What is Disability Inclusion?
Including people with disabilities in everyday activities and encouraging them to have roles similar to their peers who do not have a disability is disability inclusion. This involves more than simply encouraging people; it requires making sure that adequate policies and practices are in effect in a community or organization.
Inclusion should lead to increased participation in socially expected life roles and activities—such as being a student, worker, friend, community member, patient, spouse, partner, or parent.
Socially expected activities may also include engaging in social activities, using public resources such as transportation and libraries, moving about within communities, receiving adequate health care, having relationships, and enjoying other day-to-day activities.
Disability inclusion allows for people with disabilities to take advantage of the benefits of the same activities experienced by people who do not have a disability. Examples of these activities include:
Education and counselling programs that promote physical activity, improve nutrition or reduce the use of tobacco, alcohol or drugs; and
Including people with disabilities in these activities begins with identifying and eliminating barriers to their participation.
Why is This Important?
While it is said that disability affects approximate 61 million, or more living in communities, it affects more than one billion people worldwide.1,2 According to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities“. People with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory such as hearing or vision impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.”
