Inclusion is part of a much larger picture than 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 being a part of what everyone else is, being welcomed and embraced as a member who belongs It is being a part of what everyone else is, and being welcomed and embraced as a member who belongs. Inclusion can occur in schools, churches, playgrounds, work and in recreation.
—Kids Together, Inc.
Inclusion Basics
What is inclusion?
Visit Kids Together, which offers a wide range of materials on inclusion—its components, its benefits, rights to regular education, the role that assistive technology can play, and much more.
http://www.kidstogether.org/componentsofinclusion.htm
Are IDEA’s LRE provisions a mandate for inclusion?
Read Considering LRE in Placement Decisions and you’ll have your answer. (LRE stands for “least restrictive environment.”)
http://www.parentcenterhub.org/repository/placement-lre/
The issues and conflicts surrounding inclusion, terminology to know, what the law requires, court decisions, research, and recommendations.
From the Wisconsin Education Association Council.
http://weac.org/articles/specialedinc/
Inclusion, according to Wikipedia.
Wikipedia, as you probably know, usually tackles all aspects of a topic. This one’s no different.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inclusion_(education)
NEA’s policy supporting appropriate inclusion.
By official policy, the National Education Association supports “appropriate” inclusion of students with disabilities in regular classrooms. The policy, which was adopted by the NEA Representative Assembly in 1994, defines “appropriate” by spelling out specific characteristics such programs must have. Read the statement at:
http://www.nea.org/home/18673.htm
And here’s AFT’s policy statement.
AFT is the American Federation of Teachers.
http://www.aft.org/about/resolution_detail.cfm?articleid=178
Making Inclusion Happen
A Successful Formula for Middle School Inclusion.
A 2008 article from the Association for Middle Level Education (formerly the National Middle School Association).
http://www.amle.org/portals/0/pdf/rmle/rmle_vol32_no2.pdf
What about inclusion in athletics and afterschool activities?
This article of District Administration takes a look at the law when considering the inclusion of students in extracurricular activities and athletics. It answers the questions “Are students with disabilities entitled to participate in athletics and other afterschool activities? If so, what types of services and accommodations should school officials and coaches provide?”
http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1678
Adapting Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science Materials for the Inclusive Classroom.
http://www.ldonline.org/article/5629/