Sunday, September 20, 2009

Creature Discomforts

UK ads about disability and attitude: http://www.creaturediscomforts.org/play/?v=9
Does this help to change attitudes?

Changing attitudes about inclusion

Sometimes talking about including students with significant disabilities in general education is like talking politics or religion. No one wants to appear to be "exclusive" or negative or mean. Belief systems of educators based on a tradition where students are successful after being sent to "programs" for specific disabilities may cloud the vision for inclusion - and close the mind to trying a different way.

If we look at this in a behavioral manner: attitudes have been formed by fear of (or direct experience with) negative consequences for inclusion and a lack of belief in (or no direct experience with) positive consequences for educating students with significant disabilities in general education academic classes. Educators may have seen students fail or be bullied; teachers may be frustrated and don't see the value of inclusion. The only way to change attitudes is with new experiences: providing positive consequences such as academic progress and friends for the student, happy parents, and teachers who feel successful.

How to do this? If change agents are going to actually bring about this change, talking alone is insufficient. Positive outcomes through experience is necessary, or at least a belief that there will be positive outcomes. This means we need to establish a relationship in which educators' fears are heard, motivations are discovered, and the practical barriers identified. We need to LISTEN. If we want to educate others about inclusion and promote change; we must listen before we speak.

Videos by Norman Kunc

Videos by Norman Kunc remind us of the importance of community inclusion!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2OxpzPybT4
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wunHDfZFxXw