Community Stories

Your stories of Inclusion in Action

As part of the celebrations at the 10th AWWA Inclusion Experts Series webinar we asked what “inclusion in action” meant to you, and invited you to reflect on how far we have come on this journey in building more inclusive societies.  We received over 50 heartwarming stories on our Padlet page, and are excited to share the top five stories which received the most love!

Contributed by ICB –
Inclusion means:
I- want to be the change agent
N- never exclude anyone
C- Collaborate with others
L- Look out for the needs
U -Unity is the key
S – Sharing is caring
I – Independent style does not fit
O- Off the old mindset & switch on the changed mindset
N – Never alone in this, together we have it all

Contributed by Karen David –
Some 20 years ago, I was begged by a mother to take in her son with ADHD as there was no other childcare centre willing to give him a chance. I took him in and my staff diligently worked on him with the help of his wonderful and committed mum. It was no easy feat but all of us persevered and soldiered on. The boy completed his degree with honors some time back. As a centre leader, I am so delighted that everyone at Bethlehem Educare Centre paved the way for this child to experience success.

Contributed by Jesline Teo –
Inspire Inclusion with Voices:
My Inclusion story begins with the lack of it, and which drives the motivation towards it. I was shocked one day when close relatives and friends told me that a child with ASD is the same as a child with DS or a child with ID. They did not know the difference between people in the community with needs.

At that moment, I realized our society is in grave need for inclusion. People don’t  “see” and don’t “hear” about people with additional needs. Hence, “Inclusion” was a vague concept, confusing, and a fairyland notion as people don’t even understand who and what it is for.

There are many successful Inclusion stories that will only be heard, seen and understood by people already in the community. Inclusion can only truly begin when we expand from our circle, and reach out to start engaging others outside our circle in conversations.

A parent expressed his thanks to my team for supporting them in their child’s EIPIC journey. Quoting his exact words “My wife and I now tell the people around us about our son and what its like. It is not a sickness. And we tell them EIPIC will help their child as it helped my son. It’s important they know it and that’s the only way we can help. To share our experiences”

The parent may as well started a ripple effect by talking about their experiences with others. And the ripple effect will continue if we all do the same – Using our voices.

Contributed by Ilhan –
It’s the Little Things that Add Up to a Better Society:
Thankful for my K1 son’s teacher and other school staff who try. They contribute to his growth in every little way even though he is currently non-verbal and has autism. School’s enjoyable for him and he’s pretty much almost independent in the school’s routine. We convey his Eipic teachers’ feedback to his preschool teacher and she tries to implement them in class, and educates his classmates on how he communicates (PECS), and why he does/doesn’t do certain things.

Contributed by Syazwan –
In my morning commute, I always see a blind man at the bus stop. Before he could ask for help, someone will come up to him to assist him with identifying the bus that he needs to board. What warms my heart the most, is that it’s a different person each day.
Syazwan

Do you have stories of inclusion to share? Or wish to commend somewhat for their efforts in building inclusive societies? Share your stories with us today.