Be the Change, Be Inclusive
So much in our world is out of our control.
When we discuss the inclusion of individuals with disabilities, there are two
directions we might go. One would be to focus on organizational change; the
other, personal change. Both have value, both have their place.
Too
often, organizations become overwhelmed by the scope of change, forgetting that
it is a process. The task may seem insurmountable and so they won’t start, they
won’t try. But you just have to start somewhere.
And we must work hard to ensure that those of us acting as organizational
change agents do the hard work of personal reflection. There is no room for
hypocrisy. You can’t advocate for disability inclusion and then exclude a child
with a disability from your daughter’s birthday party. You can’t be an advocate
for inclusion and then rationalize parking in a handicapped spot.
Ghandi teaches us to “be the change we want to see in the world.” You can
do it. You can practice what you preach. You must be inclusive as you work with
those around you to do the same.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the
courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the
difference. ~ Reinhold Niebuhr
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A Special College Acceptance
Have you seen this video?
It's had over a million hits and was touted all over
the internet as “heart-warming.”
Prom Inclusion - Is It Really Happening? How Often?
Prom season. Happens every year. And every year we see "feel good" stories like this. These stories make the rounds of the Internet and get shared by many, including respected disability inclusion advocates. They are sweet stories about friends going to the prom together. And everyone loves a feel good story, right? But these actually frustrate the heck out of me. Why? Because it's not news, or at least it shouldn't be.
You see, a boy made a
promise to a friend in fourth grade to take her to prom. And he followed it
through. That should actually be the story, but it's not, at least it’s not the
whole story: "It's just another
boy-meets-girl story, right? Hang on: There's more to it than that. Mary
has Down syndrome, and Ben is the quarterback of his high school's football
team." So what? This should be all about a sweet
promise made by a fourth grade boy, but this story's "hook" is that
the young friend who was asked to prom has Down Syndrome and the boy is now the
captain of the football team.
What's the message here?
That football players don't date people with Down Syndrome? Ugh.
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