Celebrating Disability Pride Month: A reflection on inclusion and belonging for people with disabilities in the community – by Heather Lacey
July is Disability Pride Month!
It is a time to celebrate the significant contributions of people with disabilities. People with disabilities are leaders in their communities and businesses and actively assert their rights by calling out injustices around disability inequalities and accessibility.
It is a time to be proud of the progress society has made in increasing visibility for people with disabilities in the community. However, visibility is only the first step. The true goal is full inclusion and integration— creating a society where people with disabilities can fully participate in ways that make sense to them, with accessibility accommodations as the standard across all programs and services, not just an option.
While visibility is a significant achievement, it is not the end goal. We have worked hard to ensure that individuals with disabilities are represented in various aspects of life. However, visibility alone does not guarantee true inclusion. It is about providing equal opportunities for people with disabilities to participate, contribute, and thrive in their communities.
True belonging goes beyond providing accessibility options. It is about creating environments that are inherently inclusive. This means creating spaces, updating policies, and upholding practices that consider the diverse needs of all individuals from the outset, rather than retrofitting accommodations as an afterthought.
“Diversity is a fact. Equity is a choice. Inclusion is an action. Belonging is an outcome.”
– Arthur Chan, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Strategist
At ABLE2, we are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB). We have incorporated DEIB principles into our policies, processes, and everyday work.
We operate on a hybrid work model, ensuring our employees have the flexibility and accommodations to meet their needs. Through a generous grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, we were also able to purchase adaptive office equipment such as power-adjustable desks, ergonomic chairs, and specialized hardware. These investments benefit not only the employees with disabilities but all employees, enhancing their resilience and capacity to support ABLE2’s program users and their families.
The organization is also proud to have established a Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) to ensure the representation of ABLE2’s program users and people with disabilities in the community. The CAC is vital in influencing decision-making and providing valuable insights to our Board. Notably, a member of the CAC also serves on the Board of Directors of ABLE2 for full inclusion and participation in decision-making processes. The CAC members also organize events and fundraising initiatives and contribute to raising awareness, empowering them to lead and create even more opportunities for community engagement. Establishing the CAC aligns with our vision of an inclusive community where people with disabilities are seen as able, important, and valued and are active members of the community.
We have also developed a volunteer program based on a DEIB framework, emphasizing the importance of inclusive participation. This move is crucial to ensuring that all voices are heard and valued.
When we instill DEIB into our work ethics, we create a more vibrant community where everyone can thrive, foster a sense of belonging, and break down barriers to full participation in all aspects of life. This is the direction we must take towards a genuinely inclusive society.
Inclusion means empowering people with disabilities to participate in ways that are meaningful to them. This involves creating opportunities that fully engage them in social, economic, cultural, and political life. It means they have the same access to quality education, employment opportunities, leadership positions, or community activities. We need to continue to listen to the voices of people with disabilities and involve them in decision-making processes that affect their lives. By doing so, we can better understand their needs and aspirations and create policies and practices that truly support their inclusion. Finally, we must continue to dismantle the barriers that prevent people with disabilities to live fulfilling lives.
This Disability Pride Month, I encourage you to reflect on how we can move from visibility to inclusion for people with disabilities. ABLE2 is dedicated to this vision of a community where everyone is seen as able, important, valued, and empowered to build lives of meaning and joy. We invite you to join us in making it a reality.
Published by
Experienced Non-Profit Executive Director