Childhood Disability, Advocacy, and Inclusion in the Caribbean
Childhood Disability, Advocacy, and Inclusion in the Caribbean

Author: Beth Harry

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2019-10-04

Total Pages: 302

ISBN-13: 303023858X

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This book presents an ethnographic case study of the personal motivations, advocacy, and activation of social capital needed to create and sustain the Immortelle Children’s Centre, a private school that has served children with disabilities in Trinidad/Tobago for four decades. Based on narratives by parents from the 1980’s, current parents, teachers, community advocates, and the author, who was the founder of Immortelle in 1978, the study views the school within the context of a nation standing in a liminal space between developed and developing societies. It argues that the attainment of equity for children with disabilities will require an agenda that includes a legal mandate for education of all children, increased public funding for education, health and therapeutic services, and an on-going public awareness campaign. Relating this study to the global debate on inclusion, the author shows how the implementation of this agenda would have to be adapted to the social, cultural, and economic realities of the society.

Inclusive Sustainability
Inclusive Sustainability

Author: Ottavio Quirico

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2022-05-04

Total Pages: 312

ISBN-13: 981190782X

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In light of the third-generation concept of ‘inclusive sustainability’, the volume explores the architecture of global disability governance and its degree of harmonisation. The book integrates socio-cultural, economic, political and legal analyses from an international and comparative perspective. The first part of the volume outlines a tripartite systematisation of disability rights for States and non-state persons. In light of essential economic considerations, the second part explores the relationship between disability and specific fundamental rights and regimes, particularly the rights to life, health, education, work and participation. The third part takes an institutional approach and focuses on the way in which the UN and regional organisations regulate disability (rectius, different ability).

Development, Education and Learning Disability in India
Development, Education and Learning Disability in India

Author: Maya Kalyanpur

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2021-12-13

Total Pages: 235

ISBN-13: 3030839893

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This book uses qualitative research methods to examine why students in an Indian context are being identified as having learning disabilities on criteria that are largely drawn from the context of the Global North. It explores the push towards English language instruction as a possible factor that affects poor academic outcomes for students from low-income backgrounds who may be first-generation learners or English language learners. The book contrasts the different outcomes and supports for academically struggling students across low-income and middle-income backgrounds, with evidence to suggest that, despite the inclusionary principles of Education For All, this label is creating a marginalized group of students.

Meeting Families Where They Are
Meeting Families Where They Are

Author: Beth Harry

Publisher: Teachers College Press

Published: 2020

Total Pages: 193

ISBN-13: 0807778540

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This book presents an in-depth discussion of how human disability and parental advocacy have been constructed in American society, including recommendations for a more authentically inclusive vision of parental advocacy. The authors provide a cultural–historical view of the conflation of racism, classism, and ableism that have left a deeply entrenched stigma—one that positions children with disabilities and children of color as less valuable than others. To redress these inequities, the authors offer a working model of co-constructed advocacy designed to benefit all families. Because advocacy is not a “one size fits all” endeavor, the authors propose meeting families where they are and learning their strengths and needs, while preparing and repositioning families to empower themselves. “The authors intend to challenge us and they do. They engage us in a secular liberation ethic. That is why this book is important.” —Rud Turnbull, distinguished professor emeritus, University of Kansas “Of value to educators, doctors, parents, and parent advocates, this text purposefully centers the experiences of parents of color who have children with disabilities.” —David. J. Connor, professor emeritus, City University of New York “An enlightening and stimulating read for those committed to better understanding the complexity of the plight of parents of color as they attempt to advocate for the educational needs of their child with a disability.” —Wanda J. Blanchett, dean, Rutgers University, Graduate School of Education

Why Are So Many Students of Color in Special Education?
Why Are So Many Students of Color in Special Education?

Author: Beth Harry

Publisher: Teachers College Press

Published: 2022

Total Pages: 183

ISBN-13: 0807781215

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Bringing to life the voices of children, families, and school personnel, this bestseller describes in detail the school climates and social processes that place many children of color at risk of being assigned inappropriate disability labels. Now in its third edition, this powerful ethnographic study examines the placement of Black and Hispanic students in the subjectively determined, high-incidence disability categories of special education. The authors present compelling narratives representing the range of experiences faced by culturally and linguistically diverse students who fall under the liminal shadow of perceived disability. This edition updates the literature on disproportionality, highlighting the deeply embedded and systemic nature of this decades-old pattern in which reforms represent mere shifts across disability categories, while disproportionality remains. Applying lenses of cultural-historical and critical disability theories, this edition expands on the authors’ previous theoretical insights with updated recommendations for improving educational practice, teacher training, and policy renewal. Book Features: A unique examination of the school-based contributors to disproportionality based on research conducted in a large, culturally diverse school district.Holistic views of the referral and placement process detailing students’ trajectories across 4 years from initial instruction to referral, evaluation, and placement in special education.An update on the patterns and literature related to disproportionality.Analysis of the cultural-historical nature of disproportionality and the socially constructed nature of the high-incidence disability categories.Recommendations for changing the conceptualization of children’s learning difficulties, moving away from the presumption of children’s intrinsic deficits toward evaluations based on human variation.

