What is Inclusion?

Inclusion refers to all students being educated together. Studies show that students with disabilities can greatly benefit from inclusion because it allows them to learn from their peers. In addition, everyone benefits when support and services are provided in a typical classroom setting (Heartland Community College, 2022).

Students with disabilities might need individualized support to benefit from learning opportunities. However, that does not mean they require different experiences or activities to learn (Heartland Community College, 2022). High quality education for all children requires coordinated efforts in general and special education, healthcare, mental health, and social services. Collaboration is the key to achieving high quality inclusive services (Heartland Community College, 2022).

Figure 1
Towards the Inclusion Classroom: Best Practice (Areadne, 2015)

Why is Inclusion Important in Education?

Here are some reasons why inclusion is important in education (Heartland Community College, 2022):

  • Students with disabilities attend the same school as their neighborhood friends.
  • Provides more opportunities to meet new people and build friendships.
  • Prepares students for adult life.
  • Maintains family structure.
    – Siblings can be educated together at the same school.
    – Parents do not have to commute between multiple schools.
  • Enriches learning environment.
    – Diverse teaching strategies for all students.
    – There are additional resources available to all students such as special educators and therapists.
    – Students with disabilities can learn from their peers who act as their role models. This can also help them develop from communication skills.

I remember when I was in elementary school, one of my neighborhood friends was not able to attend the same school as the rest of us because she had a disability. As a result, I believe inclusion is crucial in all schools, but especially in elementary schools. This is because it encourages children to develop a comfortable way to interact with students with disabilities and build friendships (Heartland Community School, 2022). It also allows children to have the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of people since a very young age.

Not only would going to the same school benefited us students, but also my friend. It would have allowed her to meet new students and feel connected with them rather then being separated in a different learning environment due to her disability.

References

Areadne. (2015). Towards the Inclusive Classroom: Best Practice [Illustration]. Areadne. https://www.areadne.eu/course/towards-the-inclusive-classroom-best-practice/

Heartland Community College. (2022). What is Inclusion? | Heartland Community College. Heartland. https://www.heartland.edu/heip/family/inclusion.html

Heartland Community College. (2022b). Why is Inclusion Important? | Heartland Community College. Heartland. https://www.heartland.edu/heip/family/inclusionimportance.html