The truth about special education | Suzanne Carrington | TEDxYouth@GrahamSt

Summary

The speaker, a former teacher and researcher, passionately advocates for inclusive education, sharing her experiences from various schools and the detrimental effects of segregation. She contrasts the life trajectories of children with disabilities in special versus inclusive schools, emphasizing the latter's benefits for both disabled and non-disabled students. The talk concludes with a call to action for a more inclusive society, urging listeners to reflect on their social circles and language use regarding people with disabilities.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Inclusive education is crucial for all students, including those with disabilities, to have the opportunity to learn together with their peers.
• 🏫 The speaker's experiences as a teacher and researcher highlight the importance of inclusive education and the negative impacts of segregation in special schools.
• 📚 Historically, students with disabilities were often separated from their peers and placed in special schools, which limited their life opportunities and social interactions.
• 🔗 Research indicates that special education can negatively affect a child's life trajectory, separating them from their communities and potentially reducing the quality of their education.
• 🌱 Positive changes in education, such as greater equity and support for diverse groups, raise the question of why children with disabilities are still often segregated in education.
• 🌐 There is a global shift towards more inclusive educational practices, with ministries of education working to support education for all students, including those with disabilities.
• 📈 Evidence shows that inclusive educational environments provide both short-term and long-term benefits for both students with and without disabilities.
• 🛤️ The choice between an inclusive school pathway and a special school pathway can significantly affect a student's future, with inclusive education leading to greater opportunities and a more fulfilling life.
• 👥 The speaker encourages reflection on social groups and the language used to describe people with disabilities, advocating for more inclusive language and social inclusion.
• 💪 The commitment to inclusive education is a collective effort that can lead to a more socially just and inclusive society.

Q & A

Why is it important for students with disabilities to have the opportunity to attend their local schools?

It is important for students with disabilities to attend local schools because it promotes inclusive education, which has been shown to provide short-term and long-term benefits for all students, including those with disabilities. It allows for social integration, better life opportunities, and a more socially just society.

What was the experience like for students at the special school in the small rural town in 1983?

In 1983, students at the special school in a small rural town were often from poor backgrounds and had various disabilities or learning difficulties. They were selected by local authorities and removed from their local regular schools, leading to social isolation, labeling, and negative impacts on their self-esteem and life opportunities.

How did the special school in North Queensland treat students with severe disabilities?

The special school in North Queensland treated students with severe disabilities by placing them in an institution, often separating them from their families. The students were sometimes kept in dehumanizing conditions, such as cages, and exhibited self-stimulatory behaviors due to anxiety, sadness, loneliness, and boredom.

What impact did the special school environment have on the students' lives in North Queensland?

The special school environment in North Queensland had a profound negative impact on students' lives, leading to social isolation, lack of family contact, and a diminished quality of life. The institutionalization contributed to their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional difficulties.

Why did the teacher take students to their houses for lunch in London?

The teacher took students to their houses for lunch in London to provide them with an experience of a real home environment, as the students mostly lived in high-rise apartments and rarely interacted with children without disabilities.

What was the situation of special education classrooms in Australian primary and secondary schools in 1990?

In 1990, special education classrooms in Australian primary and secondary schools were often located in separate areas, such as the back corners of school grounds, with physical barriers like fences and locked gates, which further segregated students with disabilities from their peers.

What message does the physical separation of special education classrooms send to the school community?

The physical separation of special education classrooms sends a message of exclusion and fear, suggesting that students with disabilities need to be controlled and are different or dangerous, which is a harmful and outdated belief.

What are the benefits of inclusive education environments according to the research evidence presented?

Inclusive education environments provide benefits such as improved learning success, social integration, engagement in supported work, living in the community, and having a greater choice and quality of life for both students with and without disabilities.

What is the difference between the inclusive school pathway and the special school pathway for a child with a disability?

The inclusive school pathway offers a child with a disability a chance for a more successful learning experience, social engagement, and a better life with more choices, while the special school pathway may lead to sheltered employment, group home living, isolation, and a limited choice of life.

How can individuals contribute to a more inclusive society in terms of education?

Individuals can contribute to a more inclusive society by inviting students with disabilities to join social groups, using appropriate and modern language to describe people with disabilities, and advocating for inclusive education practices in their communities.