In this fast-paced world where everyone is looking out for themselves, feeling left out is common. However, inclusion and promoting diversity can make us feel loved and respected.
Inclusion is the act or policy of giving similar access to possibilities and resources to people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those with physical or mental impairments, persons in other minorities, and women.
It is one of the most important aspects of life. It helps combat the stigma, ignorance, and isolation that marginalized people face. It provides a sense of belonging to everyone. But what other benefits does it hold? We bring to you 15 reasons why inclusion is important.
15 Benefits Of Inclusion For Any Society
Inclusion can provide opportunities for growth and development in many different areas. Including everyone has positive effects on our culture as well as on individuals. It boosts creativity and productivity.
1. Inclusion Is Necessary For Comprehensive Education
In today’s age where special children are not as stigmatized as they were earlier, including students with various kinds of disabilities in classrooms is a part of inclusive education.
These children have a higher risk of being bullied at school if their classmates don’t understand them well enough. This can lower the child’s self-esteem and affect their performance in academics.
Inclusion provides the necessary support that these children need to excel in academics and helps them develop social skills so they can be independent adults.
2. Inclusion Boosts Confidence
Inclusion can help marginalized people feel accepted and boost their confidence.
This is especially beneficial for children and young adults. It gives them a sense of belongingness and helps them find their voices.
With increased confidence, they become more active in their communities and participate in decisions that affect them. This can result in positive changes for society as a whole.
3. Inclusion Encourages Creativity & Innovation
Creativity and innovation are essential in today’s society.
Inclusive communities are more likely to come up with new and innovative ideas because they have a variety of perspectives to draw from.
It is especially true in the workplace, where people can offer creative solutions to problems that those without might not think of.
Inclusive classrooms also benefit from the variety of perspectives that students offer. It can lead to more interesting and engaging lessons. It will better academic performance too
4. Inclusion Helps People Overcome Prejudice & Stereotypes
People form opinions about others based on their life experiences, culture, religion, and other factors. This can lead to prejudice in some cases.
Prejudice is usually in the form of hostility towards a group in society based on superficial differences like skin color, ethnicity, or religion. Stereotypes are oversimplified untrue beliefs that people have about a certain group of people.
Inclusion can help people overcome these negative views and learn to accept others for who they are. This is an important step in creating a cohesive and harmonious society.
Related Video – Inclusion Makes the World More Vibrant:
5. Inclusion Boosts Friendship Skills
Friendships are an important foundation in any setting.
A child with special needs requires more than just to be physically included in the curriculum and daily activities. A feeling of belongingness to other children in the class is necessary.
People who feel included are more likely to have healthy, supportive relationships. They learn how to be good friends and how to resolve conflicts. This can carry over into all aspects of their lives.
6. Inclusion Helps People Develop Social Skills
Inclusion helps people develop social skills by providing them with opportunities to interact with others.
People who are shy or have low self-esteem usually find it hard to make friends. Inclusion can help these people overcome their social anxiety and connect with others.
It can also help those who are extroverted to learn how to be considerate and respectful of people who are different from them.
It helps build empathy and understanding that strengthens relationships and friendships between people.
7. Inclusion Promotes Gender Equality
Gender inequality is a real issue in many parts of the world.
Inclusive communities are more likely to have gender equality because they recognize the importance of having both men and women at the table.
This is especially important in the workplace, where diversity of thought leads to better decision-making. It also helps create a more positive work environment for everyone.
For students in inclusive settings, this shared experience could be the feeling of being part of a team where everyone has well-defined roles and responsibilities. It can help them learn how to resolve conflicts and provide better support when faced with adversity.
Inclusion helps people work together regardless of their differences, which is one of the most crucial life skills.
8. Inclusion Is Crucial To Building Trust In The Workplace
Inclusion at work is a great tool to increase trust and reduce the risk of conflict.
Everyone wants to feel important and valued in their workplace. When people from different social groups are excluded, they lose respect for an organization. They further stop caring about it and other people.
On the other hand, when people feel included and respected at work, they are more willing to spend time and resources on the company. The company also benefits from their improved morale as well as increased productivity.
Inclusion is not only beneficial for those who might be marginalized but also helps the organization itself become stronger and happier.
