Reflect, Review, and Refine: Strengthening Your Inclusion Strategy for the Year Ahead

As the year draws to a close, it’s essential to reflect on our progress in our inclusion journeys and consider how we can build on these achievements moving forward. Reflecting helps us refine our goals and set new intentions, making each effort more impactful. In this edition of Making Inclusion Work, we'll walk through ways to assess our inclusion practices, celebrate our successes, and prepare to go even further in the new year.

Reflecting on Progress - What Worked, and Why?

Reflection allows us to understand which efforts made the most impact. Here are some questions to consider:

• What initiatives brought us closer to our inclusion goals? Consider the specific successful actions or policies and what made them effective.
• Which voices and perspectives have we amplified? Recognising whose voices are being heard helps us see if we’ve made strides toward intersectionality or if there’s room for growth.
• What feedback have we received, and how did we respond? Sometimes, the most insightful feedback comes from constructive criticism. Reflect on moments where feedback helped improve accessibility or inclusivity.

Identifying Growth Areas - Where Could We Improve?

Actual progress requires us to be honest about areas that need more attention:

• Missed Opportunities: Were there instances where inclusion could have been prioritised but wasn’t? For example, a policy review, training, or communication practices could have used a fresh perspective.
• Resources and Training Needs: Identify gaps in resources or training that, if addressed, could bolster inclusion practices.
• Mindset and Attitude Shifts: Reflect on whether there were shifts in attitude toward inclusion within the team or organisation. Is inclusion now more embedded in decision-making, or is it still viewed as an “add-on”?

Encouraging a continuous improvement and learning culture fosters resilience in the face of setbacks and strengthens future efforts.

Setting Purposeful Actions for the New Year

Now, let’s look forward. How can we turn this year’s reflections into meaningful action?

• Define Clear, Actionable Goals: Break big inclusion goals into smaller, actionable steps. For instance, if increasing accessibility is a goal, define what that looks like practically.
• Create a Plan for Tracking Progress: Inclusion isn’t just about setting and monitoring goals. I suggest using tools to track progress regularly.
• Prioritise Community and Collaboration: The most sustainable change comes from working with others. To ensure buy-in, I encourage collaboration between all levels of the organisation, including leadership and employees, to learn what each group needs from the other to succeed. I also recommend including people with diverse perspectives, including those with lived experiences.

Looking Ahead to a Year of Impact

As we look to the year ahead, I invite you to commit to more focused and intersectional inclusion efforts. Remember that progress is not about perfection; it’s about continuously striving to improve, learning from each step, and embracing challenges and successes as part of the journey.

Every thoughtful action, no matter how small, builds towards a more inclusive culture.

What’s one thing you’ll commit to improving in your inclusion journey next year?

How to Work with Me

• I’m available for Disability Inclusion Policy and Action Plan Development/Reviews, Inclusive Committee Reviews, Stakeholder Engagement, and Disability Inclusion Consulting
• You can book an intro chat to discuss your organisation's specific needs.
• Book an intro chat with Ainslee .