Disability and Education

A disability can be a physical or mental condition that limits a person's in some way. In education students whom exhibit these conditions are often put at a disadvantage. Areas such as behaviour disorders and learning, physical, hearing or vision impairment can hamper the progress of an individual student therefore they often require modified supports while partisipating in the education system. If we think of a disability it is generally defined as a condition which may restrict a student's mental, sensory, or mobility functions in undertaking or perform a task in the same way as a other student who does not have a disability.

Disabilities affect people in different ways. Non disabled students associate the disabled student with someone whom is unable to participate in class. Just because the student is in a wheelchair, or who is blind or deaf they should not be viewed as a hinderence. This is the negitive attitude. Non disabled students often view students with a disability in a totally different manner seeing the disability first and not the person and therefore they view the disabled student as needing to be treated differently. Unfortunately, this kind of stereotyping is in itself a form of discrimination. The only thing that separates a person with a disability is that, for one reason or another, they are unable to do certain things in the same way as a non disabled student can. It is often the case that a disabled student may require some form of adaptation or alteration to assist them to overcome the effect of their disability.

These could be through the regular classroom, with support of modified curriculum or additional human resources, placement in special classes within regular schools - which may be smaller in size, allowing for more individual attention. However, if the students impairment is significant, it may mean placement in special schools, again with smaller class groups and other modifications to meet the person's needs. In addition, other resources such as transport, building modifications, maybe required. Individual Education Plans and technology, designed to make learning as easy, enjoyable and effective as possible is critical. The preferred education system should be all inclusive approach wherever possible, taking into account the level of impairment involved, the special needs of an individual student and the needs of other students who may be affected must also be considered.

Disabled people are much more likely than the non-disabled to leave school without any qualifications. According to research by the Disability Rights Commission, disabled students are often faced with discrimination, some of which is extremely prejudiced and most of which is subtle stereotyping based around assumptions and expectations. Disabled students are often perceived as dependent and lacking the ability of their non-disabled peers.

Mainstreaming Equalities

Socail Model Approach
Disability Gov