I have mentioned the Salamanca Statement many times in these blogs – and I keep returning to it – as it articulates everything that needs saying about Inclusion and Inclusive Education.
“The challenge confronting the inclusive school is that of developing a child centered pedagogy capable of successfully educating all children,including those who have serious disadvantages and disabilities. The merit of such schools is not only that they are capable of providing quality education to all children; their establishment is a crucial step in helping to change discriminatory attitudes, in creating welcoming communities and in developing an inclusive society. A change in social perspective is imperative. For far too long, the problems of people with disabilities have been compounded by a disabling society that has focussed upon their impairments rather than their potential.”
” A child- centered pedagogy can help to avoid the wate of resources and the shattering of hopes that is all too frequently a consequence of poor quality instruction and a “one size fits all” mentality towards education”
It gets better and better and better as you read it ……. if you would like to read a full copy of the ” Salamanca Statement and Framework For Action on Special Needs education – please email tommy@myspecialneeds.ie and we will email it back to you. It truly is profound, inspirational and something that must become a reality!
Tags: Inclusion, Inclusive Education, Special Needs, The Salamanca Statement
