Summary
How to start conversations about — and build better systems for — disability inclusion.
By Stephanie W. Cawthon, PhD
As someone who has spent their career researching disability inclusion and success, I’m often struck by how many people freeze when the topic of disability comes up.
Just last week, a well-meaning administrator told me, “I’m afraid of saying the wrong thing, so I don’t say anything at all.” This kind of hesitation, while understandable, creates barriers to meaningful change.
Let me be direct: We can’t afford this hesitation anymore. With up to 25% of the adult population with a disability, and climate change threatening to create 100 million climate refugees by 2050, disability inclusion isn’t just a nice-to-have – it’s crucial for our collective survival.
The Challenge of “Good Enough”
Here’s a recent conversation that illustrates what we’re up against.
“I can’t give access to that because I don’t know how,” a senior executive told me.
“So we’ve made it about you not having the skill, rather than about providing legally required access?” I responded.
“Oh… I hadn’t thought about it that way.”
This exchange perfectly demonstrates how we often frame disability access around our limitations rather than focusing on necessary solutions. When I reframed it as an ADA compliance issue, the conversation shifted from “we can’t” to “what resources do we need?”
Language Matters
Small changes in how we communicate can make a big difference. For example, I recently caught myself using the word “crazy” – a term that stigmatizes mental health conditions. Instead of just accepting this common usage, my accountability partner and I made a pact to replace it with “bananas.” It might sound silly, but these intentional language shifts help create more inclusive spaces.
Building Better Systems
Through my research at The University of Texas and the National Disability Center for Student Success, I’ve identified four key elements of effective inclusion.
- Leadership by Disabled People | When we want to understand the impact of anything through the lens of disability, you’ve got to have disabled people leading that charge, leading that process. We can’t have people without disabilities making all of the decisions and plans that will impact those folks.
- Full Access and Participation | Example: A university department moved beyond just providing sign language interpreters in classes to ensuring deaf students had full access to study groups, social events, and leadership opportunities.
- Community Connection | Recent research shows over 60% of people identify having multiple disabilities. This underscores the importance of creating interconnected support systems rather than siloed services.
- Intersectional Understanding | As one student told me: “I’m not just deaf. I’m also Black, queer, and from a rural community. All of these identities shape how I experience the world and what supports I need.”
Starting the Conversation
If you’re nervous about engaging in disability conversations, start with curiosity. Here’s a framework I use.
- Acknowledge what you don’t know: “I’m not sure about the best terminology to use, but I want to learn.”
- Ask specific questions: “What accommodations would make this space work better for you?”
- Focus on solutions: “How can we redesign this process to be more inclusive?”
Moving Forward
The changes we need won’t happen overnight, but they won’t happen at all if we stay silent. Just look at the progress we’ve made: enrollment of students with disabilities in higher education has doubled in the last 15 years. This happened because people were willing to have difficult conversations and push for change.
As one of my students recently said: “The hardest part wasn’t dealing with my disability – it was dealing with people’s assumptions about what I couldn’t do.” Let’s change those assumptions.
Start small if you need to, but start somewhere:
+ Update your language choices
+ Make your digital content accessible
+ Include disabled voices in decision-making processes
+ Document and share successful inclusion strategies
Disability isn’t just about accommodation – it’s about innovation. When we create truly inclusive spaces, everyone benefits from the creativity and adaptability required.
What steps will you take today to make your spaces — and our planet — more inclusive?