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Inclusion

Inclusion is the act of engaging people with disabilities in all our daily activities - at school, at work, at home and in the community.People with disabilities are our nation's largest minority. More than 49 million men, women and children of all ages, races, ethnic backgrounds, economic levels and religious affiliations have some disability, according to the latest U.S. Census. People with disabilities have the same rights and abilities as others to pursue their lives fully.

Words reflect and mold attitudes and should be chosen with care. Understanding the importance of appropriate language is the first step toward recognizing that people with disabilities are, first and foremost, people who should not be defined by their disability. Adopt an inclusive attitude and use "people first" language. Recognize the person before the disability, such as "a man who uses a wheelchair," or "a girl who has cerebral palsy."

Federal regulations and policies are in place to govern inclusion of people with disabilities. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 protects individuals with disabilities from discrimination and provides for reasonable accommodations and accessibility. The Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires school districts to educate students with disabilities in regular classrooms, along with their peers without identified disabilities, in their local or neighborhood school to the maximum extent appropriate for each individual.   

Articles/Information:

Websites: 

Ability Awareness 
Circle of Inclusion 
Disability Resources 
Inclusion Daily Express 
Inclusion International 
Inclusion Network 
Inclusion Press 
Kids Together, Inc   
Parents for Inclusion 
The Inclusion Network 
Theatre of Inclusion 

Reproducible Educational Forms:

eLearning modules by KIT : 

Inclusion is Belonging 
Introduction to Inclusion