Ratgeber

Goals of Inclusion: What Inclusion Aims to Achieve and Why It Matters

March 18, 2026

11 min

Inclusion (the shared living and learning of people with and without disabilities) is a concept that shapes social policy, education, and everyday life around the world. But what exactly does inclusion aim to achieve? What are its concrete goals? And what does this mean for professionals working in school assistance, childcare support, or family services?

This article provides a clear overview of the most important goals of inclusion. It explains the legal foundations and shows how social sector professionals can contribute to making inclusion a reality. If you want to build a solid foundation in this area, Diingu offers a free introductory course: Fundamentals of School Assistance.

What Does Inclusion Actually Mean?

Inclusion means that all people can participate equally in society. It is not about fitting individuals into existing systems. Instead, the systems themselves should be changed so that they work for everyone. [2]

This is what sets inclusion apart from integration (the process of incorporating people into existing structures). With integration, people have to adapt. With inclusion, the environment adapts.

Since 2009, inclusion has been a recognised human right in Germany. That year, Germany ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD, an international treaty on the rights of people with disabilities). [6]

UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) emphasises that every learner matters equally. Yet millions of people worldwide are excluded from education. The reasons include gender, ethnic or social background, language, religion, economic status, or disability. [8]

The Key Goals of Inclusion

The goals of inclusion cover many areas of life. Here are the most important ones, especially for professionals in the social sector.

The overarching goal of inclusion is the full and equal participation of all people in every area of society. Participation means: every person can take part in education, work, leisure, culture, and politics.

The UN CRPD defines this participation as an essential human right. [1] This means participation is not a privilege or a favour. It is something every person is entitled to.

In 2026, there is a stronger focus on putting existing laws into practice. Accessibility and social participation should not just exist on paper. They need to become a lived reality. [1]

What does this mean for your work?

Regularly ask yourself: Can the child or person I support truly take part in all activities?
Participation is not just about being present. It means active involvement.
Make sure nobody is just "there" without actually being included.

Goal 2: Accessibility in All Areas

Accessibility (designing environments, products, and services so that all people can use them) is a central goal of inclusion. It goes far beyond ramps and lifts. Accessibility covers three areas:

Physical accessibility: Buildings, pathways, and rooms without barriers
Digital accessibility: Websites, apps, and digital services that everyone can use
Communication accessibility: Information in plain language, sign language, or other accessible formats

In February 2026, Germany passed important changes to the Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act. These changes require so-called reasonable accommodations. These are individual adjustments that remove barriers for specific people. [5]

Practical tips for your daily work:

Check spaces for barriers: Are there tripping hazards? Can everyone reach the materials?
Use simple language when communicating with children and families.
Ask the person you support or their family: What barriers do you experience?

If you want to learn more about the legal foundations, the Diingu course Legal Foundations of School Assistance provides a helpful introduction.

Goal 3: Inclusive Education

Inclusive education means that children and young people with and without special educational needs (additional learning support requirements) learn together in the same school. This goal is also part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4). SDG 4 calls for inclusive and quality education for all. [10]

The long-term study INSIDE examined how inclusion works at secondary schools in Germany. The results show that inclusive education is possible but also faces limitations. [11]

A particular challenge in Germany: Despite the commitment to inclusion, the country continues to maintain a separate special school system (schools specifically for children with special needs). Experts argue that consistent implementation of inclusion could use resources more effectively. This could also relieve mainstream schools. [9]

What does this mean for school and childcare assistants?

School assistants and childcare support workers play a key role in making inclusive education work. They help children participate in lessons and in the social life of the school or childcare setting.

Support the child's independence rather than doing everything for them.
Help the child build connections with other children.
Work closely with teachers and educators to address the child's needs.
Observe what barriers the child faces in daily school life and raise these issues.

The Diingu course Fundamentals of Childcare Support offers more on the practical side of inclusion in early childhood settings.

For a long time, social participation was mainly understood as equal access to educational opportunities. Recent research shows that this is too narrow. Social participation needs to be understood more broadly. [13]

Diversity (the variety and differences among people) is a key concept here. Inclusion recognises that all people are different. This difference is not a problem. It is an asset.

Social participation includes, for example:

Being able to make friends
Taking part in leisure activities
Feeling a sense of belonging
Making your own decisions
Being respected and valued

For professionals in family support, this goal is especially important. Families with a child with a disability often experience social isolation. Supporting social participation is therefore a central task. You can learn more in the Diingu course Introduction to Family Support Services.

Goal 5: Participation in Working Life

Beyond education, participation in working life is a central goal of inclusion. Work provides structure, social connections, and an independent income. The German coalition agreement includes measures to improve the participation of people with disabilities in the labour market. [2]

However, it often remains unclear how these goals will be achieved in practice. [3] There is still much work to be done.

