Inclusive connected futures: Editorial introduction to special section on “Envisioning Inclusive Futures”

For many, the future is one where life is bigger, brighter, and full of exciting possibilities. This optimistic worldview, however, is not automatically universal as not all individuals have the opportunity to participate fully in societal activities. Global definitions and measures of disability are not fully comparative, but the World Health Organization has made reasonable estimates. (WHO 2011 ). For example, in the US, more than 57 million people have been identified as having a disability, constituting nearly one-quarter of the US population. Globally, people with disabilities are estimated to be between 15 and 19% of the population, or between 785 and 975 million, the most recent estimate based on 2010 global population. While the papers drove the Summit discussions on alternative inclusive futures for people with disabilities, they represent just a beginning toward envisioning a transformative future. Creating a brighter future, peppered with audacious foresights, requires coupling powerful ideas with visionary implementation approaches.