The Ways Inclusion Allows People with Disabilities an Opportunity to Pursue their Life’s Passions and Dreams
More and more individuals and organizations are becoming aware and advocates of fairness and equality among people with disabilities. We are finding out that greater inclusions can result in stronger communities and societies. Therefore, people are studying and proving the ways inclusion empowers people with disabilities to pursue their dreams and feel satisfied with life. Still, some people are not aware or well-informed about the importance of inclusion and how it can improve the lives of not only people with disabilities but greater parts of communities. Therefore, first let’s define what is inclusion, and how it bridges dreams, passion, life satisfaction, and people with disabilities.
The meaning of inclusion when talking about the rights of people with disabilities may vary. In Article 19 of the UN Convention for People with a Disability, full inclusion has been discussed together with the rights, equality, and participation in the community of people with a disability. In this article, it stated the following ensuring that
Persons with disabilities have the opportunity to choose their place of residence and where and with whom they live on an equal basis with others and are not obliged to live in a particular living arrangement;
Persons with disabilities have access to a range of in-home, residential and other community support services, including personal assistance necessary to support living and inclusion in the community, and to prevent isolation or segregation from the community;
Community services and facilities for the general population are available on an equal basis to persons with disabilities and are responsive to their needs.
On the other hand, some communities and countries define inclusion in their own take. For instance, in Swaziland, inclusion means:
• Freedom of speech and being free to live anywhere one wants
• Having employment like other people who do not have a disability
• Being included in community activities
• Being helped to have fulfilled future
• Being respected and honored
• Being heard and listened to
Despite varying meanings and usage of words to define inclusion among people with disabilities, communities understand what it is. The point of inclusion is to establish equal rights and opportunities for people with disabilities in communities and societies. People with disabilities also have dreams, passions, and preferences for how they want to live life. Supporting and allowing for more inclusion among these individuals enhance their quality of life, satisfaction, and feelings of belonging. In the next section, we’re discussing the ways of how inclusion becomes the bridge for people with disabilities to achieve their life’s passions and dreams.
Ways Inclusion Bridges Passion and Dreams for People with Disabilities
Inclusion means more opportunities. Inclusion means having the freedom to choose the life a person desires. Inclusion means truly belonging in a community despite any differences whether it’d be race, level of education, or limitations in abilities due to disabilities. Each people has an equal right for inclusion. Here, however, we’re focusing on how inclusion helps people with disabilities achieve a satisfying life with equal rights and opportunities.
With inclusion, we let people with disabilities be heard. Whether it’s about them making daily life decisions or voicing out their truths, inclusion means giving people with disabilities the freedom to express and be heard. It gives them a sense of worth, and it opens doors for opportunities. With inclusion, we hear what they can offer in the community, their preferences, feelings, and life’s dreams and the ways how they know they can achieve it.
More Opportunities to Make Life Decisions
Being included in the community opens doors of opportunities for people with disabilities in making decisions even on a daily basis. Moving and living in a community with full inclusion allows people to choose, and therefore, lead to empowerment, a sense for control, and receiving appropriate treatment among others in the same community.
Having the Same Opportunities with Others
With inclusion, we provide people with disabilities the same opportunities for jobs, socializing, engaging, and being part of a fair society. With more opportunities, people with disabilities have more options in all aspects of life whether it’d be their career, job, people to interact with, and participation in community events. Having inclusion opens doors for these individuals that lets them understand what they want, and pursue what they want to do.
More Opportunities to Interact with Different Kinds of People
Inclusion opens more opportunities to interact with varying types of people. Being fairly accepted in communities allows extension of network and interaction within different groups of people, which enhances the feeling of belonging. Within these networks, too, people with disabilities can find opportunities for careers or be part of circles with the same mindsets and goals. Social interaction is a vital part of well-being, and inclusion bridges this need for people with disabilities.
Having the Same Opportunities for Success
With inclusion, people with disabilities get access to the same opportunities as others. It means having the same doors open for success. With greater inclusion, people with disabilities have a greater chance of being successful in the careers they wish to pursue.
Building a Life of Satisfaction
With more opportunities open, with fairness and equality, as well as appropriate treatment, a life of satisfaction can be built. All these can be achieved with greater inclusion among people with disabilities. A satisfying life is the basis of well-being, and with inclusion, it can be achieved. Despite disabilities, inclusion is a powerful bridge and catalyst for people with disabilities to pursue the life that they want and the dreams they aim to reach.
Being More Engaged in Communities
Greater inclusion allows people with disabilities to be more engaged in communities. Not only that this will open more opportunities for careers, success, and options for how they want to live life, inclusion can also result in stronger communities. Not only the people with disabilities can benefit from inclusion, but as well as the people around them. Connections can turn stronger, there will be more opportunities for growth, and fairness and equality will be rampant.
https://inclusion-international.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/Global-Report-Living-Colour-dr2-2.pdf
http://www.ascd.org/publications/books/107040/chapters/Success-for-all-Students-in-Inclusion-Classes.aspx
https://digitalcommons.csumb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1275&context=caps_thes
