Today's post is the first of several intended
to contribute to Disability Awareness Month.
I have mixed feelings about the dedication of
months or days to oppressed members of our society. It's frightening to think
that the thought, dialogue, and work would stop when these time frames elapse.
That's my theoretical side. My practical side supports any and all positive
steps towards awareness.
In the last few decades, society has made some
gradual progress in its treatment of people with disabilities. This can be seen
in the adoption of civil rights laws to protect and empower people with
disabilities. And there are plenty of real world examples of progress in the
workplace as people with disabilities make valuable contributions to our world
each and every day. I view the progression as stepping
through tolerance, towards acceptance, and
ultimately to the facilitation of inclusion.
Inclusion differs from other attempts to
demonstrate equal treatment because it involves ACTION. The
most brilliant lecture on the value of accepting people with disabilities or
increasing diversity in the workforce doesn't achieve inclusion. It goes beyond
the belief that inclusion is the right thing to do and involves the
reality that inclusion takes work. Inclusion is often an ongoing process. It's
more than hiring a person who uses a wheelchair. It's more than speaking to a
friend with a learning disability about how they could join your study
group.
[Graphic caption: Colorful illustration of
people holding hands with text that reads Diversity and Inclusion: The Keys to
Success]
I recently attended a seminar led by Neil
Glickman. He's a psychologist who has
dedicated his career to improving the mental health treatment options available
to people who are Deaf or hard of hearing and have language and learning
challenges. I learned a great deal and a particular phrase has stuck with me
almost two weeks after the event. Dr. Glickman spoke on the trouble with
"illusions of inclusion." The most common example, said Glickman, occurs when a
hospital, a school, or a workplace hires a sign language interpreter and assumes
that the mere presence of this interpreter means inclusion has been achieved.
Sign language interpretation is tricky business! It's not word-for-word
interpretation that might occur between people speaking two different verbal
languages. Sign language interpretation involves careful translation between two
different cultures. If an interpreter is provided, but no other efforts are made
to include the person with a disability, inclusion is almost never
achieved.
Illusions of inclusion involve the unseen barriers
that keep people with disabilities from reaping the rewards of full access to
physical and social situations. The fact that others believe inclusion is
available is almost worse than the realization that it's not there at all.
Illusions of inclusion in my life have involved appointment to a position with
the unstated expectation that I first had to disprove doubts of others before I
could start on equal ground with my able-bodied peers. Other illusions involve
physically accessible professional networking groups where few people are able
to comfortably talk with me. There are a number of illusions within personal
relationships as well. People who fully accept aspects of your disability
*except* the possibility that you would consider having children, adopting, or
starting a family in other ways.
What are the illusions of inclusion in your life? I
understand these are taboo topics that are hard to point out and even harder to
talk about. If we don't start differentiating between successful acts of
inclusion and the illusions of inclusion though, we'll never make those
illusions realities.
Here are some thoughts shared by friends on Twitter
to get your started:
Jelena
Woehr (@jelenawoehr) discussed the
fear that as a woman, person of color, or person with a disability you might be
the "token" person at that workplace. It's a "sidestep to inclusion," she said,
"We're not discriminating. Look, That person works here!"
Tracy Hurlbert (@supercrip) also shared an
example of an event that was held to raise money for an elevator that would
improve accessibility of a hall. The event, however, was held IN the hall so
people with disabilities were unable to attend!
What are the illusions of inclusion that you
face?
[Graphic caption: The word INCLUSION is written
above a circle with symbols representing different groups of people. Symbols
representing men, women, and people with disabilities are
shown.]
Related posts on Disaboom:
Two Milkshakes Please,
Disability Discrimination at the Drive-Through Part I
Two Milkshakes Please,
Disability Discrimination at the Drive-Through Part II
Employees with
Disabilities have Hidden Talents
