I.NCLUSIVE
Inclusion turns communication into collaboration.
Create moments where the person feels involved, valued, and part of the decision - not managed or directed.
Key Pointers: Inclusion means …
… Sharing the Control
Avoid telling or directing when an invitation or option would do
… Similar Emotion
Dramatic sadness, exaggerated enthusiasm, or forced cheerfulness can feel unsettling or inauthentic.
… Simple Language & Detail
Too much detail can confuse or overload someone.
… Avoiding Familiarity & Teasing
Avoid being overly familiar or intimate in tone. Teasing is too often seen as sharing fun when it is mostly confusing and pressuring. It is rarely evidence of connection, especially in front of others.
We wouldn’t walk up close, raise our voice, or say “How are you today, sweetie?” to a shop assistant, our manager, or a public figure - so we shouldn’t do it in care interactions either. If we do, because we know someone well and would like to show we care, we should do it when no-one else hears. If they want to be familiar or tease, it’s not an invitation for us to do the same.
If I say…
'“What would you like to drink?”
It can make Milly feel… Overwhelmed and afraid to offend by getting it wrong. “What if I want a Gin & Tonic and they laugh or they haven't got any?”
Example Situations with Milly:
I could say this…
“Would you like a cup of tea?
No? Ok. A cold drink maybe?”
Simple sentences, one idea at a time
If I say…
“Her memory is good today. She seems to follow instructions.”
It can make Milly feel… Undignified.
I could say this…
“So Milly, I was just giving a little update on how you are. I think you've felt pretty good today and enjoyed doing a variety of things. Do you agree?”
If I say…
“I don't understand what you’re saying. Do you mean you want to go out, or you want to go to bed or what?”
It can make Milly feel… Confused and Disempowered
I could say this…
Let me turn the television off, it's so difficult to concentrate with all that noise. So, Milly how can I help you?”
Collaborative and respectful and giving time to respond, without interruption.