Philosophy of

Inclusion

Grace Atlas
Inclusion
Personally, when I hear the word Inclusion I automatically think of the integration of students
with disabilities into classes with students without disabilities. Inclusion represents a belief that
students should not be separated based on their learning differences. Students with disabilities
who are immersed into general education classes are no longer singled out and have proven to do
better academically when they are challenged and surrounded by other students.

Inclusion is all about flexibility and necessary change, with the elimination of separate classes
and the integration of inclusion classes students are more likely to engage in their learning and
display a more positive attitude. The world is ever-evolving and with inclusion language,
education, and the overall outlook on disability is too. New concepts are constantly being
discovered and the world is slowly becoming a more equitable place. Moreover, inclusion is the
constant reassurance that change is necessary and no matter how good things seem you can only
go up from your present position.
Why is Inclusion Important as a Future Educator?
As a future educator and a future Inclusive Education teacher inclusion is extremely important. As times are
evolving and inclusion becomes more known as a staple of education in schools, it becomes more and more
important for a developing teacher to know about.

Inclusion is just one word that describes a whole world of change, which ranges from simply having students
with disabilities integrated into the general education classes to changing the whole language from a less
condescending manner to a more inclusive one. Inclusion classes are becoming more and more common
nowadays which means the knowledge of inclusion is becoming more and more important to developing
teachers. Without learning about inclusion we would not know how to properly prepare for an inclusion
class or how adjust the curriculum for a student with disabilities to ensure that they have a fair opportunity
to succeed. Inclusion in education does not promote unfairness among students but allows for each student
to have a fair opportunity to achieve the same greatness in a manner that promotes fairness. Without
inclusion there would be no progression in education.
Community Builders
A community builder can be described as an activity done with a group of people with the
intention of bringing people together to create a sense of community and comfort.

Community builders are similar to “Ice-breakers” in that they can break the tension and
uncertainty when a new class has come together. Every semester the students are new and not
everyone may know each other however, with the implementation of the community builder it
allows each student the opportunity to meet new people in a safe and comfortable setting while
participating in fun little activities that make it more of a game than an assigned project.
Community Builders are a way to share information about themselves to change their
“classmates” to “friends”.
Miller, A. (2020). Community Builder Assignment Description and Rubric [Class Handout]. Cortland, NY: SUNY Cortland, FSA212.
Importance of Community Builders
Community builders provide various ways to create a more comfortable and safe environment
in the classroom, these include; “helping people see their similarities, activate interest, create a
state of curiosity, anticipation, and/or acceptance, etc” (Miller, 2020).

Community builders are also important because they are designed to accommodate and support
students who learn differently. For example, one community builder that was facilitated in class
was where we were given a sheet with all the letters in sign language and we had to answer the
questions asked within our groups using sign language. Community builders are designed to
give students the opportunity to meet new people and perform new practices in a comfortable
manner. Moreover, the importance of community builders is to make each class a more
productive and welcoming environment.
Miller, A. (2020). Community Builder Assignment Description and Rubric [Class Handout]. Cortland, NY: SUNY Cortland, FSA212.
Equity as Opposed to Equality
In the argument of Equity and Equality many would believe that it is necessary for things to be equal for all
people so that everyone has an equal chance of succeeding, however, this is not always the case. Equality
represents sameness, where every individual receives the same treatment and amount of resources. But
equality is not always the first choice when deciding how to set up for an inclusion class because equality gives
every student an equal opportunity to succeed while equity gives each student just the right amount of
resources so that they can evenly compete with other students Equity has become a more popular practice
among these inclusion classes because it represents fairness, where every individual is given equal amounts of
the same thing but certain individuals receive more or less depending on their specific need.

Equity among students “levels the playing field”, giving students with disabilities an even opportunity to
perform academically and socially which in the end allows each student the equal opportunity to succeed.
With equity in classrooms students are thought of as individuals rather than as a whole class of students.
Each student learns based on their own learning abilities and basically learn using their own curriculum
because the lesson plans that they are taught using are tailored to their own specific need. This method of
teaching gives each students the best possible opportunity to succeed.
TED-Ed Student Talks. (2017, July 20). Is Equality Enough? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgQYfAo6umg.
Importance of the Distinction Between Equity and Equality
Knowing the difference between equity and equality is very important because although they seem similar
the changes each of them enforces are very different. Equity is important especially in inclusion classes
because it advocates for the student and states that each student deserves a fair choice to succeed just like the
other students.

