Progressions

Building Belonging: Implementing BEDI & Accessibility at a District Conference 

Accessibility and BEDI (belonging, equity, diversity and inclusion) are not just concepts we talk about. They have a profound effect on human lives; yet our understanding of these topics are often shaped by our own experiences and the people we meet. For me personally, my relationship with my younger brother, who is on the autism spectrum, has been a cornerstone in shaping how I view accessibility and BEDI.

When I was younger, I didn’t understand why my brother behaved in certain ways or how he reached some conclusions that seemed unusual to me. I had a very restrictive and inaccurate view on how a person on the autism spectrum would behave. And honestly it was very hard to understand my brother’s feelings. I remember getting mad at him for talking too loudly, or when I made a wry joke he wouldn’t understand. 

As I’ve grown older, I’ve come to realize that we are all unique individuals who process information in unique ways. I understand that when he talks “too loud,” he is feeling overwhelmed by other noises. Even though we don’t have many things in common, we are siblings, and with patience and understanding we closed the gap between us.  

Witnessing the challenges he faces has opened my eyes to the barriers — both visible and invisible — that so many people encounter daily. There were many moments of frustration and confusion between us, and sometimes there still are, but those moments have taught me the importance of slowing down and truly listening, not to just words but to the feelings behind them and the actions that reflect them.  

Years of watching my brother made me realize why accessibility should be an educational priority. We need to create environments where diversity is not just acknowledged but seamlessly integrated into the way we live and connect with one another. Unfortunately, many schools are not equipped to meet the needs of every student, and these relationships are not nurtured. My brother faced many challenges in his school years, not only from his classmates but also due to a lack of understanding from his teachers and even his school counselor.  

Despite receiving bad grades, he was also one of the most intelligent students from his class and taught himself a great deal about computers and mechatronics. He is experienced in several programming languages and has competed in multiple robotic competitions, all through self-teaching and determination. His talents and achievements remind me that when we support and understand each other’s differences, we allow our unique abilities to shine.  People are so much more than the barriers they face or the labels they are given. Sometimes, their greatest strengths lie hidden, waiting to flourish in the right environment.  

Last November, I attended the book presentation of Gustavo Fulco, a communicator and educator at my university, Universidad Argentina de la Empresa, where he discussed how to ensure an organic “convivencia” with everyone. The word “convivencia” (coexistence) is about not simply living alongside others — it is about building relationships. Very often, the word “inclusion” is used to describe this idea, but this can unintentionally imply that some people are outside of society and therefore need to be “included.” It is not about making room for others; it is about realizing that we all share the same space and that we are richer when everyone has a chance to contribute. We are all part of society, and so “convivencia” refers to finding ways for all of us to live harmoniously, respecting and understanding our differences. 

In Argentina there are many laws and regulations that promote physical, communicational, educational and workplace accessibility that are often not enforced. Barriers exist in many public spaces, and people with disabilities are still required to visit a public office in person to renew their Disability Certificate, even if their disability is permanent and unchanging. A recent improvement came from a partnership between the government of the city of Buenos Aires and Salidas Inclusivas, a non-profit in Argentina that seeks to guarantee equal opportunities for neurodivergent people, their families and support networks, that added pictograms in public transport, helping neurodivergent people and people with cognitive disabilities hold more independence when traveling.  

Even when there is legislation that promotes accessibility and diversity, it often only causes more barriers. This is something I experience daily with my partner Noah, who is nonbinary. Not too long ago, they were able to change their gender marker to an “X” on their ID, which initially seemed like a positive step forward. However, many services or institutions still do not recognize the new gender marker and the government did not take any actions to enforce it. Because of this, their ID is not accepted by many companies when trying to hire a service, and this has made navigating day-to-day tasks much more complicated.  

Change is a process, not a single action. While it can be frustrating when systems seem slow to adapt, every step forward is a step toward a fairer and more equitable society. Accessibility, in all its forms, is a continuous effort, and we must all play a part in making sure it’s not just a buzzword but a living reality.  

Like any meaningful change, it must start from within—within our education, within our personal actions, and within our organizations. When we prioritize accessibility at every level, we create the foundation for a truly inclusive and equitable society. As one of the International District Conference Coordinators, I want to add to this process of change by bringing accessibility and BEDI into discussion through one of our panels. We are also working with Soy Refugio — a small entrepreneurship of immigrants and refugees in Argentina — to include their products in the gifts for our conference speakers and broadcast a video about them, this way giving visibility to products that have a social impact. We will also send a subtitled version of the event a few weeks later, and our venue is already prepared and accessible for people with disabilities. At the heart of it, we are all searching for the same thing: a place where we are understood, where our struggles are met with compassion, and where we feel that we belong.