The Power of Both/And: cultivating Inclusion as Culture
Several years ago, I was invited to sit on a panel to discuss the value of assistive and smart technologies for people with disabilities. The first speakers spent more time trying to sell the audience on why their technologies were worth purchasing rather than explaining outcomes of inclusion, community living, and self-determination.
Being last, I wondered how I was going to compete with these pitches. When I began my five minute speech, I had an epiphany midway through the first sentence. I looked at the audience and said, “You know what, this shouldn’t be an either/or. We should be embracing a both/and opportunity. Don’t we want people with disabilities to have access to all of these offerings presented by my colleagues?” With that, people began clapping, and that’s when I realized, inclusion is more than just a practice, it’s a culture.
In the world of disability advocacy and human services, we often find ourselves navigating complex challenges. Limited resources, competing priorities, and systemic barriers can sometimes push us into an “either/or” mindset. While these choices may feel necessary in the moment, they can unintentionally narrow our vision and exclude important opportunities for collaboration.
A “both/and” culture shifts the lens from scarcity to possibility, moving us from competition to collaboration. In a time when funding cuts are prevalent, we can prioritize efficiency in resource use and, at the same time, invest in relationships that expand collective capacity.
Inclusion as Culture, Not Just a Practice
Too often, inclusion is framed in terms of the services we offer: accessible transportation, job training programs, peer support initiatives, housing options. These supports are essential, but they are only one aspect of what it means to be inclusive. True inclusion requires something deeper: a culture where collaboration, opportunity, and dignity are woven into the fabric of a collective mindset.
At its core, a “both/and” mindset is about creating opportunities together. It recognizes that every partner, every skill, and every perspective has a place at the table.
In the disability sector, where resources are increasingly limited, this mindset is more critical than ever. We need to be embracing inclusion, not just as a programmatic best practice but also as a culture we build collectively, through shared leadership and partnership. The result is a stronger, more resilient ecosystem of support.
Ready to build a more inclusive culture? Start with these 5 practical tips in our Snapshot.
