Inclusion21 - equality & rights, dignity & respect

Inclusion 21

Telephone:
0781 667 1185

About Us

Inclusion21 is a partnership, formed in 2004. We believed then, as now, that unjustifiable, negative discrimination against people continues almost without check throughout our society.

In the 21^st century it appals us that:

disabled people still have to plead for simple basic facilities like accessible
toilets

that a woman doing exactly the same job as a man should still be paid less

that prejudice and hatred against people who do not have a white
European ethnic background still feed social exclusion and unrest

that gay people are still shunned in many walks of life

that older people are faced with challenges and behaviours that reflect the
lack of respect and dignity due to them

that genuine religious faith continues to be misappropriated and becomes
a false instrument of injustice.

Yet most people, when made aware of the depths of this discrimination, share the view that it is wrong to judge others simply on the colour of their skin, whether they use a wheelchair or a white cane, just because she is female, or he is gay, or they are Muslim or Christian or old.

The issues here are variously described as 'equality' or 'diversity' or sometimes, 'human rights' matters. We believe that celebrating difference, defeating negative stereotyping and discrimination in all walks of life, leads to a healthy, more prosperous, safer society for everyone. So Inclusion 21 was set up to promote and celebrate, at every opportunity, our diverse nature, skills and talents. We offer a range of consultancy, policy advice and training packages that work towards removing discrimination and enabling everyone to give and get respect and dignity to and from others, regardless of difference.

The law demands that everyone be treated equally. This does not mean being treated the same way. It means instead that each one has what is needed to be able to achieve equal outcomes in life. It is no good telling a wheelchair user that they can have the same access to education or healthcare as everyone else, and then leaving them at the bottom of the steps to the school or college or doctor's surgery.

Everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, and in equal measure, just in virtue of being human. That is what equality of opportunity is about, that is what diversity policies should achieve, that is why training is important.