Narrowing the Breach: Can Disability Culture and Full Educational Inclusion Be Reconciled?

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Issue Date
2002Author
Hall, Jean P.
Publisher
Journal of Disability Policy Studies
Type
Article
Article Version
Scholarly/refereed, publisher version
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Because of the long history of exclusion of people with disabilities, total inclusion in the educational
environment has many outspoken proponents. People and organizations favoring inclusion, however, are overlooking the value of the disability culture that is fostered when children with disabilities have the opportunity to associate with and learn alongside other individuals who share similar identities and life experiences.The history of the disability rights movement clearly illustrates that major changes do not occur unless people with disabilities band together to address shared injustices (e.g., Shapiro, 1993). The phenomenon of a disability culture has been convincingly demonstrated by many researchers and writers, and its importance to the development and self-esteem of students with disabilities is discussed. Although the current special education system has many negative aspects, changes
to the existing system rather than a movement to full inclusion will be more effective in supporting
disability culture and, ultimately, the needs of children with disabilities.
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Citation
Hall, Jean, P. (2002). Narrowing the breach: Can disability culture and full educational inclusion be reconciled? Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 13(3), 144-152
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