Inclusion is related to integrity cohesion, and social justice and it consists in materializing the possibility of equal participation of all people in society, in all social dimensions (economic, legal, political, cultural, etc.)
The exclusion and inclusion
While exclusion is defined as a state or a situation, the idea of inclusion gathers some policies or interventions directed to reverse it.
It is about a political proactive and participative answer that goes beyond the passive protection of human rights.
The idea is to ensure that all people have the same opportunities and the necessary resources to participate fully in the economic, social and political life and to enjoy the conditions of a dignified life.
Mobility problems
Without a doubt, one of the most complex topics is the social inclusion of mobility that a person with any type of disability faces.
This is a continuous problem in every country around the world. Given this, Colombia is no exception.
The mobility problems go from partial limitation to total body paralysis. Some people suffer from this from the moment they are born or as a result of sickness or an accident.
This is the case of Juan Sebastian Betancourt. He is part of NKLUSIVLIFE, a company that was born with the idea that social responsibility can augment business through a strategy of social inclusion and exclusive promotions.
One of his objectives is to relate social responsibility with profitable and sustainable panoramas.
It is a right that has been violated. It is about looking for equality and opportunities for everyone.
And, even though this is not an easy task or a task that you can do from one day to the next, for others it has already started to generate positive changes in Colombia.
The first part that you do is analyze the place in question of accessibility for people with mobility problems or if they should be necessary modifications.
In that case, the next step is to inform and suggest what they should do so this can be carried out.
Besides this, the staff will receive training and necessary support so they become involved in the inclusion culture.
Solkes: How did you get involved in the theme of social inclusion?
Juan Sebastián Betancourt: Since I had the accident in 2003, I have always been interested in supporting inclusion and culture regarding disability. After studying and organizing my idea, I wanted to contribute to social responsibility in an innovative, different and that it doesn’t only compromise the people with disabilities but also involves the community as a whole.
Solkes: What are your personal and professional objectives with NKLUSIVLIFE?
Juan Sebastián Betancourt: My professional and personal objectives are very intertwined, professionally, I want to have a successful company, sustainable, profitable, and with potential growth. On the personal side, I have a clear goal to help the community in the situation of disability and to contribute in every way I can, therefore I can leave a mark in the world. Unfortunately, there are many ways of social exclusion. One of the most common ones is concerning mobility.
We have to start by each and everyone of us to support the idea, initiative and that it becomes universal.
What needs to be done
For many people, this is a strange concept. The process of walking is something that we learned when we were very little. And, after doing this, the majority of people never consider the possibility of facing a problem with their displacement. Nevertheless, for other people, the difficulty of walking or moving can be a physical or emotional problem.
Solkes: Why is it important that we improve in matters of inclusion?
Juan Sebastián Betancourt: Because it increases the sense of culture, it invites us to be better human beings and it doesn’t only promote the concept of accessibility, but business opportunities concerning inclusion.
Solkes: There have been a lot of changes in Colombia, how are we doing regarding social inclusion and mobility for people with some type of disability?
Juan Sebastián Betancourt: It has been a very slow process, notwithstanding the subject has taken force thanks to the support of organizations such as the foundation Saldarriaga Concha that promotes inclusion and gives opportunities of education to people in condition of disability. Some programs of the state have helped the Paralympic sports and established laws that support inclusion, but the truth and the crude reality is that there is a lot to do and we can’t always depend on the state.
Solkes: What else should we do?
Juan Sebastián Betancourt: Let’s start with respect and inclusion. Otherwise, it will be a network of objective solutions necessary for the community such as employment opportunities, accessibility in every infrastructure, and clear laws that protect the status of disability, among many other proposals.
Moving inside your home and into the community that surrounds us is a very central and essential part of anyone’s life. In the moment that it doesn’t feel there is help for mobility, it is when some start to face a problem of mobility isolation, anxiety, and depression can increase in an exponential matter.
The situation of people in condition of disability have a long path to go. Eventhough there has been advances, there is still a lot to do in matters of employment opportunity, dignified job, access and cultural inclusive.
There are various methods to help with the mobility of the people. But in the case of people who have some type of vision impairment, although there are many options, the limitations are still high.
So, people can have different problems accessing adequate mobility and as a consequences, there are many people who suffer from social exclusion in their everyday lives.
Social inclusion
Solkes: The problem of social inclusion is not only a problem in Colombia. In your experience, how do other countries work towards this subject?
Juan Sebastián Betancourt: Not only in Colombia but a great part of South and Central America and in some countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. The difference is that in the developed economies they have been very serious about social inclusion for a long time. They have integrated in their development plan and they have accomplished it in time.
Solkes: How should the subjects of social inclusion be faced in areas such as political, economics, and education, among others?
In the United States there is a totally different culture and more inclusive. All the universities and every establishment they are obliged to be accessible and provide the necessary opportunities for the whole society.
Juan Sebastián Betancourt: I think we have reached a point where there is not only a social perspective but a social obligation in our society. In the political arena, there should be inclusive laws that protect the disabled.Education should be accessible and available for everyone, without the importance of the condition of disability, and regarding the economic aspect, it is an opportunity that hasn’t been explored with more vision and innovation.
The architectural, urban, and mobility rights are fundamental for those people with any sort of disability. However, people who suffer from such problems should not be worried about fighting and demanding the right to move themselves with confidence and security, without obstacles that prevent this from taking place. The simple fact that a person has reduced mobility doesn’t mean that he or she should be treated differently. They shouldn’t receive rejection, exclusion, or being treated as a person of less value or importance.
