10/29/2026
Community Inclusion Month: Looking Back and Looking Ahead
At some point this month, you've probably opened a door for someone, held a conversation, joined a group, attended an event, or gone somewhere you felt welcome. Most of us don't spend much time thinking about those experiences. We just expect them.
But for many people, belonging isn't something that simply happens. It can depend on whether a building is accessible, whether transportation is available, whether information is provided in a way that's understandable, or whether people are willing to see ability before disability.
Community inclusion isn't really about October. It's about what happens on October 1, November 15, February 3, and every other day of the year. It's about creating communities where everyone has opportunities to participate, contribute, build relationships, and make choices about their own lives. As Community Inclusion Month comes to a close, that's the question we're left with:
Who is still missing from the spaces we care about, and what can we do to make sure they're welcomed?