When Inclusivity Isn't... (Part 2)

Greetings,

The following is some additional notes following from my previous post about "inclusivity". Many of the same themes are present in this post as in this previous article, hence this one has been named as a "Part 2". There is a closer examination of the concept of "inclusivity" and how it is treated and presented. Further there is a demonstration where there have been distinct failures in inclusivity, especially in its approach.

When the word "inclusivity" comes up, sexuality, race, are the two prime ones that are remembered. Disability rarely gets a thought. It is as though, this problem has been taken care of, and doesn't need any attention anymore, the others require more attention. Well, people with disabilities are not going away.

What is Inclusivity?

To begin with there is an examination of what "inclusivity" actually is, what it concerns, the definition of the term. From here there is a foundation to build on from a perspective of common understanding. To begin with here are some dictionary definitions:

From the Cambridge English Dictionary:

noun, "the fact of including all types of people, things or ideas and treating them all fairly and equally:" (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/inclusivity).

A simple definition which is intended to allow the inclusion of all people equally and fairly. A noble concept in its ideas, but not very specific. It is a simple idea that everyone should be treated fairly, regardless, a very human principle really and one which should be at the foundation of all ideas of interaction, but which is sadly lacking.

From the Collins English Dictionary:

noun, "the fact or policy of not excluding members or participants on the grounds of gender, race, class, sexuality, disability, etc" (https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/inclusivity).

This definition brings up the idea of not excluding people on the grounds of various differences that people might have. Here the opposite idea, exclusion is deliberately negated in the definition of inclusion of people, an important point to make, which was missing from the previous. This one also highlights some of the grounds by which a person may be excluded.

From the Oxford English Dictionary:

noun, "The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those having physical or intellectual disabilities or belonging to other minority groups." (https://www.lexico.com/definition/inclusivity) 

Like the previous Collins, it specifies groups that might be discriminated against, but this definition imposes the requirement of people providing equal access and opportunity to the marginalised groups. Here, rather than it being a passive thing that should be done, it is an active process that needs to be followed.

The subtle differences in each definition are important as they show the focus of the definition and show a different focus of the group that wrote the definition. The Cambridge definition focuses on fair treatment for all; a very open definition with no discussion of who might be excluded, just that all should be treated fairly. The Collins definition brought the idea of exclusion, and groups of people who might be excluded; a reverse definition "not excluding" people. The Oxford was pro-active even more so than the Cambridge, not only fair treatment, but provision of services. In a way when a person uses the word inclusivity, it depends on which one they mean.

Inclusion

To add to these definitions is the idea of inclusion. According to the Diversity Council of Australia (DCA), inclusion, the result of inclusivity, is defined as follows:

"Inclusion occurs when a diversity of people (e.g. of different ages, cultural backgrounds, genders) feel valued and respected, have access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute their perspectives and talents to improve their organisation." (https://www.dca.org.au/topics/inclusion)

So this idea of inclusion is the goal of inclusivity it would seem, the inclusion of "a diversity of people" into a group and when they feel that they are "valued and respected, have access to opportunities and resources, and can contribute their perspectives and talents to improve their organisation." This is the  goal of inclusivity at least according to the DCA. 

I would say that according to this definition of inclusion we are quite a way off yet in society in general because there are still barriers for those with disabilities to engage, access, and be valued as individuals with worth. People with disabilities are still viewed as their disability first, then as people second. A problem, rather than a potential asset. How far does the inclusivity extend to those with disabilities? Not just physical, but mental disabilities. Not just the visible, but the invisible as well. 

Who is to be included, and how much?

There is often discussions about racial and sexual issues, but very little when it comes to disabilities. People stand proud about being associated with a person with sexual issues, they stand proud when there is some race related issue, even in another country. When it comes to an issue related to disabilities people shrug their shoulders, they think it is all too hard for them.

"Pride Month" happened this year in June, and there were notes of support about being free to express your sexuality and flags waved all over the place. "Disability Pride Month" occurred the month later, nothing.

There have been improvements: ramps, Braille notifications, some improvements in Public Health, but as far as representation goes, the disabled population is lagging behind. In Australia, the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) has helped some, and left a lot behind, because of the endless paperwork and the seeming policy of instantly rejecting the first claim, regardless of the evidence. Just to get rid of those who are not willing to push their claims through, to go the extra steps to be heard. The NDIS doesn't spend its budget, because the claims get denied.

The Paralympics have helped the profile of disabled people, but they are forgotten, and forgotten in a big way in some instances. Here are two articles to show you how: "David Weir: Disability sports being 'forgotten' between Paralympics" and "Rio 2016: 'A lot of Paralympians are forgotten about'". If you're really interested in this particular topic, I recommend watching "Rising Phoenix" on Netflix about some of the history of the Paralympics and some of the issues that it has been through along with some of the amazing stories of the Paralympians.

Social Group Policies

There are many social and sporting groups which now claim that they are inclusive, that they have "Inclusivity Policies" as a part of the organisational documents of their organisation. So far there has been a lot done for people in regard to accepting people with different sexuality, race, religion, even politics in some instances. When it comes to disabilities, this is the breaking point. So long as the government regulations are followed, they believe that they are covered. But is this really enough, is this really the inclusivity that they claim?

Here's a simple question if you're in a social or sporting group, if a person with a disability approaches your group and wants to join, and fully participate, what is your first response? Is it to consider all the problems, or is it to consider the possible solutions?

If your answer is to instantly claim that there are too many issues for the person with disabilities to engage in the social or sporting group, then I would claim that your claim of inclusivity is "convenient inclusivity" because it does not require any expenditure of energy on your part.

If on the other hand, you are willing to do your best, see exactly what the individual can and cannot do, see if it is possible for them to engage safely with the group, then you are being inclusive. Then it is not inclusivity of convenience. There are activities which people with certain disabilities cannot participate, but you will not find out what they can participate in if you do not try, and that is all people with disabilities want. They want to have a go, they want people to try and help them fit in.

What can you do?

For true inclusivity all the groups must be included in equal measure. Examine the definition of "Inclusion" as defined by the DCA and you will find that in many instances people with disabilities are lagging behind in a big way. This is primarily due to archaic approaches to disabilities, with the approach of seeing what the disabled cannot, rather than what they can do. 

A simple examination of blind sport will show that people with that disability are involved in many different sports including, fencing, archery, cricket, golf, judo and shooting. A simple examination of the wide variety of sports participated in at the Paralympics will show the many different sports individuals with disabilities can play and to what capacity they can involve themselves. 

When it comes to people with disabilities it should not be a question of what they cannot do but what they can do. This is the only way that we will ever get near the lofty ideals of the idea of "inclusivity" and "inclusion" as they are defined. Start looking at the person as a human being, not as their disability, or their sexuality, or their race or any other feature. See what they have in common with you, this is the way forward.

Cheers,

Henry.