Inclusive Education
Inclusive education asserts that all students should learn and coexist in the same classroom environment, helping students from different backgrounds build relationships with one another and creating high expectations for all students. Studies show a variety of benefits to inclusive classroom environments.
When all students learn together, students with disabilities report feeling less isolated and more engaged. They also are shown to have fewer absences from school and lower rates of referrals for misbehavior than when placed in special education. In terms of academic outcomes, students with disabilities have been shown to develop stronger math and literacy skills in inclusive classrooms.
A successful inclusive classroom depends on teachers creating Individual Education Plans (IEPs) that tailor their instruction and support to the individual students. For example, some students may benefit from having opportunities to move around during class or learn through interactive lesson plans. Therap helps teachers easily create IEPs and track the progress of their students to update their plans accordingly.
Deinstitutionalization and Community-Based Support
In many countries, Persons with Disabilities have been confined to long-term residential facilities with the idea that segregating them is the best way to provide care. However, these institutions discourage individuality and limit the sense of control that Persons with Disabilities have over their lives.
Deinstitutionalization is the gradual movement of residents to community-based housing, coupled with support services that offer personalized assistance and promote inclusion in the community. This fulfills the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities principle of “living independently and being included in the community.”
Deinstitutionalization is not an easy process and requires high quality data collection to make sure that the persons being relocated are properly included in their new communities. Without adequate data collection, it is too easy for them to go unaccounted for, which can potentially lead to tragic outcomes.
Partnership & Membership
