Finding Virtual Inclusion

What day is it again? Honestly, the days all blend together when you can’t leave your house, don’t they? Last night over dinner, Will and I were shocked to realize that the “Safer at Home” order from our California Governor was nearly 2 weeks old now. We have a lot of time to fill without our regular routines and activities. It’s been rejuvenating to see how communities are coming together, extended families are connecting, and everyone is now fluent in using Zoom (a tool our team has been using for years to conduct virtual meetings and more recently our monthly webinars).

Of course, I’m always on the lookout for inclusion, even when we are all experiencing what feels like segregation. I saw that one of my favorite dance companies, Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG), is offering free online dance classes for all ages, and all abilities. MMDG has been intentional about disability inclusion and I was thrilled to see their Instagram announcement explicitly invite people with disabilities to participate.

Meanwhile, back at the KIT virtual ranch, our Inclusionistas are hustling to help meet the needs of our learners in new ways. In the midst of being busy at work, adapting to life with kids at home, our Inclusionistas are creating new ways to stay connected. This week we held the first-ever Virtual Story Time for our KIT-kids (or Junior Inclusionistas), initiated by Phillip. It was a big hit for the adults and kids alike, and a joyful respite during a challenging time.

We are ALL going to learn a lot during this time, and the biggest lesson may be that it takes more than a pandemic to crush the human spirit.

And that you can ground our KIT Trainers, but you can’t keep them from doing their thing. 

I hope you and yours are staying safe and healthy and finding the small joys that abound, even in dark times.

See you soon!