Task 12 – To critically evaluate a journal article containing information about SEN or disability knowledge.
Task 12 – To critically evaluate a journal article containing information about SEN or disability knowledge.
Reflections on inclusion: How far have we come since Warnock and Salamanca? Laura Conner, University of East London
Inclusion has had a review through the SEND Code of Practice although it is still a lively debate. This paper looks at the different ideas of inclusion and reality. Focusing on the Warnock Report and the Salamanca Statement, there has been a change in the way society views inclusion. Laura Connors talks about the language she uses in her studies to describe people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) to be inclusive of what people prefer – Identity-first and person-first language.
The paper looks at the medical model and the social model and how they are changing as are peoples perspectives on inclusion. The medical model describes how the individual needs to fit in with society and the social model explains how barriers to participation should be eliminated. Looking at societies in mid-1800, the medical model was being used by having institutes for most people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Although we no longer practice this, special schools were introduced which was the start of inclusive practice. We still use the medical model to examine and assess people with SEND in order to label them. Labels are what is needed in today’s society for funding, which is not ideal. Some view inclusion as children with SEND to be taught in mainstream schools alongside their peers, but some argue this is integration, as it is simply moving the student. Overall this is a very interesting debate on inclusion and I am now aware of many views and perspectives from reading this paper.
