What inclusion means to be Hannah Diviney
As The ALAN Project grows, we’ll be launching a few exciting things over the next few months.
One of them is the introduction of guest posts. These will be written by a few different people highlighting their own unique perspective on inclusion, and our first one is written by Hannah Diviney
Hannah Diviney is a writer, author, actor and advocate, a storyteller who’s always looking to build her community, lead and teach by living her boldest life possible .
In Hannah’s own words:
“Inclusion isn’t a birthday cake. You can’t run out of pieces or eventually finish what’s there. No one else has to lose if other people are invited in. Instead, let’s reframe inclusion as renewable and infinite, a resource that can be stretched as far as you let yourself imagine.”
We loved reading Hannah’s insights on what inclusion means to her and why it benefits everyone .
Hannah is available for creative work now and you can follow her on Instagram: @hannahthewildflower to learn more about her work.
ID1: A young woman with long dark hair smiles warmly at the camera. She is wearing a bright pink textured top. Over the photo, bold black text on a white rounded rectangle reads: “What Inclusion Means to Hannah Diviney.” At the bottom right corner is The ALAN Project logo with the words: “THE ALAN PROJECT – Guest post.”
ID2: A cream-coloured background with a rounded light blue text box in the centre. Inside the text box is a passage in italic black font that reads:
“When I was asked to write an article about inclusion and what it meant to me, there was only one place to start.
And that’s by getting something straight. Despite what certain politicians or media outlets would have you believe, inclusion is not a dirty word. It isn’t a threat.”
At the bottom right corner is The ALAN Project logo with the text: “THE ALAN PROJECT – Guest post.”
ID3: A cream-coloured background with a rounded light blue text box in the centre. Inside the text box is a passage in italic black font that reads:
“Unfortunately though, especially in 2025, inclusion is a word that often gets weaponised, framed as something too hard, too expensive, too niche.
Specific special treatment designed to benefit only a few, who for one reason or another need a hand up every now and then to level the playing field..”
At the bottom right corner is The ALAN Project logo with the text: “THE ALAN PROJECT – Guest post.”
ID4: A cream-coloured background with a rounded light blue text box in the centre. Inside the text box is a passage in italic black font that reads: Politically, inclusion often gets used as a football by those who would rather create division and fear.
Who operate best on an ‘us vs them’ mentality.
Who have convinced themselves that power is a slim and finite resource that they must hold onto, and by extension prevent others from gaining at any cost
ID5: A cream-coloured background with a rounded light blue text box in the centre. Inside the text box is a passage in italic black font that reads: But inclusion isn’t a birthday cake. You can’t run out of pieces or eventually finish what’s there.
No one else has to lose if other people are invited in. Instead, let’s reframe inclusion is renewable and infinite, a resource that can be stretched as far as you let yourself imagine.
And not only that, but it’s important to realise inclusion benefits everyone, even the people
who are so used to naturally being included they don’t even think twice about it.
ID6: A cream-coloured background with a rounded light blue text box in the centre. Inside the text box is a passage in italic black font that reads: Inclusion doesn’t mean less for you.
Instead, it means is making space and creating room for everyone to thrive in their own ways.
It means giving people from marginalised communities the freedom to exist in an equitable world, instead of one not built for us.
It means creating community, a sense of ownership and investment in what happens around you.
ID7: A cream-coloured background with a rounded light blue text box in the centre. Inside the text box is a passage in italic black font that reads: Let me give you an example:
If a local council decides to transform a steep gutter into a smoother kerb, who in the community does that benefit?
You’re probably picturing those with physical disabilities, people like me who navigate the world in a wheelchair and for whom something like a kerb can be a very real and painfully effective barrier.
Or maybe you’re seeing an elderly person, slowly shuffling to cross the road.
ID8: A cream-coloured background with a rounded light blue text box in the centre. Inside the text box is a passage in italic black font that reads:
But have you considered parents with prams or small children?
How about women in high heels or anyone on a night out, navigating their way home in the dark?
Runners in the morning, deep in the zone?
The list of people who might feel supported and seen by such a small change is endless...
ID9: A cream-coloured background with a rounded light blue text box in the centre. Inside the text box is a passage in italic black font that reads: We’re all better for inclusion, and that’s why it’s so important to me to demystify and simplify exactly what it can look like.
In my mind, inclusion is actually one of the simplest
and purest concepts we as human beings have.
It’s everything from finding an extra chair for dinner to shuffling along on the couch to make room when you’re watching a movie and texting someone an invitation, an offer to hang out and connect.
It’s love and warmth and an antidote to apathy.
ID10: A cream-coloured background with a rounded light blue text box in the centre. Inside the text box is a passage in italic black font that reads Inclusion should be one of the easiest things in the world.
As much a part of our daily routines as brushing our teeth or needing to eat.
We use it way more than we know, we just don’t label it as such.
But if we did, maybe it wouldn’t feel so scary or complicated.
ID11: A cream-coloured background with a large rounded rectangle at the top containing bold black text: “Thank you for reading!”
Below, in smaller black text, it reads:
“You can learn more about Hannah and the work she does by checking out her Instagram: @hannahthewildflower.
This post was written on the Stolen Lands of the Dharawal people.
At The ALAN Project, we acknowledge that this land always was and always will be Aboriginal land.
We also acknowledge that First Nations communities often face marginalisation, and we are committed to listening, learning, and amplifying different perspectives on how we can create an inclusive environment for First Nations peoples.”
