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inclusion

things that allow and support the exercise
of one’s autonomy or self-determination.
(Stainton 1994; 2005). Here I take Inclusive citizenship
citizenship to mean the range of formal
recognition (in laws, policies, rights etc)
and the instruments needed to effectively
implement them (programmes, supports,
interventions etc). Citizenship Inclusion

Inclusion and attitudes
Inclusion, on the other hand, is a less
formal concept and is defined more by
practice and attitudes than by laws. A Figure 2. Together, citizenship and inclusion provide a framework for moving forward towards a
general concept of inclusion applies to all full and inclusive citizenship for people with learning disabilities
aspects of social life.
Jordan (2011), writing in the context of human value; instead, it enables multiple education and greater public visibility and
general workplace inclusion, offers a forms of human value to be expressed.” acceptance of people with disabilities.
succinct definition that can easily be Both Duffy and Bach help explain how We have also learned a lot about the
applied to the disability realm: “Diversity ideas of citizenship and inclusion interplay importance of personal connections and
means all the ways we differ. Some of these and are mutually reinforcing. Taken how to foster and sustain them.
differences we are born with and cannot together, the two concepts provide a But, on both the inclusion and
change. Anything that makes us unique is robust framework for moving forward citizenship fronts, much is left to be done.
part of this definition of diversity … Inclusion towards a full and inclusive citizenship for Many people are denied full rights of
puts the concept and practice of diversity people with learning disabilities (Figure 2). citizenship, while still more struggle to
into action by creating an environment of From a foundation in rights, we build find true relationships and belonging –
involvement, respect and connection.” towards a true sense of belonging and the keys to meaningful inclusion.
At its heart, inclusion speaks to the way relationship, which is the ultimate goal of By attending to both citizenship and
of being and belonging in community; it is inclusion as distinct but mutually
about our connections and relationships reinforcing concepts, we can perhaps
to others, mutual respect and a deep Relationship and belonging move closer to our vision of a world
sense of equality that goes beyond a where everyone’s citizenship is respected,
formal equality that may or may not be Community contribution and where everyone belongs. n
present (Figure 1).
While formal citizenship can be Economic participation Tim Stainton is the director and professor
achieved through lobbying, advocacy and at the School of Social Work and director
political action, inclusion cannot be put Support and services of the Centre for Inclusion and Citizenship,
into law or mandated. While it can be University of British Columbia, Canada. He
fostered, promoted and celebrated Accessible built environment has four children, one of whom lives with
through a host of programmes, projects a learning disability
and campaigns, it is ultimately something Figure 3. The rights and support that come
that must be felt rather than enforced. with citizenship provide a foundation but are References
Focusing on citizenship alone may not enough for full citizenship and inclusion Bach M (2017) Inclusive citizenship: refusing the
simply result in a formal equality where construction of “cognitive foreigners” in neo-
one is recognised as a citizen; however, inclusion. The rights and support that come liberal times. Research and Practice in Intellectual
and Developmental Disabilities. 4(1): 4-25
the value of that citizenship is minimal if it with citizenship provide the necessary Duffy S (2017) The value of citizenship.
does not result in valued participation, foundation but are not sufficient to achieve Research and Practice in Intellectual and
belonging and relationships in lives. On full citizenship and inclusion (Figure 3). Developmental Disabilities. 4(1): 26-34
the other hand, simply focusing on There has been much progress on the Jordan T (2011) Moving From diversity to
inclusion without the formal rights and citizenship front over recent decades, inclusion. Profiles in Diversity Journal. 22 March
entitlements of citizenship risks at best a including the UN Convention on the Rights Leydet D (2017) Citizenship. In: The Stanford
sympathetic paternalism; at worst, it risks of Persons with Disabilities coming into Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Fall 2017 edn.
the kinds of exclusion, abuse and effect in 2008, which contains themes of Zalta EN, ed. http://tinyurl.com/yyo3z44j
marginalisation that have occurred in the both inclusion and citizenship. We have Silvers A (2012) Moral status. Journal of
past and still occur in the present. learned much about what kind of Intellectual Disability Research. 56: 1014-25.
Bach (2017) outlines how community structures and policies support full Stainton T (2005) Empowerment and the
connections are both a protection against citizenship for people with disabilities; architecture of rights based social policy.
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities 9(4): 287-96
exclusion and a means to achieve formal individualised or direct funding, planning Stainton T (1994) Autonomy and Social Policy.
recognition of citizenship. Duffy (2017) and facilitation, and a strong regime of Aldershot: Avebury, 1994
also addresses the ways in which supports to enable choices through
citizenship as a primary goal of social mechanisms such as supported decision Further reading
policy can contribute to the full inclusion making (Stainton, 2005). Stainton T (1998) Rights and rhetoric in practice:
of people with learning disabilities. On the inclusion side, we have again contradictions for practitioners. In: Symonds A,
He notes: “A community of citizens is seen much progress with the closure of Kelly A, eds. The Social Construction of
not organised around narrow measures of institutions, improved access to inclusive Community Care. London: Macmillan: 135-144

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