Zero Discrimination Day: Putting People First in Every Space

Every year on March 1, the world observes Zero Discrimination Day, a bold reminder that dignity, inclusion, and respect should be the foundation of every community. What began in 2014 as a campaign led by UNAIDS to eliminate stigma and discrimination faced by people living with HIV/AIDS has grown into a universal call to end discrimination in all its forms — whether based on disability, race, gender, age, socioeconomic status, health, or identity. At its core, Zero Discrimination Day asks us to see the person first.

This year’s theme, People First, invites organizations, communities, and individuals to examine how our systems reflect that principle in practice, not just in words.

Why People First Matters

For individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), discrimination often begins not with overt bias, but with systems that assume limitations instead of potential. In healthcare, schools, workplaces, and community spaces, people with I/DD and behavioral health challenges have historically encountered barriers — from inaccessible communication and rushed appointments to lowered expectations about their goals, abilities, and contributions.

Discrimination isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s the quiet assumption that someone can’t when what’s really needed is support, understanding, and opportunity.

Zero Discrimination Day challenges us to shift that mindset. It demands that we see each person’s humanity first and foremost and then build systems that reflect that truth.

People First and the Boundless Mission

For more than four decades, Boundless has embraced a people-first approach not by accident, but by design. Our mission — to build a world that realizes the boundless potential of all people — guides every service we provide across Ohio, from residential support and autism programs to primary care, behavioral health, respite, and community engagement. 

Boundless’ philosophy of whole person, whole life care reflects a simple but powerful belief: every individual deserves opportunities to thrive, not just survive. Whether someone needs supported living services, job training and employment support, speech therapy, or person-centered health care, our teams tailor care to the individual — not the other way around. 

At Boundless, people are never defined by a diagnosis. They are recognized for their strengths, interests, and aspirations. That means celebrating achievements, supporting autonomy, and creating pathways for individuals to participate in community life, pursue meaningful work, build relationships, and enjoy life in ways that matter most to them. 

What People-First Care Looks Like in Practice

Putting people first isn’t a slogan. It’s demonstrated in action every day across Boundless programs:

• Person-Centered Health and Behavioral Services that listen first, adapt second, and treat each individual with respect and dignity. 
• Residential and Supported Living Options that empower people to live as independently as possible in homes and communities of their choosing. 
• Vocational Training and Employment Services that help individuals build skills, explore interests, and secure meaningful work. 
• Community Programs that foster connection, creativity, and shared experiences through arts, after-school activities, and adult day services. 
• Health and Dental Services that provide accessible, trauma-informed care tailored to each person’s unique medical, sensory, and communication needs.

Every one of these services reflects a belief that people aren’t problems to be solved. Rather, they are individuals with potential to be realized.

Beyond Access: Toward Belonging

True inclusion goes beyond access; it’s about belonging. It’s about redesigning spaces, policies, and attitudes so that people with I/DD feel valued, respected, and understood in every environment they enter, from the doctor’s office to the workplace, from community groups to family gatherings.

Zero Discrimination Day encourages us not just to remove barriers, but to reimagine systems so that people of all abilities can fully participate and contribute.

For Boundless, that work is ongoing. It’s reflected in how teams adapt communication styles, extend appointment times when needed, partner with families, and celebrate even small milestones as major victories. It’s seen in how neighbors are welcomed into residential communities, how employment goals are pursued with creativity, and how community spaces become places of joy and connection, not exclusion.

A Call to Action: Every Day, Not Just One

Zero Discrimination Day reminds us that discrimination doesn’t end with awareness; it ends with commitment.

This March 1, and every day forward, we recommit to putting people first — in policy, in practice, and in spirit.

We invite you to learn more about how Boundless puts this mission into action through services that support the whole person at every stage of life. Together, we can create a world where every person is seen, heard, and valued for who they are.

Learn more about how Boundless can care for you or your loved one at iamboundless.org.