When Inclusivity Isn't...

 Greetings,

There has been a lot of talk about "inclusivity" and I am all for it. I believe that everyone should be included, not discriminated against for any difference. The problem is that sometimes "inclusivity" is not inclusive as it could be. There is always a lot of talk regarding "inclusivity" regarding people of different gender, race, and sexuality, however when it comes to people with disability, they tend to fall off the end, forgotten even though they are different.

There was a great noise about "Pride Month", regarding people's different sexuality, a great claim for inclusivity. No mention of those with disability, probably because they would get their chance a little later on...

This month is Disability Pride Month, what has been said? Where are all the announcements? Where are all the people marching in the streets in support of those with disability? Or maybe we aren't that far along yet, or maybe it isn't popular anymore so people don't bother saying anything about it.

Disability Pride Flag

This is the Disability Pride flag, it looks a lot like the flag that was flown for Pride Month last month, however there are some differences that should be noted, note the smaller number of colours, note the black background. Each of these has an important statement to make, a symbolism.

"The Disability Pride Flag was created by Ann Magill, a disabled woman, and each of its elements symbolizes a different part of the disability community.

1. The Black Field: this field represents the disabled people who have lost their lives due not only to their illness, but also to negligence, suicide and eugenics
2. The Colors: Each color on this flag represents a different aspect of disability or impairment

• Red: physical disabilities
• Yellow: cognitive and intellectual disabilities
• White: invisible and undiagnosed disabilities
• Blue: mental illness
• Green: sensory perception disabilities" (https://news.stonybrook.edu/university/july-is-disability-pride-month/)

Unless everyone is included it is not inclusive. If some portion of humanity is not included then it is not inclusive. Just because some portion of the community seems to be the focus of attention at a moment, because they are louder than others doesn't mean that another should be forgotten.

Yes, I have a stake in this one, I am a person who has a disability. I will have a voice, and I will be heard, if only by the few who read these entries.

Update: The Disability Pride Flag was changed because the above design with its lightning bolt design was causing issues for people with epilepsy and other conditions, so the jagged lines were removed. So here is the new design:

The colours remain, it is just the design that was changed. I was happy to have this brought to my attention so I could change the image here.

Cheers,

Henry.