On the Road to Disability-Inclusive Education in India: Using an Economic Development Lens
Source/Credit: Aarthy Madanagopal, Program Manager, Global Division, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Washington DC
India has 4.9 million children with disabilities within the ages of 6-17 years old. At the most typical extreme, most of them lack any education at all; at the least, those children are compelled to quit school due to the challenges from supply side-the limited pedagogy system, non-inclusive policies, and limited financial resources. Denying educational opportunities to persons with disabilities puts them at a grave disadvantage by depriving them of their fundamental rights and their existence in society, in addition to significant losses to their communities and societies. This need not be the case, since Article 46 of the Indian Constitution empowers state governments to make special laws to protect the socially and economically disadvantaged population from social injustice and exploitation – although this policy does not include persons with disabilities as a named category.
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Parliament passes Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill
Source/Credit: The Hindu
The Lok Sabha, on Friday, December 16, 2016, passed the Disabilities Bill stipulating a jail term of up to two years and a maximum fine of Rs. 5 lakh for discriminating against differently-abled persons.
The bill, which aims at securing and enhancing the rights and entitlements of disabled persons, also gives effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and related matters. In the bill, disability has been defined based on an evolving and dynamic concept and the types of disabilities have been increased from existing seven to 21.
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Salient Features of the Bill >
The value of inclusive education
Source/Credit: Open Society Foundations
Around the world, children are excluded from schools where they belong because of disability, race, language, religion, gender, and poverty.
But every child has the right to be supported by their parents and community to grow, learn, and develop in the early years, and, upon reaching school age, to go to school and be welcomed and included by teachers and peers alike. When all children, regardless of their differences, are educated together, everyone benefits—this is the cornerstone of inclusive education.
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"Inclusion really does make us all better": Tips & success stories from Beth Foraker
Source/Credit: Brookes Publishing Co.
Beth Foraker of the National Catholic Board on Full Inclusion answers a few questions about successful inclusion. She also shares two wonderful, personal success stories—one of them featuring her own son, Patrick. Read on to learn from one of the most passionate and knowledgeable inclusion advocates in the online community!
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