Inclusion is a sense of belonging, connection, and community at work.

And inclusive organizations

help people feel welcomed, known, valued, and encouraged to bring their whole, unique selves to
work. Culture is ―the ideas, customs, and social behaviour of a particular people or society.‖ An
organization‘s culture is the culmination of the priorities, values, and behaviours, which support their
employees in how they work singularly, in teams, and with clients. Culture plays a huge role in
shifting the diversity needle and forming truly inclusive environments. Hence, An inclusive culture
involves the full and successful integration of diverse people into a workplace or industry.
Additionally, inclusive cultures extend beyond basic or token presence of workers who have
disabilities. They encompass both formal and informal policies and practices, and involve several core
values: Representation: The presence of people with disabilities across a range of employee roles
and leadership positions Receptivity: Respect for differences in working styles and flexibility in
tailoring positions to the strengths and abilities of employees Fairness: Equitable access to all
resources, opportunities, networks, and decision-making processes.

There are three dimensions/elements of an inclusive culture:

1. Universal Design: One of the most heralded concepts in disability advocacy and cultures in
the last decade is the concept of “universal design”. Universal design refers to the
construction of structures, spaces, services, communications, and resources that are
organically accessible to a range of people with and without disabilities, without further
need for modification or accommodation.
2. Recruitment, Training, & Advancement Opportunities: This dimension of inclusive culture
refers to providing equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their abilities. It
involves effective recruitment of people with disabilities, accessible training materials and
resources, and equitable access to promotion and professional development opportunities.
3. Workplace Accommodations and Accessibility: Policy & Practice: This element of inclusive
culture focuses on ensuring that workplaces are accessible and accommodating for all
individuals, regardless of their abilities. It involves implementing reasonable
accommodations and providing accessible policies and practices.

In Ethiopia, the practice of inclusive education is a concrete illustration of inclusive culture. The 2017
Inclusive Education Master Plan in Ethiopia emphasizes that inclusive education goes beyond the
physical inclusion of persons with disabilities in mainstream classrooms. It involves addressing all
aspects of education to ensure that every individual, regardless of ability, has the opportunity to
participate and learn effectively.

Other manifestations of inclusive culture include:

 Leadership commitment: Organizations with an inclusive culture should have leaders who
actively promote and support diversity, equity, and inclusion.
 Diversity training: Providing employees with training on diversity and inclusion can help
create a more inclusive work environment.
 Inclusive policies: Organizations should implement policies that ensure equal treatment and
opportunities for all employees, regardless of their background or abilities.
 Diverse hiring practices: Implementing diverse hiring practices can help create a more
inclusive workforce and promote a culture of inclusion.
 The Advantages of an Inclusive Culture for Individuals with Disabilities

1. An inclusive culture promotes equal treatment and opportunities for people with disabilities.
Inclusive communities ensure that people with disabilities have equitable access to resources,
services, and opportunities. For instance, a public library with designated spaces equipped with
braille books and audio resources caters to the needs of blind individuals, providing them the same
opportunities for learning and enjoyment as their sighted counterparts.

2. An inclusive culture enhances the well-being and self-esteem of individuals with disabilities.
Inclusion fosters a sense of belonging and acceptance, positively impacting the well-being and self-
esteem of people with disabilities. When individuals feel valued and included, they experience
improved mental health and overall life satisfaction. For example, an inclusive community center that
offers accessible recreational activities and actively involves individuals with disabilities in social
events helps cultivate a positive sense of self-worth and belonging.

3. An inclusive culture encourages the active participation and engagement of people with
disabilities. Inclusive communities actively engage people with disabilities in decision-making
processes and community activities. By involving them in shaping their own lives and communities, it
empowers individuals and helps them develop a sense of ownership and contribution. For instance, a
city council that includes individuals with disabilities in advisory committees ensures their voices are
heard and their needs are considered when making decisions that impact the community.

