

So you see, I want a single student body of learners whose needs are met by the incredible groups of educators who work in our public schools. The problem is, I don’t know what to call this model. I dream of a day when we don’t need to find a word because all learners belong. I hope to help make that dream happen. When we do, our communities will be stronger because everyone will contribute by paying taxes, working in the community, and creating meaningful relationships with neighbors and friends.

In short, we will all belong.

Hidden in Plain Sight

People with disabilities comprise about 29% of the United States population. Yet, if I were to reflect on my experiences of the past month, I have only seen a person with a visible disability 3 times. Keep in mind that I have visited large, ticketed events, restaurants, bars, malls, stores, and grocery stores. Where are the people with disabilities?

While it is true that there are many disabilities we cannot see, there is a large number of people with visible disabilities who simply aren’t represented equitability in my community. In the past (although not a distant enough past) individuals with significant disabilities were sent to institutions. But we know better. Yet, when was the last time you saw a child with a disability playing at the local park or on a splash pad? When did you last see an adolescent with disabilities at an arcade or youth sports? When was the last time you sat at a bar and saw a person with a disability sharing a drink with a friend?

As a child, I remember concentrating on the faces of children missing printed on milk cartons so I could identify them when I saw them. I never saw one of those children, and I feel much the same today as I look around me for representatives of my entire community, not just those with no disability or invisible disabilities. 

To be honest, I also hate the phrase “invisible disability,” because it isn’t invisible to the person or those who love them. I wish I had better language and welcome suggestions to help me articulate clearly my desire to empower all people. 

I do know that we no longer hide people away in an institution. But I also know we aren’t fully welcoming of all people and differences. I hope that in a small way, bringing to light who is missing will start a small ripple of change. The next time you are out, will you notice who is there but also who isn’t? Will you start to look for the members of our community with disabilities and opportunities to engage them as equals in your community? Will you advocate for accessible opportunities? 

I hope so. 

And to the self-advocates and their families, I offer you an opportunity to share how I can support you, welcome you, and empower you. 

Change is Happening

I will admit, I typically focus on the work left to be done. I get frustrated with how slowly change occurs and sometimes, defeated. There are so many opportunities we still aren’t leveraging. Too many people are living below poverty because they have been told they can’t work and receive benefits (which is a myth, but that’s another post for another day.)

But lately, I’ve noticed something. Change is happening.

I first started to notice the change in women’s clothing vendors. I am, like so many women, am not petite and without curves. Therefore, when companies like Girlfriend Collective and Summersalt feature a large variety of body types, I notice.

Suddenly, I notice that companies are not only inclusive of body shape and skin color. They are also creating adaptive wear, designed to support independence and fashionable options. And to make it even better, the clothing looks great! This kind of business model makes me take notice. For instance, Aerie has adaptive underwear, supports Special Olympics, and includes athletes as models. Tommy Hilfiger has a whole line of clothing for boys, girls, men, and women. They have specially designed magnetic buttons, pants with legs that adjust in length or width to accommodate prosthetics, and wear designed for sitting.

Are these small changes enough? Does including a person of color, or of various body shapes, or with a disability really make a difference? Is it enough? Yes. It is. If you have any doubt, then this photo of a young man at Target should convince you otherwise.

When we see ourselves reflected in the pictures around us, it matters. The media can tell us we are of value simply by showing people like us positively and respectfully. This is so simple, and yet, it is so powerful.

Change is happening in a million little ways, and each little thing will add up to the big changes we need to empower everyone.

This post is not sponsored. These vendors have captured my attention due to their inclusive practices.