In Belgium, the topic of inclusion often sparks debate, especially when it involves people with different mental ages. On 2025-07-29 18:33:00, a story emerged about Joris, a 38-year-old from Beringen who has the mental age of an 11-year-old. Despite his young mindset, he was recently refused entry to an indoor playground, barred from playing with children his age.
- Joris (38) has mental age of 11
- Joris was recently denied indoor playground access
- Mother states denial shattered his world
- Inclusion efforts fail, says Evi Neven
- Evi Neven leads Orthopedagogie at UCLL
- Case highlights challenges in social inclusion
This incident has left Joris and his family devastated. His mother described how “his world has collapsed” after being excluded. But was the refusal justified? The case raises important questions about how well Belgium is embracing true inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities.
How can society balance safety and fairness in public spaces? And why do such exclusionary moments still happen when awareness is growing? The answers reveal challenges in implementing inclusive practices across Belgium.
Is it right to deny someone access based on mental age rather than chronological age? This example shows the gaps in Belgium’s inclusion efforts. Experts like Evi Neven from UCLL stress that:
- Policies often fail to accommodate mental age differences.
- Public venues lack clear guidelines for inclusion.
- Families face emotional distress when loved ones are excluded.
- More training in orthopedagogy and awareness is needed.
Moving forward, Belgium must foster better understanding and practical solutions to support people like Joris. How can communities ensure everyone feels welcome? Only through ongoing dialogue and commitment to inclusion can such heartbreaking exclusions become a thing of the past.
