INCLUSION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Over the last few decades, many persons with disabilities have moved from a historically marginalized and isolated audience to being more engaged through education, employment, health access, and advocacy. The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 greatly improved access, as the law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government programs, public accommodations, health care, transportation, and communication. The law also sets minimum standards for accessibility of the built environment for all persons.

Engagement, independence, health, social relationships, and full participation of persons with disabilities is greatly influenced by how they are viewed by the world around them. In addition to having to adapt to and navigate physical barriers and their surroundings at every turn, persons with disabilities typically deal on a daily basis with stigma, bias, and exclusion among people in society as a whole. Persons with disabilities may feel a lack of community support and that they are not valued.

Including people with disabilities in everyday activities and encouraging them to have roles similar to their peers who do not have a disability is called disability inclusion . Disability inclusion means understanding the relationship between the way persons function and how they participate in society and making sure everyone has the same opportunities to participate in every aspect of life to the best of their abilities and desires.