Responding to Learner Diversity and Learning Difficulties
Responding to Learner Diversity and Learning Difficulties

Author: Dennis Conrad

Publisher: IAP

Published: 2018-10-01

Total Pages: 462

ISBN-13: 1641133341

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Caribbean Discourse in Inclusive Education Volume II “Responding to Learner Diversity and Learner Difficulties” shares selected critical reflections and recommendations on the way educational communities respond to student diversity and difficulties learning. These contexts include the Caribbean, the Diaspora, and beyond. Authors explore issues and strategies for realizing and sustaining the agenda of education for all within primarily, but not limited to, the Caribbean. While the authors are aware of the ongoing debate between the terms ‘education for all’ and ‘inclusive education’, we use these terms interchangeably. We hold the position that inclusive education is about commitment to removing barriers to optimum learning for all learners regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, gender, geography, race, religion, sexual orientation or other differences. ‘Responding to Learner Diversity and Difficulties’ extend the discourse to include stakeholders committed to sharing their experiences and strategies for overcoming barriers to inclusive education. This second volume presents research that examines how teachers can respond to students with disabilities and difficulties learning, teach challenging curriculum content in mathematics and literacy, build citizenship through student voice, improve teacher practice via co-teaching and critical reflection, promote inclusive practice through leadership and advocacy. It can be used as a core text or companion reader for students at the undergraduate and graduate levels, lecturers, practitioners, researchers and policy makers.

Inclusion Matters
Inclusion Matters

Author: World Bank

Publisher: World Bank Publications

Published: 2013-11-26

Total Pages: 301

ISBN-13: 1464800111

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Social inclusion is on the agenda of governments, policymakers, and nonstate actors around the world. Underpinning this concern is the realization that despite progress on poverty reduction, some people continue to feel left out. This report aims to unpack the concept of social inclusion and understand better how policies can be designed to further inclusion. First, the report offers a definition of social inclusion as the "process of improving the terms for individuals and groups to take part in society." It unpacks different domains of society that excluded groups and individuals are at particular risk of being left out of -- markets, services, and spaces. Second, the report discusses the most important global mega-trends such as migration, climate chnage, and aging of societies, which will impact challenges and opportunities for inclusion. Finally, it argues that despite these challenges, change towards inclusion is possible and offers examples of inclusionary policies.

Achieving Inclusive Education in the Caribbean and Beyond
Achieving Inclusive Education in the Caribbean and Beyond

Author: Stacey N. J. Blackman

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-05-28

Total Pages: 297

ISBN-13: 3030157695

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This book offers an international perspective of philosophical, conceptual and praxis-oriented issues that impinge on achieving education for all students. It sheds light on the historical, systemic, structural, organizational, and attitudinal barriers that continue to be antithetical to the philosophy and practice of inclusive education within the Caribbean. The first section of the book examines how globalized views of inclusion informed by philosophical ideas from the North have influenced and continue to influence the equity in education agenda in the region. The second section considers how exclusion and marginalization still occur across selected Caribbean islands. It provides both quantitative and qualitative data about the nature and experience of exclusion in selected Caribbean islands, the UK and USA. The third section tackles the practical realities of transforming education systems in the Caribbean for inclusion. In particular, it identifies teacher practices as the main site of interrogation that needs to be tackled if inclusion is to be successful. The fourth and final section examines the contribution of principals and exemplars to the development and advocacy for inclusive education. It discusses how educational leadership is understood, as well as the role of school principals in making inclusion a reality in schools, the challenges experienced and the qualities of education leaders.

Child Advocacy and Early Childhood Education Policies in the Caribbean
Child Advocacy and Early Childhood Education Policies in the Caribbean

Author: Ilene R. Berson

Publisher: IAP

Published: 2015-10-01

Total Pages: 246

ISBN-13: 1681232561

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This volume explores early childhood education policies and practices in the Caribbean. Early childhood development has gained increasing importance as part of national agendas to achieve social and economic goals. Regional guidelines and action plans have been developed, but progress across nations varies. Chapters in the book analyze child policies and issues, critically examine progress on alignment between policies and practices, and propose recommendations for advocacy and implementation that may advance the early childhood development agenda throughout the Caribbean. The book includes the perspectives of early childhood practitioners, policymakers, caregivers, representatives from family agencies as well as other key stakeholders in the education of young children. Across these diverse viewpoints is a shared commitment to children’s well being and the necessity of an integrated response that captures the challenges and opportunities of early childhood development services and initiatives that are framed based on contextual relevance and cultural appropriateness. Part One includes chapters that advocate for national policies throughout the Caribbean to support young children. Chapters in Part Two call for quality early childhood programming that is based on the tenets of developmentally appropriate practice. Part Three considers the pedagogical dilemmas that arise in math and literacy when schools negate purposeful and engaging early childhood curriculum. Part Four presents various perspectives on child protection and the necessary infrastructure of policies and practices to ensure cognitive, social, and physical development of young children in the Caribbean. This important resource promotes critical discourse on the current status of children and efforts that have been developed to effectively advocate for the rights of the young.

Caribbean Student Voices and Educational Inclusion
Caribbean Student Voices and Educational Inclusion

Author: Stacey Blackman

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2022-04-21

Total Pages: 166

ISBN-13: 1000579816

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Foregrounding the perspectives of students from Barbados and St. Vincent, this book offers valuable insight into the implementation and effectiveness of international policies designed to improve educational inclusion in the Caribbean. Drawing on pupil participatory research conducted with adolescents in disadvantaged and high-achieving schools, the text reveals differences in how international policies are reflected in schools, highlighting the role of student and school leadership, community building in and outside of schools, and transformative teacher pedagogy in achieving educational equity. Situating pupil participation and student consultation in its theoretical and policy context in the Caribbean, the author examines the findings on educational inclusion and their implications for policy development in order to propose a new model to boost pupil consultation and increase academic inclusion and engagement. Juxtaposing students’ voices from a variety of socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic backgrounds, Caribbean Student Voices and Educational Inclusion is a great companion reader for educators, policymakers, and researchers undertaking work on inclusive education in developed and developing nations.