National Inclusion Week

How to Celebrate National Inclusion Week

Looking for ways to include and be included in celebrations related to National Inclusion Week? Get on board by being creative with ideas for participating in the day, such as some of these:

Learn More About Inclusion

One of the best ways to pay heed to National Inclusion Week is to dive into some resources that can help provide more education and enlightenment about the subject of inclusion. In addition to information available through the Inclusive Employers website, it might be important to read some of the documents related to historical events of inclusion.

From the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in 1909 to the admission of women to Oxford University in 1920, from the creation of the Paralympics in 1960 to the Civil Rights act of 1964, there are dozens of interesting and important events that can be researched and learned about in celebration of this day. Head on over to the local library or look up some events online to get started!

Join National Inclusion Week Events

Employers, community organizers and even local government officials might be interested in attending events in celebration of National Inclusion Week. Various webinar events can be attended, as well as taking daily actions that will work toward the ultimate goal of inclusion all over the world. Those who register (for free) as participants on the NIW can get access to a Tool Kit which offers a Daily Action for each day of the week that will help to change the way individuals and companies think about and implement inclusion for all.

Volunteer for an Inclusion Charity

An excellent way to celebrate National Inclusion Week might be to get connected with a non-profit organization in the local community or online and volunteer to help. In addition to being a powerful way to give back to the community, volunteering for a charity that assists those with disabilities can help people to learn more about their community and about themselves. Plus, it’s a great way to make connections and become more involved with the purpose of inclusion.

Employers who are interested in supporting inclusion charities may be interested in offering their employees the opportunity to receive paid volunteer days so that everyone can take part!

Host A National Inclusion Week Event

Those who do not have an event scheduled in their community for National Inclusion Week might want to consider hosting one! Organizers can invite speakers to an event whose voices may not normally be heard, including those with stories of disabilities, cultural differences or breaking other norms. As stories are told and voices are heard, it can make a difference in the way all humans are viewed and treated.

Or, for events that include younger children, consider involving the kids by inviting them to play games that include experiences of folks with different abilities, like navigating an obstacle course in a wheelchair or trying to run a foot race while on crutches. Then have a conversation with the participants about how that felt and what ways they might show more care and inclusion for those with different abilities than their own.

Celebrate Other Inclusion Events

Instead of only focusing on this important topic during one week, be sure to include other days in the calendar that seek to acknowledge different aspects of inclusion, all throughout the year. Consider celebrating some of these as they come around in the first part of the year:

• International Women’s Day on March 8
• National Black History Month in February
• International Day of Acceptance in January
• World Down Syndrome Day on March 21