Inclusive Education
If you were to identify and describe the three main takeaways from the Tedx Talk and the video you watched, what would they be?
Watching the Tedx Talk Disabling Segregation made me cry happy tears for the children who received the support they deserved and needed in this video. My three main takeaways from this Tedx Talk and Including Samuel are advocating for inclusion, creating equal opportunities and that disabilities are a natural and normal part of life. Working with students with disabilities throughout various careers has shown me that inclusion is not always valued, which is highly damaging to those who experience a disability and to those who should be allies for those with disabilities.
When there is a lack of education surrounding disabilities, there is a lack of motivation and understanding about inclusion. In the video, Dan Habib stated that when kids are included there are increased rates of better communication skills, higher academic performance, larger social networks and fewer behaviour problems (Disabling Segregation, 2014). This is because the child with the disability is being included, making them feel like they belong and are valued within that space. This is something every human being deserves to feel. Each of us has feelings and emotions that should be considered. Everyone deserves to feel like they are respected, belong in their community and are treated like a human. Advocating for inclusion in the community is crucial for those who experience disabilities to succeed. This is especially important inside a classroom because this is where the majority of a child’s social learning will happen. Students need to be shown how to accept the differences that present themselves through their peers. We are all different by having different emotions and feelings, ways of thinking, abilities and disabilities, and likes and dislikes. Why should someone who may have a physical disability be treated less than others who have different personalities, abilities and disabilities, and thought processes? As I said earlier, we all are drastically different because no one is born the same. We are all humans and deserve respect, compassion and love. If students are not taught how to advocate and be an ally, there will be harm toward those who are not being included.
Advocating for those experiencing disabilities includes creating opportunities for them to succeed. Many people who experience disabilities often receive mistreatment as they are seen as unable to do the things others can do. The use of accessible equipment and determination from those around a person with a disability will assist with creating equal opportunities for those with disabilities. For example, Dan explained Samuel, his son, wanted to play baseball, therefore he reached out to the coach explaining Samuel’s disability and that he wanted to play baseball. The coach replied stating that if a child wants to play baseball, the child will play baseball. The coach made this opportunity possible through the use of accessible equipment and motivation. There is no reason why one should be excluded because of a disability because adaptations are always possible, you just need to put your brain to it. As mentioned in both videos about Samuel, think about if someone in your family had a disability: how would you want them to be treated? What would you do to make their dreams and aspirations become their reality? Inclusion begins with one person, but more opportunities and positive outcomes present themselves when everyone becomes involved.
Disabilities are a normal and natural part of life. As I said before, we are all human and we all experience our differences. Each person’s differences affect their daily life, but some differences affect one’s daily life significantly more than others. Though everyone has their differences, this does not mean they should be treated differently. Instead, everyone needs to work as a team to educate themselves and those around them to make a more inclusive community.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate the importance of inclusive education, and support your answer with what you have learned from the videos.
I would rate the importance of inclusive education as a 10. Every student must see themselves and feel valued throughout their classroom, especially those with disabilities. The use of accessible equipment inside the classroom will benefit those with disabilities, and also assist to provide inclusive education for other students in the learning space as well. It would be beneficial to educate students on various disabilities, work with those with disabilities and understand that they are also human. Students with disabilities are often treated differently by those who do not have a disability. In the Tedx Talk Dan asked the audience which two factors had more of an impact on their lives: the academic experience of school or the social and emotional experience of school. The majority stated the social and emotional experience of school was more important to them. When students go to school they learn how to socialize, make friends and communicate with those around them. If teachers do not break the bias students may have, the students with disabilities or differences may be bullied or struggle to make friends more than others. Inclusive education allows students to learn and accept differences among individuals. Inclusive education will help to provide those with disabilities and differences to make friends, increase social skills, and do better academically and in general life. It can change someone’s life.
