Deep Analysis of Closing the Distance

Closing the Distance Chart Download as pdf

People find that they understand the meaning of social and economic inclusion best when it is applied to the real lived experiences and reality of people who are left out or marginalized in their communities. For any particular group, community, or public policy area, we can ask the Line of Inquiry across the top of the "Closing the Distance Chart":

• What are the realities of exclusion?
  Or, how do people in this group or community feel left out? How do they experience being "put a distance" from resources or participation in the community?
   
• What are the sources of exclusion?
  Why do people feel left out? What do they say is the cause of their being distanced? What do they point to as the problems?
   
• What are the benchmarks of inclusion?
  How could the people affected feel that they were part of the community? What would give them a sense of belonging and recognition? What would have to change in the way that they experience life in the community and larger society?
   
• What policies, programs, practices, etc. would create or advance inclusion?
  Where should happen to make inclusion real in people's lives? What kinds of action are needed? Who is responsible for making these changes?

This kind of "line of inquiry" can be used with members of marginalized populations to move from identifying exclusion in their everyday life experience to defining what action would create inclusive conditions that benefit them and the entire community. The following examples of the immigrant and single parent experiences illustrate the application of this line of inquiry.

The last part of the Closing the Distance Analytic tool is to apply the six distancing dimensions to the lived experiences of people in communities. How does the experience of immigrants, single parents, alienated youth isolated seniors, or other marginalized groups reflect distancing along the lines indicated in the left hand column of the CTD Chart? (See Distancing Dimensions).

The use of the CTD Chart as above can produce a "deep analysis" of social and economic exclusion in our communities and can be used to identify the conditions and actions needed to create inclusive, welcoming and supportive communities for everyone.

The Chart Download as pdf