Goal 6: An Accessible Healthcare System

Another important goal is an accessible healthcare system. All people should have equal access to medical care. This includes barrier-free medical practices, understandable health information, and the ability to make decisions about one's own health. [3]

For family support professionals, it is helpful to know about the services available in the healthcare system. The Diingu course Healthcare System and Community Resources provides a useful overview.

Legal Foundations: What Laws Support the Goals?

The goals of inclusion are not just aspirations. They are backed by laws and international agreements. Here are the most important ones:

Law or Agreement	What It Covers
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD)	Defines inclusion as a human right. Legally binding in Germany since 2009. [6]
Equal Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities Act	Regulates accessibility and reasonable accommodations. Updated in February 2026. [5]
National Action Plan for the UN CRPD	Describes concrete measures for implementing the UN CRPD in Germany. [4]
Coalition Agreement	Sets political goals for improving participation. [2]
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4)	Calls for inclusive and quality education for all worldwide. [10]

If you want to understand the legal framework in more detail, the Diingu courses Legal Foundations of School Assistance and Legal Foundations of Childcare Support offer practical introductions.

The Index for Inclusion: A Practical Tool

The Index for Inclusion is an internationally recognised framework for schools and educational institutions. It was developed by Tony Booth and Mel Ainscow. [12] The Index helps organisations implement inclusion in a structured way. It covers three dimensions:

Creating inclusive cultures: Building a community where everyone feels welcome.
Establishing inclusive structures: Designing rules and processes that work for all.
Developing inclusive practices: Shaping teaching and care so that all children benefit.

How you can use the Index for Inclusion:

Use the guiding questions from the Index to reflect on your own practice.
Ask yourself: Do all children in my group feel welcome?
Consider: What structures could I change to improve participation for everyone?

Current Challenges in Achieving the Goals

The goals of inclusion are clear. But putting them into practice is not always straightforward. Here are the main challenges:

Special Schools vs. Inclusive Schools

Germany continues to maintain a parallel special school system despite its commitment to inclusion. [9] This means many children with special needs still attend separate schools. Consistent implementation of inclusive education could lead to more effective use of resources. [9]

The Gap Between Policy and Practice

Many political goals have been stated. But it often remains unclear how they will be put into practice. [3] Professionals on the ground need clear guidance and sufficient resources.

Thinking About Inclusion Holistically

Inclusion must not be limited to specific groups. It needs to be understood holistically. [7] This means inclusion is not only about people with disabilities. It concerns everyone who faces the risk of exclusion.

Social participation is more than access to education. It encompasses all areas of life: friendships, leisure, work, and health. [13]

Practical Tips: How You Can Contribute to the Goals of Inclusion

As a social sector professional, you can make a difference every day. Here are some concrete suggestions:

For School Assistants

Promote independence: Support the child only as much as necessary. Let them do as much as possible on their own.
Enable social connections: Help the child build relationships with peers.
Collaborate with the team: Talk regularly with teachers about the child's needs.
Identify barriers: Observe what obstacles the child faces in school and raise these issues.

The Diingu course The Pool Model in School Assistance introduces an innovative approach to school assistance that supports inclusion.

For Childcare Support Workers

Embrace diversity as normal: Show children that differences are natural and valuable.
Focus on strengths: Look at what the child can do, not just what they struggle with.
Adapt communication: Use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC, tools like pictures, symbols, or signs that support understanding) when needed.

Relevant Diingu courses include Diversity-Sensitive Practice in Childcare and Augmentative and Alternative Communication.

For Family Support Professionals

Empower families: Help families understand and claim their rights.
Build networks: Connect families with appropriate support services.
Support everyday participation: Help families take part in leisure activities and social events.

The Diingu course Networking and Access to Support Systems provides valuable foundations for this work.

Why the Goals of Inclusion Matter to Everyone

Inclusion is not a topic that only concerns people with disabilities. An inclusive society is a better society for everyone. When schools work inclusively, all children benefit. When workplaces are accessible, older people and parents with pushchairs benefit too.

The goals of inclusion are ambitious. But every small step counts. As a professional in the social sector, you make an important contribution every day. You help children, young people, and families participate in society. That is valuable work.

If you want to deepen your knowledge about inclusion, Diingu offers free introductory courses on various topics:

Fundamentals of School Assistance - The ideal starting point for anyone working or planning to work in school assistance.
Legal Foundations of School Assistance - Learn about the laws that underpin inclusive education.
Fundamentals of Childcare Support - Everything you need to know to get started in childcare support.
Diversity-Sensitive Practice in Childcare - Learn how to value and promote diversity in everyday childcare.
Introduction to Family Support Services - A great starting point for anyone supporting families.
Strengths-Based Practice - Discover how to focus on children's strengths.

All introductory courses at Diingu are free. You can start right away and learn at your own pace.