Tag: inclusion

The focus of today’s inputs was Inclusion and Equality with a particular ‘focus on disability’. The lecture was rather insightful and enabled me to reflective on how equal our society really is.  I was able to build upon what I learnt from last week’s lecture specifically the Equality Act 2010 and how this legislation can aid those with disabilities, however this act can be at times complex as it is not air type and is opened to opinions and views. Similarly, to the Equality Act there is Addition Support Needs Act 2004/2009, which is a much wider term and supports a broader range of needs- emotional, physically, behavioural, social and mental.

The aspect of the lecture I considered most penetrative was the disability right movements as it was not until the 1950’s that people with disabilities started to gain access and independence to services, however still encountered inequality whether it was at work or outside the work place.  I learnt the importance of disability can be reduced or eliminated by changing society, even by making slight changes. What was striking for myself was attitudes in past years and limited changes being made for people who have impairments, only recent years have attitudes changed and thankfully our society is increasingly becoming more diverse, and more citizens with impairments are going beyond their impairments and contribute their skills, gifts and strengths to the wider society. It Is therefore pivotal as a student teacher/ perspective teacher to engage with diversity and adapt the classroom to the needs of pupils but also discuss with pupils regarding the importance of diversity and importance of anti-discrimination in our society.

Today was the first time that have heard of the term ‘Universal Design’, this alludes to the designing of buildings that considers everyone and can be used by anyone regardless of their needs. Most significantly stairs being replaced by ramps. This term highlights that diversity is normal.

Likewise, today I was able to advance my knowledge regarding key scholars: Mel Ainscow, Lani Florian,   Nancy Fraser,  John Rawls

Scholar John Rawls theory stood, he wrote a book about social justice which looked at the equality of those less advantaged in order to serve everyone well. He created a structure and activities that is suitable for all. He also raised the issue that decision makers should consider everyone in society and not just showing interest in individual by human diversity as a whole.  

I thoroughly enjoyed today’s input which was based on inclusion and equality. Before today I considered myself to have a good understanding of the words inclusion and equality, however the lecture exemplified that there is a more significant in-depth definition behind inclusion and equality, and the impacts of these words on not just individuals, but society as a whole too.

Today I learnt that the term ‘inclusion’ is the state of being included within society. Inclusion involves many policies and practises that pillars diversity, opportunity to share opinions and make our own choices, connections with culture and legitimisation.  I was able to gain a deeper understanding of these key words in particularly diversity which in society comprises and involves communities, being enriched with different cultures, nationalities and religion. It important to bear in mind that we are not the same, we all develop through varying experiences, we are all unique and we all contribute something different to our community and world. Also within the term inclusion it is fundamental that individual abilities are always considered and ensuring that there are flexibilities to support everyone’s individual needs in a varying of contexts. Hence, inclusion is paramount for me as a student teacher/ perspective teacher to ensure that the classroom environment is adapted to suit and involve every pupil regardless of their individual needs and abilities.

The second key term introduced today was ’equality’ which is the affirm of being equal in status, rights, fairness and opportunities. Equality is again based around involvement and adapting, but rooted upon inclusion being consistent throughout society. I learnt that equality can be treated as fairness governing so that groups and individuals are not treated unjustly and that their views are not shunned away from society and fully included in general society.

During the independent study, I decided to research Penny McIntosh privilege concept. McIntosh wrote an academic paper based upon equality among the “White Privilege and Male Privilege”, her finding where no matter gender, religion, orientations or race everyone is entitled to same and rightness opportunities, moreover everyone within society should be able to participate in the same activities without being discriminate because of the same factors above.

As a student teacher/ perspective teacher it is vitally important to demonstrate to pupils that we are all equal but unique, we all contribute something different to the world whether it is skills, abilities or culture, emphasising to pupils that we must respect and include each other regardless of gender, religion and race.

Today really did enlightened me to ‘equality and inclusion’ and I look forward to learn more about this insightful topic in next week inputs.

References

Mcintosh, Penny (1988). White Privilege and Male Privilege. Available at: http://www.collegeart.org/pdf/diversity/white-privilege-and-male-privilege.pdf (Accessed: 30 January 2017).