Inclusion 101 - Session 1: Why Should I Care?

Step 1: Identify a Space Where You Belong

Think about a space where you spend significant time and have some influence. This might be:

• Your workplace, where you can advocate for change.

• Your child’s school, where you can support inclusion for all students.

• A community group, club, or place of worship where you participate.

Write down the space you’ve chosen. Being specific is important because this step sets the foundation for meaningful action.

Step 2: Ask the Key Questions

Take a moment to evaluate this space through the lens of inclusion. Reflect on these four key questions:

1. Who’s not included in this space?

   • Consider groups of people who might be missing, underrepresented, or excluded (e.g., individuals with disabilities, non-native speakers, or neurodivergent individuals).

2. What barriers might they face?

   • Are there physical, social, or systemic challenges preventing their full participation? Examples might include inaccessible materials, lack of representation, or unwelcoming attitudes.

3. What does the environment need to look like for them to succeed?

   • Think about the changes needed to ensure they feel valued and supported (e.g., training for staff, adaptive tools, or new policies).

4. How can you empower others in the community to support inclusion?

   • Inclusion is a collective effort. Reflect on how you can help foster empathy, accountability, and action within the group.

Step 3: Commit to One Small, Specific Change

Now that you’ve reflected on the questions, commit to taking one tangible action. This should be realistic but impactful. Here are a few examples:

• At work: Advocate for the inclusion of accessible meeting materials, like captions for videos or alternative formats for presentations.

• At your child’s school: Volunteer to support an inclusive classroom activity or suggest training for teachers on inclusive practices.

• In your community: Reach out to someone who may feel excluded and invite them to join a group or event.

Write down your commitment. Be as specific as possible. For example:

• I will talk to my manager about ensuring all team meetings include captions for accessibility.

• I will suggest to my child’s teacher that we organize a buddy program to support new or neurodivergent students.

• I will personally invite the parents of a child with disabilities to join our community potluck.

Step 4: Share Your Commitment

Head to the discussion post below and share the following:

1. The space you’re focusing on (e.g., workplace, school, community group).

2. A brief summary of the small change you’re committing to.

   • Example: I’m focusing on my workplace. I’m committing to advocating for captions in all video meetings to ensure accessibility.