The twenty first of March is World Down syndrome Day.
Inclusion is all about eradicating obstacles, obstacles which forestall an individual from totally, equally and independently taking part of their society. Right now is World Down Syndrome Day and there’s no day like immediately in prompting us to problem our outlook and take into consideration inclusion for a gaggle of people that battle day-to-day challenges. What can we do to make the world a extra accessible and inclusive place for an individual residing with Down syndrome?
Inclusion is about breaking down obstacles
After we consider accessibility, we frequently consider the bodily options of our surrounding atmosphere. This can be a dated mind-set about accessibility as a result of this confines us to solely contemplating how an individual’s mobility and bodily participation limits their participation on the earth. Fairly we should always undertake a broader view of accessibility and assume a lot broader to incorporate transportation, entry to data, communication, expertise, psychological and mental accessibility, relationships and friendships. This can be a non-exhaustive checklist and is among the challenges of coming to phrases with what accessibility actually means; we’ve to contemplate inclusion in every part we do.
Inclusion and accessibility transcend the particular person, as it’s a collective duty for communities and establishments to take away obstacles. What can we do in our day-to-day follow to take away obstacles for these in want of help?
Inclusion is within the element
Inclusion doesn’t at all times imply making main modifications to an establishment, organisation or bodily atmosphere. It may be a easy change to a each day routine, a small considerate gesture or taking the time to see the world from another person’s viewpoint. Inclusion means being purposeful, thoughtful to the wants of others and being an advocate for change at even essentially the most micro-level. Bear in mind inclusion needs to be part of every part we do.
Take a second to consider potential obstacles or challenges for an individual with Down syndrome. What are some modifications, nonetheless micro or macro, that we may make as a neighborhood to facilitate their participation?
With the ever-developing digital footprint, we additionally want to contemplate what inclusion means just about. Listed here are some suggestions to make sure digital inclusivity when growing a webpage, webinar or on-line course:
- Embody stay transcription or closed captioning
- Use excessive distinction colors on slides and with photos
- Permit the content material to be size-adjustable, for instance, textual content and pictures
- Restrict the quantity of textual content on slides or on display
- Don’t depend on color to tell apart key components
- Communicate clearly and slowly in easy language
- Guarantee excessive sound high quality
- Guarantee a duplicate of the transcript or presentation is obtainable
- Current the knowledge in several languages, the place potential
- Promote offline entry to content material
Inclusion impacts everybody
It may be a problem to consider inclusion from a special perspective if we’re used to feeling “included”. Inclusion will feel and look otherwise for everybody, however relaxation assured, we’re all impacted by, and accountable for, inclusion and accessibility. Consider a second the place you felt “excluded” and never totally in a position to take part in a scenario. How did you are feeling and what may have been improved to satisfy your wants?
Probably the most impactful manner to make sure inclusion for somebody is to offer them a voice. Take the time to ask somebody about their wants, you might be shocked by what they inform you. Take heed to what somebody is messaging and mannequin change via their voice. Admire somebody’s story.
The easiest way to advertise consciousness of Down syndrome is for folks with Down syndrome to share their very own tales in their very own phrases. Click on right here to learn their tales and admire their voice.
