Disability
Issues
One of the biggest issues at school for students with disabilities is the frequency of harassment and bullying – especially name-calling, put-downs and exclusionary behaviour.
This discrimination often reflects, and is perpetuated by barriers such as exclusive teaching practices and a curriculum that do not address the needs of the young person with a disability.
In relating to people with a disability, it is crucial to focus on the person from the outset and not on the disability. The words we use influence our attitudes, therefore our language should be accurate and respect individuals with a disability.
Communities speak
"I'm deaf and my friends have told me that some
of my peers follow me making fun of me and the way that I speak. To help these
other students understand what it's like to be deaf my school has
introduced a Disability
Awareness Program for all new
students to the school where they experience
for
themselves what it is like to have a disability.
They are also learning
to sign so that
we can talk and laugh."
"I have recently had a temporary disability where
I was required to use a wheelchair. I found others speaking to me more slowly
or leaving me out of conversations. On one occasion at a social
function I was
provided with a plate of food without the
personfirst checking as to what
I might have wanted
to eat. My learning from this short time in a
wheelchair
would suggest that
there is a need to:
- identify whether the person requires your assistance before you provide it
- use a 'reality' check with the person before you assume you know what they are thinking
- assume the philosophy of treating people the way in which I would like to be treated."
Challenges
School communities need to provide a safe environment for all students, so they need to:
- identify that attitudes to disability are an integral part of whole school planning to address bullying, harassment and violence
- ensure that the ways in which we each relate with a person with a disability are accurate and reflect the individual with a disability
- provide curriculum strategies and resources that explore 'difference' and the valuing of diversity within classrooms, schools and the community.
Effective teaching strategies and reasonable modifications to the physical environment and the class program are key issues in ensuring inclusive practices and reducing bullying and harassment. When teachers make such adjustments, the student is more likely to be respected and valued by the peer group.
Resources
-
Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy Support Materials: Challenging Disability Discrimination
http://www.education.tas.gov.au/school/educators/health/
inclusive/antidiscrimination/disabilitydiscrimination
Department of Education Tasmania
Background information, resources and activities for school and college leaders, teachers, Learning Services and other members of school communitiesDesigned as workshop materials to address issues of beliefs, attitudes and discrimination. Provides background and history, definitions, quotes to stimulate discussion, sample student learning experiences and a list of resources.
-
Youth Challenge: Teaching Human Rights & Responsibilities
What about Doug's Rights?
http://www.hreoc.gov.au/education/youthchallenge/
unit2/index.html
Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) website (1994)An online story and activities to assist teachers and students look at disability discrimination in a high school, and in developing personal ways to respond broader issues of competing human rights. 'What about Doug's rights?' shows a potential real-life situation of disability discrimination at school. A DVD is also available to enrich activities.
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