The First Step – Where We Stand Now

A physical disability does not automatically define a learning disability

We are at the threshold for the inclusion of children with a broader range of disability into mainstream education. However, there is no clear evidence of a systematic understanding of how this can be achieved. There is a very real need to begin to break down the barriers and effect a change in attitudes towards the needs of children with disabilities and their potential to learn within a supportive mainstream environment.

The discrimination towards the disabled in society is born not by the children in society but by the decision-makers. However, the understanding that is required to remove this discrimination can be learned, just as the prejudice that enables it to continue has been learned.

For this to be successful there needs to be a commitment of financial and human resources moving from the specialist segregated provision to a diverse inclusive educational system for the benefit of all.

For more information contact: krishna_birdy@yahoo.com