We hear a lot about inclusion these days. It’s a word that rolls off the tongue easily, promising a society where everyone belongs. But for people with disabilities, the reality is often far removed from this ideal. It’s like we’re living in a world that pretends to be inclusive, but when you scratch the surface, you find a system still deeply rooted in exclusion.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s been progress – but it feels like we’re taking one step forward and two steps back. Token gestures like featuring a disabled person in an ad or making a building wheelchair accessible create the illusion of change without addressing the real problems. It’s like putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound.
Tokenism just isn’t enough…
You know that feeling when you see a single person with a disability in an ad or hear about a company hiring a few disabled employees? It’s like they’re patting themselves on the back for being so inclusive. But let’s be real, throwing a few crumbs doesn’t make a feast. This tokenism is just a way to look good without actually doing the hard work of creating a truly inclusive society.
I’m tired of seeing people with disabilities portrayed as superhumans who overcome adversity just to survive. It’s like we’re expected to be inspirational just for existing. But the truth is, we’re not looking for pity or admiration; we want equality. We want to be seen as capable individuals with the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. It’s time to move beyond the “inspiration” narrative and focus on creating a world where everyone can thrive.
Beyond the harmful stereotypes, people with disabilities face countless obstacles in their daily lives. Buildings aren’t accessible, information isn’t available in formats we can use, and let’s not even get started on the discrimination in education, employment, and healthcare. It’s like we’re constantly battling uphill against a system that wasn’t designed for us.
We’re constantly told to be inspirational for overcoming challenges, but what about the challenges we shouldn’t have to overcome in the first place? The world seems designed to keep us on the sidelines. Lack of accessible transportation, buildings, and information create barriers at every turn. And let’s not even talk about the stereotypes and prejudice that people with disabilities face every day.
It’s time to stop pretending. We need real change. We need a society that truly values everyone, regardless of ability. This means breaking down barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating a world where inclusion is a reality, not just a buzzword.
We need to change the illusion of inclusion.
Photo by cottonbro studio
