Inclusion is about engagement and relationships

I just got some money out at the airport and here at the ATM it says “we support the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras”. Apparently my bank also supported Pride in Auckland. Celebrating inclusion and diversity it said. Well good on my bank and apparently they will be donating ATM operator fees for non-bank cardholders from its GAYTMs (look it up it’s pretty and apparently gay) during the festival to Twenty10, a not-for-profit organisation working with and supporting people of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities, their families and communities. ATM operator fees from ‘The only GAYTM in the village’ will be donated to a charity near its location. Mark Hand, the banks Managing Director Retail Distribution and member of their Diversity Council said: “Building a culture of respect and inclusion is important to our staff, our customers and the communities that we live and work in.”

So here is the bank, engaging and being part of the diversity of the community.

Meanwhile in a parallel universe…

Recently I facilitated (through an interpreter) an event for an ethnic community to provide information about changes to the disability service system. About 45 people attended, many were illiterate in English and in their language of origin.  About one hour into the session, a worker from the community stood up and angrily demanded when would I be talking about the money people could get. A man said that he had specially bought a new bag to put the money in. It turns out that some of the services in their country of origin get delivered via cash handouts. I was struck by the gap between where people were at and the level of choice and control they expect to exercise under the NDIS.

In the meantime, at a recent meeting I attended, a senior bureaucrat wonders out loud when enough is enough? How many community languages? Do we really need it in braille and in easy read? What else does it take? And you know it’s really expensive! Isn’t some of this just a colossal waste of money?

My ‘evil capitalist’ bank has no real (legal) obligation to be inclusive and celebrate diversity. Yet what they get, that successive governments seem to struggle with, is that inclusion requires presence, respect and a willingness to be with the other.