The Inclusive Society: The Engine of Progress We Cannot Ignore

By Dr. Durga Prasad Mishra

As the world observes the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPD), the theme—"Fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress”—demands more than mere acknowledgement. It is a powerful invitation to abandon a decades-old fallacy: the belief that accommodating disability is an act of charity, rather than a fundamental driver of collective human development.

With over a billion people worldwide identifying as having a disability, this is not a niche issue; it is a global imperative. These individuals—students, engineers, entrepreneurs, and artists—represent an enormous, often untapped, reservoir of talent, creativity, and perspective. Yet, for too many, the barriers they face are not physical limitations inherent to their condition, but man-made obstacles: inaccessible public transit, rigid employment practices, and deeply ingrained social stigma.

A society cannot claim to be progressing if it systematically excludes 15% of its population.

Inclusion: The Hidden Catalyst for Innovation

The case for inclusion is not just moral; it is economic and practical. When we design for the edges, we improve the experience for the center. This principle is best illustrated by Universal Design. Take, for instance, the invention of the curb cut, initially conceived to help wheelchair users navigate streets. Today, who benefits? Parents pushing strollers, travelers hauling luggage, delivery workers, and older adults with mobility issues. A design choice made for inclusion became a convenience for everyone.
Similarly, in the workplace, inclusive hiring practices do more than just meet diversity quotas. They solve problems. Consider a major tech company that intentionally hired employees on the autism spectrum to work on quality assurance. Their hyper-focused attention to detail led to the discovery of critical system flaws that neurotypical staff had overlooked. The result? A stronger product and a demonstrable return on investment. Inclusion moved from a compliance check to a competitive advantage, proving that diverse teams—in all their forms—are simply better at problem-solving.

Breaking Down Policy and Prejudice

To genuinely advance social progress, the 2025 theme calls for renewed effort in three critical areas that require both systemic policy change and a fundamental shift in mindset:
1. Inclusive Design: We must move beyond retrofitting. Every new building, piece of software, and public service must be born accessible. This means incorporating WCAG standards into website development, ensuring all public transit vehicles are low-floor, and prioritizing tactile and auditory information alongside visual cues.
2. Equal Opportunities: Governments and businesses must enforce robust employment policies that guarantee reasonable accommodations and flexible work arrangements. It is time to dismantle the perception that hiring a person with a disability is "difficult" or "expensive," and replace it with the reality that it is a strategic investment in a loyal, high-performing employee.

3. Shifting Attitudes: This is perhaps the hardest, yet most vital, battle. We must actively dismantle the persistent cultural narrative that frames disability through the lens of pity, fear, or inspiration porn. We must replace charity with empowerment, and stereotypes with the respectful recognition of individual capability and dignity. Media plays a crucial role here, moving away from token stories of "overcoming" and instead focusing on the daily lives, contributions, and challenges faced by persons with disabilities as active members of society.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Technology holds the keys to unprecedented independence, yet it also risks creating a new chasm. From screen-reading software for the visually impaired to AI-driven tools that convert sign language to speech, the tools exist. But if these innovations remain prohibitively expensive or if digital infrastructure lacks accessibility standards, the digital revolution will simply leave millions behind on the wrong side of the divide. Digital inclusion is not about providing access to the internet; it is about ensuring the internet itself is usable and affordable for all.

A Shared Responsibility, A Collective Ascent

The theme for the 2025 International Day of Persons with Disabilities is a call to action for every sector. Governments must legislate inclusively. Businesses must innovate inclusively. Educators must teach inclusively.
But the most powerful change begins with the individual. It starts with challenging our own biases, demanding accessibility in our local communities, and committing to empathy in our daily interactions.
An inclusive society is not merely a fairer one; it is a wiser, more resilient, and ultimately, more prosperous one. When we design a world where every person, regardless of ability, can fully participate and contribute their unique strengths, we are not just helping them rise—we are ensuring that all of society rises with them.

This article is written for educational and awareness purposes and does not substitute for professional diagnosis or treatment. If you suspect you or someone you know may have AuDHD, consult a qualified developmental professional.

(The author is the Dean and Principal of the School of Occupational and Physiotherapy at DRIEMS University)