It’s normal that we all are different. Why is it so hard to create an inclusive environment?

What is to be inclusive?
Inclusion is a human right. The meaning of inclusive is that everyone is understood, appreciated, and able to participate and contribute meaningfully.

It shouldn’t be so difficult, but it is.

Now imagine how the world is for someone with disabilities.

Do you know that, according to the World Bank, one billion people, or 15% of the world’s population, experience some form of disability? Also, the Disabled Living Foundation found that 80% of disabilities are acquired between the ages of 18 and 64, that is, the workforce age.

Other Key Facts:

The number of people with disability is dramatically increasing. This is due to demographic trends and increases in chronic health conditions, among other causes.
Almost everyone is likely to experience some form of disability – temporary or permanent – at some point in life.
1 in 2 disabled persons cannot afford treatment;
People with disabilities have a more fragile general health;
Disability increases dependency and limits participation in society.

These gaps are due to barriers to accessing health, education, transportation, information, and work services – things many of us take for granted.

If we focus on children with disabilities and their access to education, the observation is quite dreadful: according to UNICEF, around 240 million children worldwide have disabilities, that is to say, one child out of ten. They are 49% more likely to have never attended school than children without disabilities.

Depending on their disabilities, situations, and country, they are more or less included in society. The inclusion that we now set up will positively impact their adult lives and our own.

Knowing all these facts, what are we doing to have a more inclusive world? Sometimes we forget to recognize the importance and impact of inclusion in our lives. What would happen if we recognized that all beings are essential?

We tend to overestimate the role that genetics plays in shaping our identities. I'm not saying it's not important, but sometimes we forget that it's only a component of the things we really value, and we assume that it really determines our destiny. Your DNA is not your destiny.

Diversity enriches our humanity and makes us better. Our sensitivity, our humanity, and our compassion make this world better. The world needs people who care.