Blog Assignment: Your Personal Research Journey

The topic I chose for simulation is inclusion. Inclusion is part of a much larger picture then just placement in the regular class within school. It is being included in life and participating using one's abilities in day to day activities as a member of the community. Inclusion is a state of being valued, respected and supported. It’s about focusing on the needs of every individual and ensuring the right conditions are in place for each person to achieve his or her full potential. Inclusion should be reflected in an organization’s culture, practices and relationships that are in place to support a diverse workforce. 

I chose this topic because I am disturbed by the fact that there are schools and centers that do not offer inclusion. My personal experience is that on many occasions I have heard comments about inclusion as if it is something we can choose or choose not to do. For example, I met a teacher at a training last month who stated that her center does not offer inclusion. The training was on inclusive practices. At her center they tell parents that they don’t have space available because they simply don’t want the responsibility or be bothered. It’s just too much work and too many headaches. Although many schools and districts have been educating students with disabilities in inclusive settings for years, families often still have to fight to get their children into general education classrooms and inclusive environments.

Denying a student access to inclusion is simply wrong. The law clearly states that a student with a disability may be removed from the regular education environment only when the nature or severity of the disability is such that education in regular classes with the use of supplementary aids and services cannot be achieved satisfactorily. If schools can successfully educate a student with disabilities in general education settings with peers who do not have disabilities, then the student's school must provide that experience.

A very important insight I have gained as a result of the research chart is that it provides a better understanding by answering important questions as well as providing new ways to view the process of finding answers. This is important because there are so many questions still to be asked and answered. It now seems to me that this process is unending. That means that we can continually get better and better.

I would appreciate any advice, insight, or suggestions my colleagues can offer regarding inclusion or with reference to this course. I am always open for suggestions to help me improve. In addition if you have any information or resources you can share I would greatly appreciate it.

References:

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. (1997).

Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 20 U.S.C. § 1412 [a] [5]

National Inclusion Project, (2014), Retrieved from http://www.inclusionproject.org/

Early Childhood Inclusion (2009), Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/DEC_NAEYC_EC_updatedKS.pdf