Disability inclusion: building societies where everyone belongs

Authors: Dr. Sonia Chaabane, Dr. Sohaila Cheema and Dr. Karima Chaabna

Persons with disability are those having long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments that may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. The World Health Organization estimates that 1 in 6 persons experience significant disability. Disability inclusion is about creating societies where all people–regardless of how they move, communicate, or interact–can participate equally. Achieving meaningful disability inclusion requires proactive steps to build environments in which everyone can thrive.

Societal role in disability inclusion

Civil society plays a vital role in promoting disability inclusion alongside governments, donors, and researchers. Disability inclusion is not merely a technical challenge–it is a social, political, and ethical one. While governments and researchers may provide frameworks and the tools, citizens bring the lens of empathy, respect, and action. Achieving inclusion is both a moral and legal imperative. Without collective commitment, inclusion will remain a distant goal.

Understanding why disability inclusion matters

• Barriers and inequities: Individuals with disabilities often face more challenges than others. This includes exclusions from education, employment, healthcare, and community life.
• Economic and social burden: They confront higher healthcare expenses and often lack targeted social protection or support.
• Safety and dignity: People with disabilities are more likely to experience violence and less likely to report it.
• Intersecting disadvantages: Disability can overlap with gender, poverty, geography, conflict, or ethnicity, shaping opportunities and risks.
• Universal relevance: All individuals may experience impairment at some point in life. Disability is part of human diversity, not an exception. Consequently, the built, legal, and social environment must be designed to reflect that diversity.
• Agency and rights: Persons with disabilities have autonomy and the right to participate fully in the society and make their own decisions.
• Inclusion is a right: Inclusion is not charity. It is justice, equity, and achievable with collective effort.

Upholding the dignity of persons with disability

Individuals can promote disability inclusion through simple and respectful actions that support the dignity of people with disability. A fundamental approach is to prioritize the person before the impairment.

• Offer help only if the person appears to need and want assistance. Always ask before you act.
• Be mindful about physical contact, respect personal space.
• Recognize that persons with disability are the best judge of their abilities. Avoid assumptions.
• Think before commenting on appearance, aids, or adaptations.
• Always address the person directly, not the accompanying person.
• Respect privacy. Avoid intrusive questions about medical conditions, equipment, or mobility.
• Never ask insensitive questions, such as, "What happened to you?".
• Respond graciously to accessibility requests. If you cannot provide the ideal solution, ask how you might accommodate instead.

Building inclusive societies

Including persons with disabilities is important to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set out by the United Nations and advancing global health priorities towards health for all. Disability should be viewed as a mismatch between people and their environments, and not an individual tragedy. It requires identifying and removing disabling barriers—physical, social, and attitudinal—and fostering empathy and understanding. With everyone’s commitment to action, we can build societies where all people, including those with disabilities, are seen, heard, and valued. Together, we can strengthen inclusion, accessibility, and dignity for all.

Sources: United Nations: Disability Inclusion Strategy, World Health Organization - Disability, United Nations: How can we achieve disability inclusion?, The New Zealand Government-Ministry of Social Development Disability Support Services.

Editor:  John Alexander Hayward