Inclusion is not a bad word
Aaron DeVries
2x TEDx Speaker | Guiding Families Through the Special Education Maze, so They Can Focus Their Time and Energy on Supporting Their Child | Inclusion Champion | IEP Consulting
Last week I talked about "Loving Thy Neighbor" because it is the right thing to do
Inclusion is part of what I think it means to "Love Thy Neighbor."
How can I "Love Thy Neighbor" if I am not including them in my world?
My journey with inclusion started when I visited my daughter at school when she was in kindergarten and saw her classmates folding towels.
I asked myself "Why are they already folding towels instead of being in class with their peers learning math and reading?"
Why had someone already made the decision that they were not going to be able to learn?
Why had they already been limited in what jobs they could have when they are older?
I learned about inclusion and from that time at every school meeting for my daughter we fought for her to be fully included with her classmates learning with them.
It was about her having the same opportunity to learn as they did.
She received more help and supports than most of the other students because she needed them to have the best chance of learning.
Let me pause here...I believe that every child should get the supports and services they need in school to be successful regardless of if they receive special education services or not.
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Every child deserves to receive the supports they need to be successful
I have had to carry my daughter up onto a stage so she could sing with her choir because the stage was not accessible. If there had been a ramp all of the students would have been able to get onto the stage to perform not only my daughter.
I have had to argue with her principal that she could enter the school through the main door as her classmates even though the principal thought it was not safe. When we go to Walmart there is only one door for everyone to enter and she can safely get in and out of the store.
Inclusion is about the golden rule "Treat others how you want to be treated."
I am focusing on my energy today on what I can do to make the world more inclusive.
And what I mean by "world" is everything I come in contact with today.
What are you going to do today to make the world more inclusive??
Inclusion starts with "I", I choose to include you!!
Now semi-retired, writing poetry and volunteering but continuing to present virtual workshops. I have also recently been appointed as a Commissioner on the Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth and Families.
1 个月One of my more than 30 workshop topics is: We All Belong An overview of why the inclusion of children with disabilities into mainstream programs benefits all, when done with support, caring, kindness and compassion. Let's learn more about the laws that support inclusion and hear from participants about their experiences with inclusion into the community.?
Solopreneurs don’t lack ideas—they lack time. Get the FUN and support YOU need to build the business and life YOU love.
1 个月For me, it's about fostering spaces where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported—because real progress starts with community and accountability.