Everyone has the right to participate. We are committed to ensuring that disadvantaged people are not denied this right.
Inclusion is not a favor. All people have the right to be an equal part of society. This is stated in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which has been in force in Austria since 2008, and is directly linked to the first article of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (freedom, equality, solidarity). The Agenda 2030 for sustainable development also includes inclusion (e.g. SDG 4 & 10). However, we are still a long way from real equality for disadvantaged people.
In our definition of inclusion, we refer to the European “Inclusion and Diversity Strategy” and take the term further. In our understanding, inclusion includes the equality of people with disabilities and learning difficulties, but also of all those who currently cannot participate equally in all areas of society – for example, because of skin color, age, origin, social background, sexual orientation or gender identity. Often, these disadvantage factors are mutually dependent on each other, resulting in multiple disadvantages.
Overall, inclusion naturally affects all people who are not excluded. Inclusion can only succeed if we all stand up in solidarity for the rights of others. Because inclusion is much more than a good idea. It must be tangible and concrete in the way that offers and events are designed, for example. By equal opportunities we do not mean equalization, but active promotion of people with fewer opportunities. This does not happen by itself, but costs something. We have to be aware that inclusion requires money, time and energy, and we have to think and plan for this in a targeted manner.
But apart from the fact that inclusion as a human right is not up for discussion anyway, we simply cannot afford exclusion. As a society, we benefit greatly from diversity and the diverse approaches that different people bring to the table. We need this diversity and also the discussion about what “normal” actually is and what we lose if we exclude.
An important part of inclusion is therefore the recognition and appreciation of diversity. This means that we are open to people who are different from ourselves. It also means that we actively fight discrimination and raise our voices when we encounter hatred, ignorance and discrimination in everyday life.