Inclusion is a Must
Ann Marie Licata, PhD
Assistant Professor, Millersville University
Inclusion is not merely allowing an individual to participate or to be part of a group but welcoming another human being into the experience. Fully accessing the experience (and content) creates a sense of belonging and provides a real opportunity to become a valued member of a community. Belonging, or connectedness, can lead to higher academic success and contribute to a greater sense of fulfilling one’s inherent personal and/or professional purposes. When asked “why” we promote inclusive classroom instruction, the answer seems obvious: We engage in inclusion to achieve a greater sense of community and belonging, which contributes to greater academic success, which then leads to greater personal and professional outcomes. Communities that adopt inclusion as a moral imperative will produce a more just and civil society in which all members feel a sense of belonging and value as members.