My life with inclusion
I would like to tell you what inclusion means to me. Inclusion means being together. There is a lot of inclusion in my life.
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No cooperation is not inclusion |
Togetherness is inclusion |
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I was born. The doctors told my parents that I would never be able to walk. I am disabled. They said that I would never be able to move my legs and arms properly. They also said that I would never learn to speak. This meant that I was excluded from society.
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My mother wanted to help me. She encouraged me. She tried to teach me lots of things at an early age. Various institutions helped me to learn things. That meant I was right at the heart of society. Early intervention is inclusion.
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At my school, we were only children with disabilities. That's not inclusion. |
I think a school for everyone is a good idea. Children with and without disabilities can learn from each other. And later on, you won't be labeled. You won't have gone to a “school for disabled children.” A school for everyone. That's inclusion. |
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I got good school grades. Nevertheless, I was supposed to work in a workshop for people with disabilities. I didn't want to. But nobody asked me. I wasn't involved in the decision. That's not inclusion. |
We need to find out what people with disabilities can do. If they can do just as much as people without disabilities, they should be allowed to work just as much. Working is inclusion. |
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Do I now have to work in a workshop for people with disabilities? That's discrimination. Discrimination is not inclusion. |
No! I found a job myself. I work as an office clerk. My workplace is wheelchair accessible. So I don't have any problems. I have assistants who help me. They help me get to my desk and use the computer. Being able to work like everyone else. That's inclusion.
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I was still living with my parents. But I wanted to live on my own. I wanted to be independent. I wanted to be part of society. Living in isolation is not inclusion. Even in residential homes, staff have to fight for inclusion. They should take you out. To go shopping, to parties, to ride the bus. Everything that other people do. Having to be alone is not inclusion! |
I now have an accessible apartment and assistive devices. Assistants help me in my everyday life. I also have friends whom I visit regularly. Other people with disabilities can do the same. I want to encourage them. That is inclusion. I co-founded a diving club where people with and without disabilities can dive together. And everyone else is surprised. How? You can do that? Being together is inclusion. You can do it! You can do inclusion!!! |
For me, inclusion means:
• Not having to be alone
• Being able to be with people who don't have disabilities
• Having something fun to do every day, like work or school
• Being able to do as much as possible on my own
• Being heard and asked for my opinion. I want to make decisions too
• Having friends
• Being part of society
Groups can help you experience inclusion. In groups, you do things together. There is a sense of togetherness. Then no one has to be alone. Together, you can achieve more.
You can ask a sports club if you can join.
Maybe you would like to take a cooking class?
Maybe you would like to take a computer class?
Maybe you would like to visit the library?
Maybe there is a nature club?
Look in the newspaper or on the internet for offers. Someone will certainly help you.
At demonstrations, also known as protests, people fight for their rights. People with disabilities fight for their rights on European Protest Day. It always takes place around May 5. Someone will certainly help you find out the exact date. Take part! Let's fight for our rights.
There is also a disability commissioner in Germany. His name is Jürgen Dusel. He also fights for your rights! Feel free to tell him what's on your mind.
What is inclusion? - simple language | Convention | Links on the topic of inclusion – easy language