4. An inclusive culture promotes diversity and understanding among individuals with disabilities.
Inclusion embraces diversity and recognizes the unique strengths and perspectives that people with
disabilities bring to the community. This diversity enriches the fabric of society and promotes a more
empathetic and understanding society where differences are celebrated. For example, a workplace
that actively hires and accommodates individuals with disabilities benefits from their diverse
experiences and innovative problem-solving approaches, leading to a more dynamic and inclusive
work environment.

5. An inclusive culture drives innovation and creativity among people with disabilities. Inclusive
cultures foster an environment of collaboration and openness, encouraging the sharing of diverse
ideas and perspectives. People with disabilities often offer unique insights and problem-solving
approaches, leading to increased innovation and creativity within society. For instance, a technology
company that includes individuals with disabilities in its product design and development teams can
create more accessible and user-friendly solutions that benefit a broader range of users.

6. An inclusive culture builds a more equitable society for people with disabilities. By valuing
inclusivity, communities strive for equity in providing accessible infrastructure, services, and support
systems for people with disabilities. This helps to create a fairer and more just society where
everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed. For example, a city that invests in accessible
public transportation, ramps, and elevators ensures that individuals with mobility impairments can
navigate the urban environment independently, promoting equal access to employment, education,
and social activities.
Ethiopia has implemented indigenous inclusive values and practices to promote the inclusion of
people with disabilities (PWDs):

1. Inclusive education: Minilik Secondary School in Addis Ababa serves as a remarkable

example of inclusive education practices in Ethiopia. The school has taken significant steps to
promote the inclusion of PWDs by providing tailored support and resources. For instance,
they offer assistive devices such as hearing aids, wheelchairs, and Braille materials, ensuring
that students with disabilities have the necessary tools to fully participate in their
educational journey. Additionally, the school employs sign language interpreters and trained
teachers who can provide individualized attention and support to students with hearing or
visual impairments. These inclusive practices enable PWDs to access quality education and
actively participate in the school’s academic and extracurricular activities.
2. Sign language: Abrhot Library in Ethiopia is dedicated to promoting inclusive practices and
accessibility for PWDs. The library recognizes the importance of sign language as a means of
communication for individuals with hearing impairments. To ensure that PWDs can fully
engage in library activities, Abrhot Library provides sign language interpreters who facilitate
communication between library staff and visitors with hearing disabilities. This service
enables PWDs to access information, participate in library programs, and fully benefit from
the library’s resources, ultimately fostering a more inclusive and equal society.
3. Inclusive public spaces: The Ethiopian government’s commitment to creating accessible
public spaces is exemplified by the Ethiopian Building Proclamation (No. 624/2009). This
legislation addresses the accessibility of design in public buildings, ensuring that they are
suitable for use by individuals with physical impairments. As a result, public spaces such as
government offices, hospitals, and shopping centers are equipped with ramps, elevators,
accessible restrooms, and other features that promote independent mobility and inclusivity.
These affirmative actions enhance the participation and social integration of PWDs in various
aspects of community life.
4. Inclusive communication: Recognizing the importance of inclusive communication, the
Ethiopian government has mandated that all television stations provide sign language
interpretation for news broadcasts. This initiative ensures that television programs are
accessible to individuals with hearing impairments, allowing them to stay informed about
current events and actively engage in society. By providing sign language interpretation,
television stations contribute to a more inclusive media landscape that values the diverse
communication needs of all citizens, regardless of their abilities.
5. Economic empowerment: The Ethiopian government’s commitment to the economic
empowerment of PWDs is demonstrated through programs like the Programme for Agro-
Business Induced Growth (AgroBIG). This program has implemented tailor-made training
programs specifically designed to enhance the livelihoods of PWDs. By providing vocational
training, skill development, and financial support, AgroBIG enables PWDs to engage in agro-
business activities and become economically self-sufficient. This affirmative action promotes
the social inclusion of PWDs by empowering them to actively contribute to the country’s
economic growth and development.