Inclusion Statement

Inclusive means disabled, non-disabled and educationally/socially disadvantaged people working together in provisions with appropriate networks of support.

Inclusion means enabling pupils to participate in the life and work of mainstream groups to the best of their abilities, whatever their needs.

Disabled young people have an equal right to membership of the same group as everybody else. They do not need to be separated or protected. Segregation restricts this right and the opportunity for self fulfilment.

According to the social model of disability barriers to participation come from the environment or from the nature of the setting itself i.e. if a wheelchair user is faced with a step at the front of a building it is the step that has disabled the person by preventing them from accessing the building freely.

By building an inclusive society we are creating a community far more accepting of each others differences. Segregation encourages stereotypes and discrimination. We are all unique in our differences and we all share common ground. Inclusion helps us to learn about our individuality and expels the fear we have about people different to ourselves.

It is most important to teach young people how to work alongside each other. Children learn through observation and imitation. They will pick up on an adults fear before they can understand what it is that they are frightened of by which time it is a given that that thing is not ok and could harm us. This is how discrimination is passed on from generation to generation.