Our Story
Spinclusion began with a simple but powerful idea: helping people understand inclusion through conversation, learning, and play.
The game was originally created by a young person supported by Community Living Toronto, alongside a staff member, after experiencing exclusion in their classroom. Together, they created something that could help students better understand differences, kindness, empathy, and belonging in a fun and engaging way.
What started as one person’s experience of exclusion grew into something much bigger.
After Spinclusion was created, the team began visiting schools and community spaces across Toronto, and later had the opportunity to bring inclusion conversations to classrooms across Canada. Through presentations, workshops, and gameplay, students were encouraged to think differently about accessibility, respect, friendship, and how everyone deserves to feel included. These conversations create space for students to ask questions, reflect on their own experiences, challenge assumptions, and better understand what inclusion looks like in everyday life. As one student shared, “When I hear the word inclusion, it makes me think about what it feels like to be included.” another reflected, “It really made me think about how I treat people.”
Through the game, students learn that inclusion is not just a concept, but something we practice through our words, actions, and choices every day.
Spinclusion continued to grow through the support of educators, students, community organizations, self-advocates, and facilitators. Over the years, we have seen the impact the game can have in helping create welcoming, inclusive, and safer spaces for meaningful conversations. They explore real-life scenarios, work through challenges together, and build empathy by considering different perspectives. One student described inclusion as “letting everyone do something together no matter if they have a disability or anything. It’s letting everyone be equal in a safe environment.” Another shared, “We should be embracing different, not making fun of it.”
The game was originally created by a young person supported
by Community Living Toronto, alongside a staff member, after experiencing exclusion in their classroom. Together, they created something that could help students better understand differences, kindness, empathy, and belonging in a fun and engaging way.
What started as one person’s experience of exclusion grew into something much bigger.
After Spinclusion was created, the team began visiting schools and community spaces across Toronto, and later had the opportunity to bring inclusion conversations to classrooms across Canada. Through presentations, workshops, and gameplay, students were encouraged to think differently about accessibility, respect, friendship, and how everyone deserves to feel included. These conversations create space for students to ask questions, reflect on their own experiences, challenge assumptions, and better understand what inclusion looks like in everyday life. As one student shared, “When I hear the word inclusion, it makes me think about what it feels like to be included.” another reflected, “It really made me think about how I treat people.”
Spinclusion continued to grow through the support of educators, students, community organizations, self-advocates, and facilitators. Over the years, we have seen the impact the game can have in helping create welcoming, inclusive, and safer spaces for meaningful conversations. Through the game, students learn that inclusion is not just a concept, but something we practice through our words, actions, and choices every day.
Through the game, students learn that inclusion is not just a concept, but something we practice through our words, actions, and choices every day.
They explore real-life scenarios, work through challenges together, and build empathy by considering different perspectives. One student described inclusion as “letting everyone do something together no matter if they have a disability or anything. It’s letting everyone be equal in a safe environment.” Another shared, “We should be embracing different, not making fun of it.”
Today, Spinclusion is used in schools, community programs, and workplaces to help people of all ages:
- Learn about inclusion and belonging
- Build empathy and understanding
- Celebrate differences
- Practice teamwork and communication
- Create safer and more welcoming spaces
At its core, Spinclusion is a fun and engaging way to learn about inclusion, build empathy, celebrate differences, and start conversations that can create lasting change.
About Community Living Toronto
Spinclusion is proudly supported by Community Living Toronto, an organization that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live the lives they choose, whether that means finding a home, getting a job, building meaningful connections, or participating in activities they enjoy.
Their supports are tailored to each person, helping them feel valued, included, and connected to their communities.
Community Living Toronto proudly supports over 4,000 people and their families in more than 80 locations across Toronto.
The community living movement began with families advocating for their loved ones to live in the community rather than institutions. Today, Community Living Toronto continues that work by promoting belonging, inclusion, and the rights, choices, and voices of people with intellectual disabilities.