It’s often said that Whidbey Island has a strong, supportive community. But strong in what ways and supportive of whom? Everyone or a select few?

At the Embracing Difference Island County Summit on Monday, dozens of county leaders met to discuss strategies for creating a more inclusive community. Keynote speaker John Ryan, the producer of “Right to Risk,” the 2005 documentary which followed eight people with physical disabilities during a 255-mile whitewater rafting trip through the Grand Canyon, spoke on reframing disability.

According to Ryan, one out of every six people has a disability, and most people will acquire one by the end of their lifetime.

“If everyone is different, why isn’t it normal to be different?” he asked.

Ryan thinks discrimination and prejudice are still two of the biggest challenges standing between people and complete inclusion. Though people may have good intentions, they’re often taught as children not to look at people with differences, and it’s difficult to break down that barrier and begin communicating.

Ryan thinks in order for the community to thrive, people need to actively seek out those with disabilities to get their opinion on what they need and to discover which resources they’re lacking. Additionally, he encouraged people to speak with their business about hiring more diverse staffs.

“The community needs to care about the issues, see something they can do and believe it will make a difference,” he said.

He mentioned small things people can do that often aren’t considered like ensuring branches are removed from sidewalks so the visually impaired can walk safely on the streets.

Cheryn Weiser, the executive director of Senior Services of Island County, spoke on the importance of getting involved with community services during a time of devastating budget cuts.

“We’re going to be in a county with greater need and fewer dollars,” Weiser said after stating that by 2030, about 30 percent of residents are expected to be over 65. “We’re going to need more volunteers. Where are they going to come from?”

Weiser said at a holiday party she attended this weekend for thrift store volunteers, she noticed that between 50 to 60 percent of the volunteers were 80 or older and believes that statistic needs to change.

She stressed the importance of coming together as an island and letting go of the tendency to treat North, Central and South Whidbey like separate entities that have to fend for themselves. She thinks in order for that to happen, there needs to be more collaboration between organizations, and cultures and people need to take on leadership roles. She said it would be helpful if there was one, constantly updated online directory where people could locate services and volunteer opportunities island wide.

“I think it’s time to raise the bar of what it means to be a caring community,” she said. “It’s a huge task, it may not be doable, but what is our choice?”

Be the difference

To find a volunteer opportunity in your area, visit www.unitedwayic.org/volunteer.htm.