On 2 December 2025, during the week of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the Open Eyes Foundation and IDEM Rotterdam hosted a Living Library in Rotterdam as part of the KIJK! ONS project.
During this event, young people with disabilities took the stage as “living books”, sharing their personal stories in open conversations with the audience. Together, they explored themes that shape daily life: mental health, accessibility, inclusion, and participation in education, work, and sports.
The participants spoke candidly about their ambitions and creativity, as well as about fatigue, exclusion, stereotypes, and the pressure of adapting to systems not designed with them in mind. Some challenges were visible, others invisible, all had a real impact on their ability to participate fully in society.
Visitors were invited to listen, ask questions, and reflect. This created space for honest dialogue about inclusion, not as a concept, but as something shaped by everyday choices in schools, workplaces, and public spaces.
While the KIJK! ONS exhibition offered visibility, the Living Library offered connection. By sharing their stories directly, the young participants shifted the focus from individual limitations to collective responsibility.
More information and stories can be found at www.kijkons.nl
