The 18th Inclusion International World Congress concluded today after bringing together delegates from 75 countries and 125 organizations in a powerful display of global solidarity for the rights and empowerment of people with intellectual disabilities. The three-day gathering served as a dynamic platform for advocates, policymakers, and organizations to share strategies, discuss challenges, and promote inclusive practices while highlighting innovative approaches to accessibility and equity.
The diverse assembly reinforced the global commitment to advancing the rights of individuals with intellectual disabilities, with participants emphasizing the need for cross-sector collaboration and solidarity among civil society organizations. Leaders stressed that achieving true inclusion requires fundamental shifts in how governments and institutions approach disability from the outset rather than as an afterthought.
Sue Swenson, President of Inclusion International based in Washington DC, emphasized the universal nature of challenges facing people with intellectual disabilities worldwide. “People with intellectual disabilities are struggling with the same issues in almost every country around the world. We have 75 countries with us here in the World Congress, and that shows that people are willing to come together even when there’s strife or difficulty or challenges in the region,” Swenson stated. She highlighted persistent problems with government approaches to disability inclusion, drawing from her experience at international forums.She emphasized the need to move beyond decades of specialized advocacy toward comprehensive collaboration with LGBTQI, Indigenous, women’s rights, and other movements to achieve “real influence of inclusion and belonging for all people.”
Shabina Bano, representing Keystone Human Services International from India, highlighted her organization’s decade-long work promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for people with disabilities to lead meaningful lives in society. “This is a very good platform for us and we are getting a lot of knowledge on inclusion in every aspect of life, whether it is education, employment, recreation and any other services,” Bano said. She described inclusion as an ongoing process rather than a finite project, noting that her organization works to integrate global best practices while building on India’s strong policy framework.
“India is also a very progressive country and we’re trying to learn everything. We try to incorporate, integrate some of the good practices which are happening across the globe. But we have very strong policies. We have ratified UNCRPD, we have good policies and services to promote inclusion,” Bano explained. However, she acknowledged significant work remains ahead, stating “we have miles to go” while emphasizing that “inclusion matters for everybody.”
The congress’ conclusion marked the end of intensive discussions addressing persistent challenges in healthcare, education, economic participation, legal rights, and crisis response for people with intellectual disabilities. Delegates emphasized that achieving meaningful inclusion requires systemic changes in how societies approach disability rights, moving from segregated services toward comprehensive community integration and recognizing people with intellectual disabilities as full participants in all aspects of social, economic, and political life.
