Why True Inclusion Is a Myth (And What to Do Instead)
Let me just say the quiet part out loud: there is no such thing as truly inclusive.
Yep, I said it. And I meant it.
Sarah Heeter, host of the Big Brave Business podcast, brought five of us together for an episode titled “Your Business is Inaccessible (Let's Fix That).” I was joined by Erika Stanley, Ali Cameron, Michelle Beauchamp, and Lindsay Hyatt—and right from the jump, Sarah asked us: *"What does true accessibility in business look like—and what barriers still prevent full inclusion?"
And one of the first things I said was: I don’t think there’s any such thing as truly inclusive.
I said it because I live it. As a deafblind entrepreneur and accessibility educator, I’ve seen how complex inclusion actually is.
"I do not think there is anything that is truly inclusive, because there is no possible way that you can actually meet every single person that has a disability in the way that they need to. But how to actually do it is to build equity, like build experiences so that they still feel like they are going through the same experience."
The distinction between inclusion and equity is so important, and so often missed.
Because here's the truth: we keep chasing some fantasy version of accessibility where everything works perfectly for everyone. But that’s just not possible. People are wildly different. What works beautifully for me (like captions) might be completely inaccessible or annoying for someone else.
So what do we do?
We focus on options. On flexibility. On equity.
As fellow guest Ali Cameron said during the conversation, "It's very much about that optionality... providing the different options that people can leverage depending on their own specific needs to then equitably be part of the conversation."
That part. That’s the magic.
Equity means creating experiences where people can participate in a way that works for them. It’s not about sameness. It’s about agency. It’s about access.
That’s why I don’t waste energy trying to be perfectly inclusive. Instead, I build systems and experiences where people have choices. Where they can access the same value, even if the path looks different.
This looks like:
Letting clients book calls when they can, not on my timeline
Offering multiple content formats
Speaking up when something isn't accessible
Asking people what they need and following through
Michelle Beauchamp said it beautifully: start with how can I help? And then actually do the thing.
Inclusion isn't a box you check once and call it done. It's a mindset. A practice. A daily invitation to ask: what would make this more accessible, more equitable, more welcoming?
So no, I don't believe true inclusion exists.
But I do believe in building equity. I believe in creating experiences that say, "You belong here. And you don't have to fit someone else's mold to show up."
And honestly? That’s a much more powerful goal.
