- Tips for how to get along with your neighbors...
In this day and age, it doesn’t theoretically take a whole lot of effort to make communities more welcoming and accessible. Social media has spread greater awareness and understanding of how to accommodate various needs and differences. The education is out there, as are the tools and resources to create a better world for just about everyone. Yet somehow, those small changes that could make a huge difference always seem to get lost in the shuffle.
Of course, budgetary constraints and conflicting priorities often lead to tough decisions. Elected officials need to worry about managing multiple interest groups, while keeping people safe and secure. A culture of individualism, meanwhile, makes it hard to convince the public of the need for collective action. But in a perfect world, here’s what individuals and governments could do to build more inclusive towns, cities, and public resources for all.
1. Accessible Spaces
A community will never be inclusive if any of its members lack basic access to all of its shared spaces. For that reason, accessibility in public spaces is a crucial starting point to any inclusivity initiative. The first order of business is to make sure all the members of a community can physically get to and use its shared spaces. That means ensuring access to government buildings, community centers, schools, museums, parks, parking lots, playground equipment, and more.
When you think of physical accessibility, don’t stop at enabling disability access for people with mobility issues. Consider also blind, deaf, and hard-of-hearing folks, and people with invisible disabilities and chronic illnesses. Remember details like braille signage, captioned media, and lighting and sounds that could trigger seizures or migraines. Provide seating for people who need more rest, and public restrooms for those with chronic bladder and bowel issues.
Accessibility isn’t just physical, though: all members of a community need to be comfortable entering public spaces. Shared areas need to be both implicitly and explicitly welcoming to BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other historically underrepresented populations. What does this look like? Gender-inclusive restrooms with clear, authoritative signage, to start. Plus, better opportunities to own businesses, lead governments, and have a voice in managing these spaces.
2. Public Transportation
One thing Americans almost never think about is how bad cars and highways can be for building communities. Sedentary, car-based lifestyles are already unpleasant and bad for just about everyone’s well being — not to mention their impact on the environment. Yes, there are plenty of folks with disabilities who benefit from being able to drive rather than walk. But for many others, a car-driven society can be extremely limiting.
Inclusive public transit systems make it easier for people with certain kinds of disabilities to live independently. For instance, folks with blindness or certain mobility disabilities that inhibit driving can take the train or bus, instead of getting a ride. Public transit can also provide freedom and independence for folks without the resources to buy, rent, or borrow a car. It can level the playing field for people living in poverty or surviving domestic violence and abuse.
Public transit can also improve air quality, making it literally easier to breathe in those communities. With less reliance on cars, there are fewer emissions and pollutants in the air, and the environment begins to self-repair. Everyone’s health improves, but folks with respiratory disorders may see better health outcomes. Plus, reducing cars and highways can mean smaller, denser communities that are more navigable for people with mobility issues.
3. Healthcare
Inclusive communities need affordable, high-quality healthcare that absolutely everyone can access as needed. This should be true regardless of socioeconomic factors, LQBTQ+ status, or pre-existing conditions. Free or sliding scale community clinics are vital to maintaining public health and ensuring equal access to care. Everyone deserves equitable access to a high standard of preventive, primary, specialty, and emergency care.
But high-quality healthcare shouldn’t just be available, it should be actively inclusive, and actively support underrepresented populations. This includes policies to ensure BIPOC and LGBTQ+ folks receive the same standard of treatment as everybody else. Healthcare providers need to work extra hard to avoid inclusivity issues like racial bias in pain management. Queer and transgender folks need access to sensitive, appropriate, and non-judgmental care.
Communities also need to give special attention to the need for sexual, reproductive, and mental healthcare. Free or affordable family planning resources can be vital to the health and safety of community members. Sliding scale therapy and free crisis mental health resources are also an absolute necessity. These and other healthcare resources improve the health and safety of the entire community, not just the people who use them.
Advocating for What’s Right
These issues are just a starting point. To build a truly inclusive community, you’ll also need powerful community education. This might include diversity, equity, and inclusion training for everyone from government officials to teachers to your police force. Other changes could include government support and incentives to create more BIPOC-owned local businesses. Not to mention affordable housing and more equitable employment opportunities.
Of course, it’s not like you can make all these changes overnight — even if you’re a high power elected official with a limitless budget. No matter what, you’ll need plenty of community support, lots of planning and preparation, and to battle a bunch of red tape. That’s why the first step to any real fight for inclusivity is advocacy. You’ll need to make your community understand why these vital resources are so important.
Law and policy changes won’t come easily, but they can often be a good start, especially for smaller communities. Voting for bathroom bills or disability policies can lead to some immediate, significant changes. Don’t be afraid to raise issues in community meetings or contact local government officials. You never know when your voice could be the one that makes the first real dent in your community.