Agents of Change: How Inclusion Transforms Through ‘My Culture’ and ‘Culture by Me’ Frameworks

Overview

I chose the phrases "my culture" and "culture by me" to illustrate how inclusion can transform through different agents.

“My culture” is contextually understood here as referring to the cultural background, practices, traditions, and values an individual personally associate with. It’s about the culture you identify with, whether it’s shaped by nationality, ethnicity, region, religion, or personal upbringing. In Igbo culture for example, they have a term called “Ogbenye”, meaning “poverty.” But literary, it means “the community gives or provides.” Therefore, for the Igbos: "My culture emphasizes provision for the poor by all."

In the same culture, there’s no clear line between the poor and those with disabilities. Often, those with disabilities are categorized as the poor because some of them ask for alms by the street corners, marketplaces, places of worships and townhalls.

Contrary, the phrase “culture by me” has a different connotation. It implies culture that is created or influenced by an individual. It suggests that you play an active role in shaping or contributing to a specific cultural aspect or environment. Culture by me inspires agencies of change. If we apply the same Igbo culture as above, an agent of change from that culture would inspire both the community and the culture. It will reflect meaningful change uplifting the poor and disabled through thoughtful design and inclusive practices. For example:

"This community orientation reflects culture by me, as I fostered wheelchair-accessible pathways, sensory-friendly spaces, and programs offering free vocational training and financial literacy workshops for underserved communities. By prioritizing universal design and equity-focused initiatives, the orientation fosters empowerment and inclusion for individuals of all abilities and socioeconomic backgrounds."

Visual representation of 'My culture' and 'Culture by me.'

The difference between “my culture” and “culture by me” is that the first is about belonging, and the second is about creating or impacting. Thus, the aim here is to bridge accessibility and inclusion through cultural evolution. As we pioneer inclusion, let us create accessibility through cultural precedents.

Outline:

• "My Culture" within Antecedent Modalities
• Antecedent Crises of "My Culture"
• "Culture by Me" within Modalities
• Precedent Crises of "Culture by Me"

When examining crisis modalities, antecedent and precedent, we can explore the interplay between "my culture" and "culture by me." In the context of antecedent modalities, "my culture" reflects established traditions and inherited identities, while precedent modalities highlight "culture by me" as a product of individual agency and forward-thinking contributions. Together, they offer a dynamic perspective on cultural evolution and crisis resolution.

"My Culture" within Antecedent Modalities

The first question to ask here is: what is a modality? A modality generally refers to a method, approach, or way in which something is done, experienced, or expressed. Its specific meaning can vary depending on the context:

In General Terms: It describes a mode or manner of operation. For example, in problem-solving, a modality might refer to the specific method or strategy used.

In Linguistics: Modality relates to the expression of possibility, necessity, or obligation. For example, verbs like can, must, or should express different modalities.

In Medicine and Therapy: It refers to a type of treatment or therapeutic approach, such as physical therapy, massage, or medication.

In Philosophy or Logic: Modality pertains to the concepts of possibility, necessity, and contingency, how things could, must, or might not exist.

In Accessibility and Inclusion: A modality might refer to the different ways information can be accessed, such as visual, auditory, tactile, or kinesthetics modalities, ensuring inclusivity for individuals with diverse needs.

In essence, one can say that modality is a language of possibility, necessity, obligation, and even contingency. When applied to accessibility and inclusion, it becomes the act of transforming what is conceived as necessary into actionable realities. It becomes an obligation to dismantle and transcend contingent assumptions about disabilities and accessibility, paving the way for equity and innovation.

Antecedent crises are about what has come before, the root causes or pre-existing conditions that contribute to a crisis. Similarly, "my culture" often stems from inherited traditions, values, and environments that have shaped your identity. It relates to the historical and contextual dimensions of an antecedent modality, such as “this is the way it has always been done” mentality and strategy.

Antecedent Crises of "My Culture"

These antecedent crises highlight the need to challenge inherited norms and practices that exclude marginalized groups. Addressing these crises requires a shift from "my culture" to "culture by me," where individuals and organizations actively create inclusive environments. Below is a list of some of those crises:

Historical Exclusion in Education

Many educational systems have historically excluded students with disabilities due to societal norms that prioritized able-bodied individuals. In a "my culture" framework, accessibility was not considered necessary, leading to systemic barriers in curriculum design, physical infrastructure, and teacher training.

Workplace Discrimination

Inherited workplace cultures often perpetuate biases against individuals with disabilities, women, and other characteristics and consider them as less capable or productive. This reflects a "my culture" mindset that fails to recognize the value of diverse abilities and the need for accommodations.

