Living a life with developmental disabilities already has its challenges as it is, but the way society has been built for the average person makes it that much more difficult. Creating more inclusive environments for disabled people involves addressing physical, social, and attitudinal barriers. For instance, physical barriers could include inaccessible buildings or lack of assistive devices, social barriers could be exclusion from social activities or lack of understanding, and attitudinal barriers could be stereotypes or discrimination. Here are some steps to help make environments more inclusive:
Employ people with disabilities. According to NPR, less than 1 in 5 adults with disabilities have jobs. However, employing people with disabilities can bring unique perspectives, skills, and experiences to the workplace. Employers must stop seeing these individuals’ conditions as weaknesses and instead give them the same opportunities that more non-disabled people get. This also means continuing equality by ensuring people with disabilities have opportunities for career growth and promotions in these spaces.
Increase disability representation in all areas. Representation is not just a buzzword; it's a powerful tool for change. When there is diverse representation in politics, media, entertainment, and other widely consumed areas, it's a step towards a more inclusive society. It works to reduce stigmas associated with marginalized communities. Including disability representation in more spaces will inspire others and demonstrate that individuals with disabilities can achieve the same.
Humanize those with disabilities. How we speak to and about people in communities and when they are not around has a huge impact. We must humanize people with disabilities, which means treating them with respect and recognizing their individuality. We should not make their conditions the most important thing about them—they are so much more than that.
Include people with disabilities in conversations and decisions. People with disabilities are not just passive recipients of care; they are active members of our society. They deserve an equal seat at the table regarding decision-making, whether that be in political, educational, or even social spaces. Their unique perspectives can shape policies and practices, leading to a more inclusive future.
Prioritize disability history. A big part of fostering inclusivity among people with disabilities is bringing to light how specific similar individuals showed up in our history. It is discriminatory to erase them from history lessons and other historical settings like textbooks and museums.
Make environments physically more inclusive. Ensuring that physical spaces, such as buildings, public transport, and recreational areas, are accessible to people with disabilities can drastically improve their success in everyday functions and tasks. This includes ramps, elevators, widened doorways, and accessible restrooms.
It is up to everyone working together to ensure our world becomes more inclusive for individuals with disabilities daily. At Serenity Support Care, we assist with home care for people with developmental disabilities and are here to help make their lives easier and more fulfilling. We strive to cultivate a world that embraces inclusivity for individuals with disabilities each day—give us a call today to learn more!
