Discussion

Inclusion does not just happen as a result of a mission statement or from an increase in awareness about disability. What may facilitate a shift towards more inclusive outcomes, however, is the experience of new situations leading to behaviour changes, that in turn may create human capital assets (Miller & Russell, 2010). Intentional Invitations were sent out to a group of people with disabilities and some turned up, keen to share everyday experiences with others. In the process some shifts in attitudes and behaviour occurred in many participants. This was encouraging as it hints at the possibility that shared spaces can help create more social inclusion and cohesion.
The potential impact of an intervention aimed at increasing social inclusion is on a continuum from raising awareness, fostering dialogue and debate, mobilising partners, challenging entrenched social and cultural norms, building inclusive environments, changing professional and service practices through to building change capability (Field et al, 2012). We aimed to reach as far as possible, within the scope of this study, towards deep change within this continuum and discuss below what has been learnt about mobilising partners and building inclusive environments as a precursor to changing professional and service practices.