Not every student is the same and each person requires different resources to ensure that they can perform at
their best. Therefore the enforcement of the same curriculum for all students is not fair at all, you cannot
treat everyone the same because not everyone is the same. Equity is, first deciding what current level of
education each student is and then modifying assignments and lessons to their current needs to allow for
them to have a fair opportunity to succeed. Giving each students an equitable opportunity to succeed will
result in a larger number of students doing well in school which will in term result and a better economic
and social society. This small change in school can make the biggest difference in the world because with this
enforcement of equity the societal norm is broken and shifted from sameness to fairness.
Welch, Ann. B. (2000). Responding to Student Concerns about Fairness. Teaching Exceptional Children, 33(2), 36-40.
https://bb.cortland.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_id=_1277298_1&course_id=_69213_1.
 Language
Words are one of the most powerful way of expression there is. When communicating about disabilities
and/or people with disabilities there is always the fear that the language we use is not politically correct and
may insult another on accident. For example, there are two types of language; Person First Language and
Identity First Language.
Person First Language Identity First language
With person first language it puts the person before Identity first language puts the disability before the
the disability and describes what a person has, as person which is almost opposite of person first
opposed to what the person is. Person first language. This type of language is not the preferred
language helps individualize each person and allow choice of language because it limits an individual's
them to be a person before the disability they have. identity because it only addresses the disability not the
For example, instead of saying “she’s autistic” say individual as a whole. However, some prefer this type
“she has autism” or instead of “he is disabled” say of language because they don’t take shame in their
“he has a disability” (Snow, 2009). disability they embrace it. A comparison to saying “an
Autistic person” is similar to saying “a Muslim
Snow, Kathie. (2009). A Few Words About Person First Language. Disability Is Natural. person” in both instances the diversity is embraced.
https://bb.cortland.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_i
d=_1207647_1&course_id=_69213_1
Importance of Language
The use of language and how we communicate is one of the most important things. And with the
knowledge of both person first person language and identity first language we know how to properly
communicate to each other whether the individual that you are speaking to has a disability or not. No
matter what language is so important because without proper communication change will never happen.

For example, it is so easy to automatically characterize a student with a negative phrase to describe their
actions, but if you take the time to put yourself in their shoes there are so many ways to “rethink” and
formulate a more positive alternative. Such as, instead of labeling a student hyperactive a teacher rethought
her original analysis of this student and characterized him as kinesthetic. The difference in these words may
not seem different but they make all the difference when an individual hears both of them. Hyperactive is
putting a negative connotation to an action that many would identify themselves as because there are many
ways to learn and movement is found to be very common.
Causton, J., Tracy-Bronson, C.P. (2015). The Educator’s Handbook for Inclusive School Practices. Chapter 4. Retrived from
https://bb.cortland.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_id=_1207679_1&course_id=_69213_1
 Importance of Language Cont.
Another aspect of language that is important is that it The use of the words “handicapped” “people
is always changing and evolving to be the most of all abilities” “different abilities” not only can be
effective and appropriate it can possibly be.For linked to special needs which is another word that
example, as times are changing so has the way to we are trying to move away from, but also it just
address those with disabilities as well. Instead of sounds condescending and patronizing. Overall
being called “retarded” or “special needs” the this debate over language and what to say may seem
preferred term is “disabled”. small but in relation to the feelings and well-being
In a recent article a woman named Meriah writes of those who have a disability this change means a
about the switch to the use of the word “disabled” change for the better.
and some reasons as to why this term is preferred.
For one, she states that in simple terms those who have a disability ask that they be addressed as disabled
simply because they prefer it. “Disabled people should control the conversation about their disabilities, and the
language used about them, not their parents,” everyone should have the ability to agree or disagree with the
terms they are characterized as, therefore, this statement is all the justification they need to ask someone not to
call them that .
Nichols, M. (2017). 3 Reasons To Say “Disability” Instead of “Special Needs”. Retrieved from https://www.meriahnichols.com/3-reasons-say-disability-instead-special-needs/
How do these Key Tenets Support Your Beliefs About
Education and Inclusion?
After learning and doing more research on all three of these key tenets I found that they supported my
beliefs greatly about education and inclusion. I believe that everyone has the opportunity and ability to
advocate for themselves and that is exactly what individuals with disabilities are doing by sticking up for their
pride by enforcing the change from “special needs’ to “disabled”. And with this statement in regards to the
tenets I chose it correlates directly to the philosophy of language.

I also am a strong believer that, if you are taught in an environment where you feel comfortable and safe your
chances of succeeding are a lot higher so the implementation of the community builders directly helps with
“breaking the ice” and making the class more of a family. Therefore, the key tenet, community builders,
definitely supports my belief that it is useful in education.
Work Cited
Causton, J., Tracy-Bronson, C.P. (2015). The Educator’s Handbook for Inclusive School Practices. Chapter 4. Retrived from
https://bb.cortland.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_id=_1207679_1&course_id=_69213_1

Miller, A. (2020). Community Builder Assignment Description and Rubric [Class Handout]. Cortland, NY: SUNY Cortland, FSA212.

Nichols, M. (2017). 3 Reasons To Say “Disability” Instead of “Special Needs”. Retrieved from
https://www.meriahnichols.com/3-reasons-say-disability-instead-special-needs/

TED-Ed Student Talks. (2017, July 20). Is Equality Enough? [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgQYfAo6umg.

Welch, Ann. B. (2000). Responding to Student Concerns about Fairness. Teaching Exceptional Children, 33(2), 36-40.
https://bb.cortland.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_id=_1277298_1&course_id=_69213_1.

Snow, Kathie. (2009). A Few Words About Person First Language. Disability Is Natural.
https://bb.cortland.edu/webapps/blackboard/execute/content/file?cmd=view&content_id=_1207647_1&course_id=_69213_1