Being Truly Inclusive

By John Robinson

What does it actually mean to be inclusive? For us as people with disabilities, it means joining non-disabled people right out in our communities. It means playing together and socializing together.

Think about sports. True inclusion means playing baseball or basketball, disabled and non-disabled together. In fact, we should mix the players up with each other on the same teams. Inclusiveness does not just mean existing in a community. We must actually participate in the community.

Civil engagement is a perfect example. A person with a disability can volunteer to work an election poll alongside non-disabled people. Or we can simply go to the gym and work out right next to someone who does not have a disability. Participating in the community like this is what creates a real dialogue between the two worlds. It’s how we start friendships and really learn about each other.

This connects directly to Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). One of the core HCBS rules is community inclusion, and it emphasizes that inclusion is more than just being a part of the community—it means being active in it. We have to keep finding meaningful ways to be active and truly engaged.