9. Inclusion Enhances Employee Engagement
People are more likely to be engaged when they feel valued and important.
Inclusive cultures help employees find meaning in their work by offering opportunities for personal expression, professional growth, and doing things that have a positive impact.
It makes them happier with the work they do, which leads to higher productivity. It strengthens relationships with co-workers and increases job satisfaction.
Inclusion is essential for improving employee engagement, which ensures that people are happier and more productive at work. According to a study, companies with attention toward inclusion are 3-4 times more profitable and financially successful than others.
10. Inclusion Influences Healthcare Policy
Studies show that people with disabilities are at higher risk of mental health issues like anxiety and depression.
Increasing access to treatment for these people is one way to reduce this risk. If they can’t get the help they need, it forces them to live in isolation rather than join society. It can lead to more harmful behaviors like substance abuse and suicide.
Inclusion allows people with disabilities access to healthcare services, which can be life-saving and reduce the risk of mental health issues. It also expands their opportunities in education and work, which reduces dependence on help from others.
11. Inclusion Provides Better Education Opportunities
Students with special needs require more attention than their typically developing peers.
By including children with disabilities in classrooms, teachers can provide better education to all students. Teaching becomes more inclusive and engaging if different kinds of learners are given equal opportunities at school. It also reduces the stress on the teacher by allowing them to focus on one group of students at a time.
Including children with special needs in regular classes also helps their peers learn about inclusion and how to interact with people who are not like themselves. This can help eliminate the ignorance that leads to bullying, isolation, and prejudice.
12. Inclusion Helps Address Poverty
People with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty than those without.
This is often due to a lack of access to education and employment opportunities. Inclusive communities provide opportunities for people with disabilities to learn new skills and earn an income, which can help them escape poverty.
Inclusive communities also offer support services that can improve their quality of life. This includes things like food banks, affordable housing, and transportation.
Inclusion is one of the most effective ways to address poverty, which affects millions of people around the world.
13. Inclusion Promotes Tolerance & Respect
Inclusive communities are more likely to be tolerant and respectful because they understand that everyone is different.
They encourage people to become more curious about others and take the time to get to know them.
This can lead to better communication, less conflict, and stronger relationships over time. It also helps people model the behavior they want their community members to act out.
Inclusion promotes tolerance and respect for others in every aspect of life, including education, work, and social interactions.
14. Inclusion Fosters Respect & Acceptance Of Differences
Inclusion provides the opportunity to interact with others, which can help bridge gaps in society. It offers people the chance to learn about different kinds of people and helps them accept cultural differences.
Inclusivity helps people develop meaningful relationships and feel a sense of belonging.
Society becomes more open-minded and understanding, which leads to the acceptance of vulnerable groups. It also creates better opportunities for collaboration on issues that affect different communities at large.
15. Inclusion Increases Social Networks & Support Systems
Inclusive communities share personal stories that help decrease stigma related to disabilities.
They provide opportunities for people with disabilities to meet and network with others who aren’t vulnerable. It creates a sense of belonging that encourages them to become more active in society.
Inclusion also helps people build relationships with their peers, which can help them feel less isolated. The resulting support system increases self-esteem and reduces the risk of harmful behaviors.
The Importance Of Inclusion – Conclusion
Everyone benefits when communities are inclusive. This ensures that everyone in the community is aware of necessary accommodations, which reduces the risk of dangerous or uncomfortable situations.
It also provides opportunities for people to become more active members of society who can give back to their communities.
Inclusion is the key to creating a more prosperous, safe, and happy society for all people. It enables everyone to live up to their full potential, which benefits everyone around them.
References
- https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/explainers/value-inclusive-education
- https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=7676&context=dissertations
- https://accelerate.withgoogle.com/stories/how-to-enable-creativity-and-innovation-work-with-diverse-teams-in-an-inclusive-culture
- https://www.nortonlifelock.com/blogs/diversity-inclusion/trust-key-element-inclusive-workplace
- https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/features/mental-health-for-all.html
- https://joshbersin.com/research/diversity-leadership-culture/
A sophomore in engineering, I’m a budding writer and an adventure enthusiast. My passion leads me on to try my hands on different things. I enjoy music, food, and good company. Making my way through life in my own ways, you’ll find me holding a camera and capturing what this world has to offer.