As a disabled child growing up in a rural area, I was not exposed to many disabled people. My classmates did not understand my differences, resulting in a very lonely time in school. My classmates were often not exposed to children or adults with disabilities, so there a socialization to promote inclusion.
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There are many reasons to provide opportunities for students with disabilities to learn and interact with their peers without disabilities. Integrating students can benefit both groups of students, their parents, teachers, and program administrators.
STUDENTS WITHOUT DISABILITIES
Students without disabilities progress in social cognition and develop a greater understanding and acceptance of students with disabilities and diversity as a whole as a result of experiencing inclusive programming. Students without disabilities also experience increased self-esteem and improved self-concept.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
When students with disabilities are educated with their peers without disabilities, they learn age-appropriate social skills by imitating
students without disabilities in the environments where they are needed. Integrated settingprovide a challenging environment for students with disabilities. Therefore, these students learn to be more independent and acquire developmentally advanced skills. Also, they may develop friendships and a more positive self-image by having the opportunity to do what other students do.
TEACHERS
Both general education and special education teachers can learn by teaching in integrated settings. General education teachers have the opportunity to learn about disabilities and special education. Special education teachers have frequent contact with normally developing students and, therefore, have more realistic expectations for the students they teach. Inaddition, both groups of teachers are able to exchange information about instructional activities and teaching strategies, thus expanding their skills.
FAMILIES OF STUDENTS WITH ANDWITHOUT DISABILITIES
When students attend integrated programs, parents of children with disabilities have the opportunity to see that many of their children’s behaviors are typical of most students. By seeing their children accepted by others and successful in integrated settings, parents may feel betterabout themselves and their children. Parents of
children with disabilities also have the chance to become acquainted with other parents and participate in the same activities. Providing positive experiences in integrated settings allows children without disabilities and
their parents to learn about disabilities and develop positive attitudes about people wit disabilities. Integration can expand and enhance the personal experiences of children, parents, and teachers.
ADMINISTRATORS
Educating students with and without disabilities together can facilitate major change and transformation of general education to better address the needs of all students. In addition, staff skills may improve through inservice and modeling opportunities. Everyone benefits from having increased classr and staff resources.
Families and IEP teams may be able to choose between a greater number of service delivery options for students with disabilities.
Inclusion Maximizes Individual Growth and Builds a Sense of Community
For students with disabilities, inclusion… For all students, inclusion…
For teachers,inclusion…For society, inclusion… affords a sense of belonging to the
diverse human family.
Inclusion provides a diverse stimulating environment in which to grow andp
evolves in feelingsof being a member of a diverse community enables
development of friendshipsprovides opportunities to develop neighborhood
and friends. Inclusion enhances self-respectprovides affirmations of
individuality, provides peer models.
provides opportunities to be educated, with same-age peers
providesopportunities toexperience diversity of society on a small scale in a
classroom.
develops anappreciation thateveryone hasuniquecharacteristics and abilities.
develops respect for others with diverse characteristics and sensitivity toward
others’ limitations develops feelings of empowerment an the ability to make a
difference.
increases abilities to help and teach all classmates.
develop empathetic skills
provides opportunities to vicariously put their
feet in anotherchild’s shoes.
enhances appreciation for the diversity of the
human family.
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