February is National Inclusive Education Month in Canada, a time for members of the Community Living movement and its many partners to promote and raise awareness about inclusive education.
“The fundamental principle of inclusive education is the valuing of diversity within the human community… When inclusive education is fully embraced, we abandon the idea that children have to become ‘normal’ in order to contribute to the world… We begin to look beyond typical ways of becoming valued members of the community, and in doing so, begin to realize the achievable goal of providing all children with an authentic sense of belonging.” Norman Kunc
“Inclusive education is central to achieving high quality education for all learners, including those with disabilities, and for the development of inclusive, peaceful and fair societies.” Guidelines on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
What is National Inclusive Education Month?
Do you know that 60% of children and youth with intellectual disabilities are denied the right to inclusive quality education?
National Inclusive Education Month is a time to:
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- Highlight inclusive education.
- Provide educators, students and parents an opportunity to share ideas on strategies to enhance inclusion and successful school experiences for every child.⠀
- Acknowledge and recognize the commitment and efforts of teachers, administrators, students and families who contribute to successful inclusion of students in schools and classrooms throughout Canada.
What is Inclusive Education?
Inclusive education means that all students attend and are welcomed by their neighbourhood schools in age-appropriate, regular classes and are supported to learn, contribute and participate in all aspects of the life of the school. Inclusive education is:
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- About how we develop and design our schools, classrooms, programs and activities so that all students learn and participate together.
- About ensuring access to quality education for all students by effectively meeting their diverse needs in a way that is responsive, accepting, respectful and supportive. Students participate in the education program in a common learning environment with support to diminish and remove barriers that may lead to exclusion.
- Carried out in a common learning environment; that is, an educational setting in which students from different backgrounds and with different abilities learn together in an inclusive environment.
Why is Inclusive Education Important?
Schools are mirrors of our communities and must be rich and robust places of opportunity in which students learn together.
Research shows us that all students learn better in inclusive classrooms. An inclusive education system teaches students the benefits of diversity, cooperation and consideration of others whereas separate programs create barriers to opportunities for children to learn from, support and develop relationships with one another.
Canada has made significant progress in making schools inclusive in the last few decades. Indeed, our country is seen as one of the most advanced in this effort. However, more work needs to be done, and that work starts with awareness.
