BARRIERS TO INCLUSION

"Inclusive Education is to

 include the excluded,

 care for the uncared
 reach the unreached"

The biggest barrier to inclusion is in not developing the right attitude and also lack of Knowledge. The
problem of the disabled people is not in their disability, but .in how society looks at them.

Society needs to look at the disabled not as disabled, but as DIFFERENTLY ABLED.

WHO IS DISABLED?

If you fail to see the person but only the disability, then who is blind?

If you cannot hear your brother's cry for justice, who is deaf?

If you do not communicate with your sister, but separate her from you,

Who is disabled?

If you do not stand up for the rights of all persons, who is the cripple?

Your attitude to-wards persons with disabilities may be the biggest handicap.

Some of the physical barriers at school are: climbing steps, uneven ground, and furniture randomly
placed or in wrong places may act as a barrier for orthopedically handicapped and the blind.
Architectural barriers may also exist in buildings. School managements should pay attention to these
and arrange to have classes in ground floor (for children with special needs) or make alternative
arrangement.

Lack of knowledge in handling special children also present a big barrier. There are more than 15
impairments and handling them needs training. But the first step is to get going with hands on
experience.

"WHERE THERE IS A WILL, THERE IS A WAY"

Self-identity
Now that all of you have chosen the world’s most noble profession, be aware of a few concepts and
goals, which makes your journey successful and enjoyable

Kindly understand that teachers must have the enthusiasm to be lifelong learners. Teachers need to
catch up with latest trends and techniques, combine that with your own needs at school and be always
successful. Nothing else can give you greater pleasure than molding young impressionable minds.
Remember that teaching is a license to be renewed every 3 years. Western countries have adopted this
strategy and we need to do it individually as well as collectively.

Upgrade yourself constantly by attending workshops, lectures and by reading relevant material.

Each student comes to the classroom with a different personality, different family culture and
background and different set of life experiences. Relate yourself well with every child and build a
rapport, always with a positive approach.

If you are handling primary classes, you are privileged, because most students do not forget their
primary school teachers. Therein lies your ' self identity'

Mainstreaming
Mainstreaming is a goal, a concept, a philosophy with the underlying principle of educating all children
with disabilities in regular schools. A synonym is integration. The current day term is "Inclusion" All the
terms, in this context mean, accessibility of education to all children along with other children. Physical
placement comes first, in regular classrooms.

WHY INTEGRATE?

1. To prepare for life in society, the real world, like we do for other children
1. To learn from others. Children learn from observation and motivation to imitate.
2. Their world slowly expands by mixing and playing with others, of their own age.
3. To have normal experiences, the vibrancy and excitement of regular schools.
4. To change attitudes, overcome prejudices, increase frequency of contact.
5. To make friends. The bonds of commonality can foster natural relationships.
6. To challenge "exclusions"(to fight societal prejudices)
7. Lastly, to teach democracy. The best way is to practice it.

The advantages are (from student point of view)

1. I am a person first and then I try to cope up with my disability.

2. I learn to communicate with others, learn to contribute in discussions and love to answer
teacher's questions.
3. I love to take risks , even though I am not capable, to the extent possible
4. I want the company of my friend and I love to talk to them as equals.
5. I know who I am and where I stand
6. I think big and we dream together.

The term 'Inclusion' is much broader than the mere placement of the child in the classroom. It
involves changes in not only the placement, teaching styles, but also in syllabus, curriculum, evaluation
methods and in general the whole environment.

Most importantly in ATTITUDE

Mere placement of the child in the classroom and not paying attention to her becomes 'exclusion'

Before academic inclusion, start with acceptance and social integration.

Dear Teacher, please accept our congratulations for having held the finger of the child and brought him
to the class. Always give a preferential seat to the disadvantaged child. Your attitude goes a long way in
you students accepting their peer and helping him.

Introduce the child to the class and make other students shake hands with him and seek their support in
all activities of the school.

Specify who should accompany the child and help him during Morning Prayer, assembly, lunch-break,
sports period, drawing period etc. These interactions, encounters and practices in co-operation adds self
respect and increases self esteem of not only the special child but also in hi peer group.

Peer group interaction and" peer tutoring" makes the job of the teacher smooth and increases her
efficiency of functioning.

The four citadels or pillars of successful handling of not only school students but also your own
biological children are

1. Love
2. Patience
3. Tolerance
4. Time (always spend quality time with children)

The above statement is a research finding.

In conclusion, let us remember that no society can march forward, leaving behind a section of its
population. All teachers do contribute for this progress.

"If mankind has to progress, he must take with him, unto the last, the blind, the deaf, the dumb, the
lame and the halt" - MAHATMA GANDHI.

"The destiny of India is being shaped in her class rooms" - Kothari commission