For disabled people, segregation often starts young. It looks like separate classrooms, separate playgrounds and rules that keep disabled kids on the sidelines while their peers play. What might seem like a harmless act of “safety” or “convenience” actually reinforces a system that isolates disabled children, denying them the chance to build friendships, learn social skills and be part of their communities.

Segregation isn’t just a childhood issue; it shapes the way society views disabled people throughout our lives. When we’re segregated as children, it sends a message to our peers that we don’t belong, that we’re “too hard,” or that we’re “better off” with “our own kind.” This mindset follows us into adulthood, fueling exclusion, abuse and systemic discrimination.

Inclusion isn’t just about letting disabled kids play. It’s about creating a world where everyone feels valued and has the opportunity to thrive. Inclusion builds empathy and understanding, not just in disabled children but in their peers, too.

When kids like Matilda are taught that it’s okay to challenge the rules and stand up for what’s right, they grow into adults who don’t just accept the status quo—they question it, change it and make it better.

As our kids return to school, let’s teach them about segregation. Let’s help them understand why it’s harmful and why it’s their job to challenge it when they see it. We can teach them to recognise exclusion and empower them to take small but meaningful actions, like saying hello to the child standing alone on the playground.

And let’s teach them about the beauty of good trouble. History shows us that every great movement for justice started with someone willing to break the rules to do the right thing. This back-to-school season, why not plant the seeds of a future where disabled kids aren’t left on the sidelines, longing to belong?