10 Ways To Be INCLUSIVE

This is a list of 10 ways to be inclusive in everyday life. Being inclusive is a part of Yachad, The National Jewish Council For Disabilities - mission statement.

1. Eye Contact

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Be sure to maintain eye contact when speaking to someone. It lets them know that you're actually interested in what they're saying and makes them feel more included in the conversation.

2. Body Language

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Make your body language inclusive! Make sure not to turn your back to others in a circle and to leave an opening so that others can join.

3. Be Sensitive To Those Around You

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When talking to people, make sure that everyone feels comfortable with the topic being discussed. Don't bring something up if you know that it makes someone else feel uncomfortable. Also if you see someone who feels left out of a conversation, consider changing the topic so that everyone feels comfortable and included.

4. Save A Seat For Bracha/Baruch

Robin Tassler

Make your space inclusive! Leave an extra space when sitting or talking in a circle to allow room for others to join.

P.S. Bracha and Baruch are generic names, we're not trying single anyone out!

5. Be Verbally Proactive

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Don’t assume someone will come over to join your conversation if they want to. That could be very intimidating! Make sure to be proactive about inviting people into your conversations!

6. Give a 30 Second Summary

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Make your conversations inclusive. When someone joins a conversation, catch them up on what they missed so that they don't feel lost and confused once they join.

7. Make Conversation - Don't Just Ask Questions

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When talking to someone for the first time, don't give them an interview! Instead, after asking preliminary questions (name, school, camp, grade, etc) bring up a funny story or a current event that you two could discuss. This will help the conversation flow and maybe even result in more conversations about common interests.

8. Look For The Person Who Isn't Standing With Others

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How would you feel if you were standing all alone? Wouldn't you feel great if someone went out of their way to ask you to join them in whatever they were doing? If the answer is yes, then take the attitude of "treating others the way you want to be treated" to heart and go do exactly that!

9. Be Patient When Others Are Speaking

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"Patience is a virtue" - the saying goes. This is especially relevant in conversations; if you keep cutting a person off, they won't want to talk to you anymore! Instead, be patient when someone else is speaking and wait for your chance to respond. Your friend will appreciate your manners and will totally want to reciprocate the courtesy!

10. Don’t Feel Embarrassed To Go and Introduce Yourself

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Making friends is hard for everyone and introducing yourself to someone new can be really hard! Don't let your fear of introducing yourself stop you from making friends. Next time you see someone new, go over and introduce yourself! Say "Hi, my name is *blank*, what's yours?". It may be hard at first, but think of the potential!

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