Maureen Mahaney coordinates public information for LifeSkills Inc.

Theres a vibrant new culture in the world today. Its called inclusion. It begins with the affirmation that all human beings are gifted. This may sound strange to us, because were used to using the term gifted to describe the chosen few who have rare talents or exceptional intellectual capabilities. But the inclusion culture views giftedness much differently. In the spirit of inclusion, giftedness is a common human trait essential to our capacity to be creatures of our community. Gifts are whatever we are, whatever we do, or whatever we possess that allows us to create opportunities for ourselves and others to interact. Our presence is the fundamental gift we bring to our community. Presence is the foundation to all other opportunities and interactions. Essential to each persons presence is each persons difference. If we were all the same, wed have nothing to share or contribute. Therefore, not sameness, but presence and difference are fundamental to life and community. Kelly Hackett, supports coordinator for LifeSkills developmental services, says that many misconceptions surround people with disabilities. Lots of people think it takes someone with special training and expertise to be around a person with disabilities, but thats not so, Hackett said. It just takes someone to care, to listen and to acknowledge that they,like everyone else, have contributions to make. People with disabilities are frequently very isolated. Theyre interested in interacting with others and developing meaningful relationships, and they often try to get involved inactivities that already exist in the community, but theyre not always readily accepted or asked to join in because of their disability. Theres a hesitancy there. The beauty of inclusion is that it benefits both sides. The people with disabilities benefit by being involved, by interacting, by being heard; others around them benefit by getting to know them, by having positive experiences, and by realizing that they, too, have feelings, opinions, dreams and ideas.Sometimes parents of children with disabilities need additional support from their neighbors, friends, family members and churches because they feel lost in a complex service system they didnt even know they had to be a part of. There have been some major improvements throughout the years, Hackett said. But we still have a long way to go.Ive noticed that the Warren and Simpson (counties) school systems have made great strides by including kids with disabilities in classes and activities with other kids their age. They are doing some wonderful things things that didnt happen years ago.