WHAT IS INCLUSION? WHAT'S NOT?
If others say one thing, but do another, you are lying to yourself if you don’t listen to their actions.
Don Miguel Ruiz |
What is inclusion? Why are more people concerned about it? And why now?
Let’s start with the last question. Some of us have been agitating for the inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all areas of society for many years. (In my case, for 24 years, after my son, Benjamin, was diagnosed with cerebral palsy shortly after birth.) At that time, some people saw inclusion as a fad—the “wild” idea of “radical” parents—that would pass. But it wasn’t and it didn’t.
Why are some people concerned about inclusion? For many reasons, in no particular order. Because some parents want the same life for their children with disabilities that their children without disabilities have. Because some people embrace the spirit and intent of federal laws (Developmental Disabilities Act, Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, and others) that affirm the full participation of people with disabilities in all areas of society and/or prohibit discrimination based on disability. Because some people recognize that the invisibility of people with disabilities (in schools, community activities, employment, etc.) is not the result of one’s choice to be invisible, but the outcome of systemic efforts by others to “help” people that resulted in segregation in special, separate programs. Because some people with disabilities and/or their families are refusing to accept segregation. Many people recognize the abject immorality of segregating, devaluing, and marginalizing people based on a characteristic—inclusion represents the polar opposite of institutionalizing people with disabilities, a practice that represented conventional wisdom for decades. (The 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education is unequivocal: “Segregated facilities are inherently unequal.”)
So inclusion—in schools, communities, employment, and other places—is a hot topic for some. But many activities that are described as inclusive are not! Read more...
Copyright 2011 Kathie Snow, www.disabilityisnatural.com; all rights reserved. You may make copies of the PDF of this article to share with others as a handout. Do not republish in newsletters, blogs, websites, etc., without permission. Click here for the Terms of Use and permission request form.
THINK ABOUT IT . . .
The beginning of wisdom is the definition of terms.
Socrates
Words are name tags which save us the trouble of thinking about the objects or ideas which they represent. Here exactly lies their capacity for mischief.
Judith Groch
It is clear that language not only reflects social structures but, more important, sometimes serves to perpetuate existing differences in power; thus a serious concern with linguistic usage is fully warranted.
Francine Wattman Frank and Paula A. Treichler
In order to survive, those of us for whom oppression is as American as apple pie have always had to be watchers, to become familiar with the language and manners of the oppressor, even sometimes adopting them for some illusion of protection. Whenever the need for some pretense of communication arises, those who profit from our oppression call upon us to share our knowledge with them. In other words, it is the responsibility of the oppressed to teach the oppressors their mistakes.
Audre Lorde
NEWS
Check out the latest posts on the Your Stories page (real stories from real people):
--Stay Out of "Job Services"
--Inclusion vs. Segregation
--Chasing the Elusive Therapy Fix
--Those Who "Cared" Often Didn't See the Real Me
ATTENTION PARENTS: Educator and friend, Dr. Vaughn Lauer, is creating a book, When a School Says No, How to Get the Yes! Vaughn says his book "is being created and is based on school meetings that were and were not successful in meeting a child’s needs and obtaining appropriate educational services." Interested in submitting a scenario of your child's IEP or 504 meeting(s) for Vaughn's book? If so, send an Email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
to learn more about this book, ask questions, and receive guidelines for submission of your scenario.
TobiiATI—Celebrating Communication features eye-gaze technology, augmentative and alternative (AAC) communication devices, and a new app that turns symbols and text into speech.
Ready for a laugh (and some powerful truth)? Check out the "Behavior Analyst vs. Staff" YouTube video.
Out-of-control Email? Learn more about the "Email Charter" that can "Save Our Inboxes!"
VISIT DISABILITY IS NATURAL
INCLUSION—it's what our unique books and media are all about, for children and adults with disabilities.
Disability is Natural: Revolutionary Common Sense for Raising Successful Children with Disabilities ($30.00) provides effective strategies that can ensure children with disabilities of all ages live more natural lives, included in all areas of society—disability does not have to be a barrier to living a wonderful, normal, successful life!
My Apple-Bites book ($10.00) is a little book full of big ideas, and my 101 Reproducible Articles: Revolutionary Common Sense for a New Disability Paradigm book ($28.00 or $38.00 with CD) is just that: more than 100 reproducible articles that can be shared with others, used for trainings, and more!
Other affordable goodies—posters, badges, bookmarks, magnets, and sticker sheets—are available in 30+ designs that promote new ways of thinking about disability.
While you're visiting Disability is Natural:
PRESENTATIONS
I'll be presenting in Ohio, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Maryland, Arizona, Oregon, Mississippi, Missouri, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Delaware in the coming weeks and months, and presentations are pending in other locations. I'd love to see you at any of those events, and I'd also love the opportunity to present for your organization! Click here to learn more.
THANK YOU!
Thanks for your interest in Disability is Natural! You're welcome to share the link to this newsletter with others. Before using the contents of this E-Newsletter on websites/blogs, in newsletters, etc., please review our Terms of Use.
Remember to always Presume Competence in people with disabilities!
Kathie
Copyright 2011 Kathie Snow, All Rights Reserved, BraveHeart Press, www.disabilityisnatural.com |
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