How I Learned to Love Inclusion

I get angry sometimes. I get angry at our system. I get angry that we must fight for our children to be included. Fight for something that is their right, to be part of society.  I get angry that at age 3, my son has been segregated. I get angry that something as easy as going to school isn't. I get angry because some people don't think our kids are ‘good enough’ because they have a disability.

There are a few articles, books, and films that helped me when we first started our journey.

After I had my son, my views changed even more. After he started school, I was even more sure that inclusion was the right way. I’ve learned so much over the years. It's a never-ending process of growing and learning.

Here are some materials that helped me:

Why Inclusion Begins in Kindergarten...Or Doesn't by Charlene Comstock-Galagan. Charlene is a Texan who has worked on inclusive practices for many years.

Outing the Prejudice: Making the Least Dangerous Assumption. This article talks about assuming that people with disabilities can achieve a goal rather than assuming they can not. Assuming people are capable rather than they are not.

Out of My Mind by Susan Draper is a fictional book written for middle school-aged children. Although it is an easy-to-read fictional book, it is very powerful. The girl in the story has cerebral palsy. She uses a wheelchair and is non-verbal. She knows and understands the world around her. But since she can’t talk, no one believes she can learn.

Including Samuel is a documentary by Dan Habib which I watched when my son was a little over 2 years old. It changed my life. Dan Habib has a son with cerebral palsy. The film records their story and 4 other families and their experiences with inclusion.

Find more information about inclusion here.