06/07/2023
Labels like "segregated", "integrated" and "inclusive" are increasingly being seen as unhelpful, superficial and inappropriate according to this important and comprehensive report from the University of Melbourne which was commissioned the Disability Royal Commission.
What we should be talking about, measuring and celebrating is any setting - for work or school or living - that provides belonging, real social inclusion and connectedness.
I do hope when we see the final DRC report that this report by an esteemed panel of experts is heard loudly especially for people with an intellectual disability because one size never fits all.
I urge anyone interested in disability inclusion and especially what the research ( not ideology) really says about special schools to read this report.
"In exploring the policy and practice directions needed for people with disability to live in an inclusive society that supports their independence and rights to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, there is a need to move beyond simplistic notions of physical location or dichotomies of inclusion vs segregation.
Multi-dimensional typologies provide more useful frameworks that could be applied across policy and practice developments and address issues of physical access and presence in the community, social connectedness and the deep experience of psychological inclusion. "
The University of Melbourne