Digital Divide

The lack of accessible technology in the early stages of digital development created a significant gap for individuals with disabilities. This crisis reveals a "my culture" approach where innovation did not account for universal design principles.

Social Stigma and Marginalization

Cultural attitudes that stigmatize disabilities have led to social exclusion and limited opportunities for individuals with disabilities, women, and people from different backgrounds. This idea is deeply embedded in "my culture," where societal norms and values perpetuate discrimination.

As agents of change, let us use “culture by me” framework to reverse all the ancient stereotypes.

"Culture by Me" within Modalities

Precedent crises are tied to actions or choices that set a new standard or create ripple effects for future challenges. "Culture by me" aligns with this, as it involves actively shaping culture, making decisions or contributions that might influence others and lay the groundwork for what comes next.

 “Culture by me” can be likened to Loren Eisley’s story published in 1969 in his essay “The Star Thrower”.

A man was walking along a beach littered with countless starfish washed ashore after a storm. In the distance, he saw a young boy picking up starfish and throwing them back into the sea. Curious, the man approached and asked the boy why he was bothering, it was impossible to save all the starfish, so his efforts wouldn’t make much of a difference. The boy picked up another starfish, threw it into the ocean, and said, “It made a difference to that one.”

The "starfish thrower" allegory is a classic and heartwarming story that reminds us of the value of individual action, even when the larger problem seems overwhelming.

Precedent Crises of "Culture by Me"

Precedent crises related to accessibility and inclusion arise when actions taken to create change unknowingly led to new challenges or consequences. These crises stem from a "culture by me" framework, reflecting efforts to reshape norms but also revealing areas that require further refinement or adaptation. Some of the precedent crises include:

Digital Accessibility Mandates Leading to Resistance

Efforts to implement accessibility standards like WCAG across organizations or industries may face pushback from stakeholders who view compliance as burdensome or costly. A well-intentioned precedent of making inclusive digital experiences, many times reveals gaps in education and advocacy around the benefits of accessibility.

Inclusive Hiring Practices Generating Tokenism

Initiatives to promote diversity in workplaces may unintentionally lead to tokenism, where individuals with disabilities are hired to meet quotas rather than given meaningful roles. Policies about equal opportunities and striving for representation, often highlight the need for deeper systemic change to foster true inclusion and equity.

Universal Design in Physical Spaces Leading to Misalignment

Precedents of prioritizing universal design can sometimes create conflicts with other needs or cultural contexts. For example, a registered heritage public building redesigned for accessibility may inadvertently exclude heritage preservation considerations, which could spark debates on balancing inclusion and tradition.

Assistive Technology Adoption Causing Digital Divide

Introducing new assistive technologies may unintentionally exclude individuals who lack access to resources, training, or infrastructure to use them effectively. This is another precedent crisis of advancing technology for accessibility but underscores the need for equitable implementation strategies.

Policy Overreach and Accessibility Fatigue

Ambitious inclusion policies may lead to "accessibility fatigue," where individuals or organizations feel overwhelmed by the pace and scope of change.

The frameworks, “my culture" reflects the antecedent. It is about an individual’s origins and identity shaped by past influences. While "culture by me" mirrors the precedent, representing an individual’s power to act as an agent of change and create new cultural pathways.

You can relate either one of the frameworks or both to your idea of continuous improvement. Just like "my culture" reflects inherited values and practices, existing barriers to accessibility and inclusion which often stem from historical norms, systemic biases, or organizational cultures, these antecedents shape the challenges that marginalized groups face today.

On the other hand, "Culture by me" aligns with creating new precedents, empowering individuals or organizations to actively contribute to building inclusive environments. This involves reshaping existing norms, implementing accessibility standards, and influencing cultural shifts toward equity.

Conclusion

The interplay of antecedent and precedent crises in accessibility and inclusion underscores the complexity of transforming inherited barriers into inclusive opportunities. By addressing antecedent crises rooted in "my culture," such as historical exclusion and systemic bias, we can dismantle entrenched barriers and pave the way for progress. At the same time, navigating precedent crises emerging from "culture by me," like resistance to new norms or unintended inequalities, offers an opportunity for growth, refinement, and sustainable change.

This dual focus ensures a balanced approach, one that honours the past while forging an equitable future. It invites a collective commitment to not only challenge assumptions but also shape inclusive environments that uplift individuals of all abilities and backgrounds. As accessibility and inclusion evolve, these frameworks remind us that meaningful change is both a responsibility and a shared journey, one step closer to a world where everyone can thrive.