The Inclusion Story

It started as a question. During a work session, we were discussing potential action steps around building inclusive communities. We were moving towards a call to action; a way to get others involved in our mission. The question was asked, “How can we ask people to do something they do not yet believe in?” It was realized we needed to work on awareness first in order change what people believe about those with “disabilities.” Then allow them time in order to experience and include those with disabilities before we asked them to do something.

So on a warm, early summer day, a small group of staff sat around a kitchen table, brainstorming core values, essential questions, and action steps that encompassed a formula for a campaign aimed to change peoples’ perceptions. We looked at disability advocates like Stella Young and Erik Weihenmayer who questioned the social model of disability and who pushed for society to see people with disabilities as anything but inspirational.

An inclusion campaign, we decided, was the best way to start making change. The goal of which would be to distribute the voices of people with “disabilities” in order to educate and empower others to change many of the stereotypical perceptions. Through this education and advocacy effort, people will see that what we all have in common is greater than our differences. People will understand that we have stronger communities when we embrace all people as having the ability to contribute to the common good.

We settled on the name of the inclusion campaign: voiceability. While seemingly simple, the meaning is complex. We wanted our campaign to give people the ability to voice their experiences. Most importantly, we wanted our campaign to voice ability. We wanted it to shift perspectives in normalizing disabilities, recognizing that we all have our own personal challenges. Ultimately, we felt people needed to understand each other before they could include each other. Such, we needed to redefine the perception of challenge.

So, we sought out stories. We asked our friends and neighbors to share their voices and their experiences. Then we launched. From the first story, we received feedback from the community about how they can relate to the voices being shared. They wanted to join our cause and also hoped for an inclusive community where all people can belong and contribute.

We’ve had a diverse group of people share their stories with us: through local newspapers, local radio stations, facebook, and our website. We have reached thousands of people with your voices, your experiences, your stories. Now, we are excited to announce a different medium to hold your voices: our inaugural voiceability book, Redefining the Perception of Challenge.

As Dianna Hardy said, “It only takes one voice, at the right pitch, to start an avalanche.” That voice started as a question, followed by the echo of your stories. May that avalanche find no end until the perception of challenge has been redefined, our community voices ability, and all find their place in an inclusive community where everyone can belong and contribute.

We are thankful you have joined us on this journey and cannot wait to see where it takes us all.