Inclusion, everyone's responsibility

By: María I. Cortés Rosado, MCSW, Social Worker, Transition Learning Center

and Susana Vallejo Uribazo, Vocational Counselor, Independent Living Program

The term functional diversity It has been adopted more than a decade ago with the aim of making visible every person who has a physical and/or mental disability, as well as to favor vulnerable communities. It can be defined as the definitive, circumstantial or transitory state of a person that causes certain functions or tasks to be carried out differently. Its focus is aimed at highlighting and recognizing the capabilities of each person as an individual, as well as eradicating terms such as "mental retardation", "disabled", "disabled", among other derogatory adjectives. Currently, the term has been socially and politically accepted, with which it is intended to strengthen respect for diversity from a more comprehensive perspective. In addition, in terms of human rights, it seeks to raise awareness about the inequality of conditions that these vulnerable communities still face. These communities include the population with disabilities.

According to World Health Organization (2023) there are around 1,300 million people who suffer from some significant disability. In Puerto Rico, according to data from the Annual Report of Status of 2018, there were a total of 687,000 people surveyed who reported one or more disabilities, making up 21.7% of the population. The report stated that 12.6% reported ambulatory or mobility disabilities, 11.4% indicated that they have independent living disabilities (this means that they require assistance to run errands) and 12.6% reported cognitive disability (difficulty concentrating, memory or decision making). Also, it was identified that the majority of people of working age between the ages of 21 and 64 live at the poverty level, 48% of the population. These data put into perspective part of the population of those with disabilities who were surveyed. However, the reality is that the personal, health and socioeconomic disadvantages of people with disabilities are incalculable. Therefore, it is necessary to consider what measures, adjustments and contributions can be included to mitigate these disadvantages.

These disadvantages reflect inequality and can be triggered through discrimination, stigmatization, inaccessible structures, limited education and employment experiences, among others. For this reason, we make a call to recognize how to assert the rights, improve the quality of life and participation in society of this population to expedite the change towards inclusion.

The term inclusion It can be defined as the action of integrating any subject or group to access and enjoy a diversity of services. In general, inclusion can be classified as that scope that promotes the integral development of each human being with the aim of preventing discrimination. From the legal and political aspect, it is to guarantee equal access, under equal conditions for all human beings to participate in public life.

When mentioning equity, it is imperative to mention the importance of conditioning, tempering and providing the person with what is necessary so that they benefit fairly. For example, a person with a hearing disability who communicates through sign language who requests a service has the right to be provided with a translator so that she can benefit from what is offered there. In other words, removing these barriers that exclude, bias, or segregate is a way of promoting equity and inclusion. For this we must recognize basic human rights such as freedom, peace, equality, dignity, hope, love, education, prosperity, justice, food, religion and the right to expression.

The path to inclusion depends on access to opportunities and resources that improve the quality of life. It is necessary to continue dignifying the population, visualizing it as an entity that develops in various areas from its family, community, school, professional and social nucleus. Therefore, it is important to strengthen the connections that they have in these environments. This promotes them to feel valued and important, increasing their feeling of belonging. The foregoing contributes to the fulfillment of those goals and objectives of the place where they are developed. Also, it minimizes the fact that they are marginalized or excluded due to limitations that may interfere with their physical, mental, social and/or spiritual functioning.

Inclusion is everyone's responsibility from the roles we occupy. As a first step we must know and educate ourselves about the different disabilities. If we ourselves have a diagnosis or a relative or relative, we must recognize ourselves and the person individually, highlighting their abilities, skills and strengths. Identify and/or discuss personal goals (everything related to social, academic, financial, among others) creating a plan of how it will be carried out. Also, contact that place, group, person and/or team where these capacities can be strengthened. Finally, continuous training is a crucial need to be able to adjust to the needs of the population and know how to channel them.

Encouraging the active participation of this person with disabilities, involving them in decision-making, listening to them and providing support networks are actions that contribute to inclusion. Accompanying to formalize this participation without interrupting the process and promoting self-management also encourages the person with disabilities. It is important to emphasize that the wishes of the person must be taken into consideration, who is the one who directs their process and causing their empowerment. It is meritorious to create accessible job opportunities that are tempered in structural terms and technological assistance. This is so that people with disabilities can contribute their experiences, knowledge, preparation and skills in a work environment under equal conditions. If you are in the workforce, be aware of the policies and explore the possibility of this person being able to compete for a position on equal terms. It trains all employees so that they can offer a quality, accessible and welcoming service, free of discrimination and harassment, which promotes awareness and tolerance.

At the level of educational, recreational, cultural and sports spaces, inclusion must be promoted through participation, integration and the strengthening of policies. Create programs that encourage their involvement in the processes. This encourages collaboration, learning, development of personal and social skills, among others. Therefore, expanding the spaces through projects that strengthen the integration of the population with functional diversity is urgent. The socioeconomic purpose must be to promote inclusion through employment opportunities, improve the quality of life through physical and mental health. Likewise, inclusion must be brought to housing projects and in the participation of cultural spaces.

By way of conclusion, we must recognize that the struggle of vulnerable populations for inclusion has historically led to being able to enjoy equal opportunities and conditions, as well as asserting human rights. We must examine, as a human, social and political entity that we are, how to take responsibility, unifying and concretely conditioning the participation of all in the diversity of roles that we occupy in society. Inclusion must transcend the spaces occupied by people with disabilities. It must go beyond the early stages of development and not correspond to a single space. Participation must be uninterrupted, which promotes the person with disabilities in all environments. Promoting the dignity of every person regardless of their disability or functional diversity. Remembering the accurate words of Sister Isolina Ferré about "Only when we love intensely can we serve fully."

References

World Health Organization (2023, March 7). Disability. https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/disability-and-health

Erickson, W. Lee, C., & von Schrader, S. (2020). 2018 State of Disability Report: Puerto Rico. the United States. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University: Yang Tan Institute on Employment and Disability (YTI).  https://www.disabilitystatistics.org/StatusReports/2018-PDF-Spanish/2018-StatusReport_PR.pdf