Toward an Inclusive Canadian Society: Schools Are a Good Place to Start

Sam is a friendly, social boy who attends Grade 6 at his community school. He has the body of a 12-year-old, but because of a congenital brain disorder, his communication and cognitive level look more like a 1-year-old's. He occasionally produces a word or two that others understand. He loves anything musical, and often sings or makes "happy noises".  Because of the district's policy of inclusion, Sam spends a large part of his school day in the classroom with his Grade 6 peers.

One recent afternoon when Sam's class was lining up to head to the gymnasium, the yellow school bus happened to pull up just outside the window. Sam saw the bus and started to get excited. "Wheel, wheel!" he said.

Sam's Educational Assistant, who shadows him at all times, immediately guessed what Sam was trying to communicate. She said, "There's the bus. Maybe it reminds you of the 'Wheels on the Bus' song". Then, in the hubbub of the room, she quietly started to sing what she knew to be Sam's favourite song. He became even more excited, flapping his arms and bouncing on his feet.

Classmates' heads started to turn. They were accustomed to Sam's way of communicating, and quickly caught on to his enthusiasm. When they recognized the tune that the EA was singing, they started joining in. Before long, the whole class, including the female Grade 6 teacher, was singing, "The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round..." with great gusto. Sam looked like he had won the lottery.

Some question whether Sam really belongs in a class of Grade 6 students who are busy studying geography and anatomy while he sits at his desk putting together chains of plastic beads. But in moments like these, there's no doubt that inclusion can benefit everyone. Sam's presence in the class that day created a moment that enriched the experience of every child there.

The idea behind inclusion is that kids with all kind of abilities and disabilities can be welcomed and valued by their communities, and especially by children of the same age. Inclusion is practiced  throughout BC, although districts differ greatly in the degree to which they fund personnel who support classroom inclusion. According to the broad policy of inclusion, a child like Sam doesn't necessarily have to be physically in the classroom at all times, but he should have "meaningful participation" with others his own age.

Lou Brown of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, explains in an online comment why he sees inclusion as important in the public schools. "[Of] the millions of non-disabled students currently enrolled in schools... approximately 15% of them will become parents of children with disabilities. A larger proportion will have a friend, neighbor, or relative who is the parent of a child with a disability and many others will be paid to provide services to people with disabilities," he says. By this logic, inclusion is an important part of these kids' overall life education.

At the same time, some parents and teachers worry that having a child like Sam in the classroom will negatively affect the academic performance of the other kids. But according to recent research, these fears may be unfounded. A recent study by SFU's Centre for Education Research and Policy found that increasing the number of students with special needs in regular classrooms had a statistically insignificant effect on students' FSA (Foundation Skills Assessment) achievement.

Academics aside, some of Sam's classmates seem to benefit enormously from having the chance to interact with him on a daily basis. A few of his classmates, some of whom struggle academically, have really taken a liking to him. They have been shown how to speak to him respectfully and at his level, giving him high fives in the hallway and choosing to play catch with him during free time in gym class.

On the eve of of the Paralympic opening ceremony here in Vancouver, Canadians many begin to reflect on how inclusive we want our society to be. Everyone can benefit from an inclusive society. And schools are a good a place to start.

Note: Names of children have been changed