Inclusion

Inclusion is about positively striving to meet the needs of different people and taking deliberate action to create environments where everyone feels respected and able to achieve their full potential

It is the practice of ensuring that people feel they belong, are engaged, and connected. It is a universal human right whose aim is to embrace all people, irrespective of race, gender, disability or other attribute which can be perceived as different.

Fundamentally, Inclusion is: “.. a sense of belonging: feeling respected, valued for who you are; feeling a level of supportive energy and commitment from others so that you can do your best.”

It is about valuing all individuals, giving equal access and opportunity to all and removing discrimination and other barriers to involvement.  A human rights approach should ensure positive processes and outcomes for disabled people including treating people with dignity and respect and ensure that society no longer disables its citizens. Respecting human rights in the delivery of services is not an optional extra but a set of core values and fundamental to reform. Human rights extend to economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights.

Work towards inclusion must be active, involves imagining better and understanding that we all have something to contribute. It encompasses people having control over their own support and making their own personalised decisions, participation and presence in their own communities.