Inclusion
I love this quote from Sarah Greichen, the founder of "Score A Friend".
While inclusion generally has been in reference to those with learning differences/physical differences, it is wonderful to see that in the last few years the notion of inclusion being used increasingly diversely so as to encompass the broad range of individuals within our society. In this regard, I very much appreciate the Principles of Inclusive Education espoused by Alberta.
While we have come a long way from the days of special schools in a different part of town to a more inclusive practice where students are mainstreamed, we still have a long way to go. I am woefully aware of the difference working within various western national school systems (whereby there is legislation that mandates providing an appropriate education for all students) versus international schools which, by virtue of being private, can be more selective with regards to students they enrol.
In moving international schools forwards in this regard, it is wonderful to see the work of Next Frontier Inclusion (The NFI Practical Guide is a particularly relevant document). Ochan Kusuma-Powell's article Specialist Support Towards Inclusion (Page 12-13) and Managing Change: Towards Inclusion (page 14-17) [International School Leader, April 2018] as well as Better together: The inclusion agenda at international schools all illustrate initiatives in international schools. In the latter, Lucinda Willis “... argues that we must go further than simply adding-on siloed inclusion initiatives. “Putting inclusion at the heart of the school’s decision making is the most effective policy,” she says. “It’s not an add-on, it’s the basis for good educational practice.””
The above TES image illustrates some elements regarding inclusion.
Ian is a short film about playground inclusion and has, as reported on Respect Ability, won international acclaim. Respect Ability states “The film is wordless—a deliberate decision to make “Ian” inclusive of all people” and quotes Gastón Gorali, the writer, “We worked hard to make it as simple and honest as we could, so it could be understood by a preschool child, yet an adult could discover other layers of the story.”
As much as I dislike the phrasing of “International Day of Persons with disabilities”, I do very much like the intention of the UNICEF Malaysia video in as far as it focuses on not looking at how we are different, but rather to focus on what we have in common and to acknowledge that we are all special.
I invite you to reflect on your school setting and consider how inclusive you are and how you can move forwards to benefit all within your community?