How to make education inclusive for students with disabilities: Youth perspectives

Perspectives from GPE youth leaders on inclusive education and what actions world leaders need to take to improve the education of students with disabilities.

November 28, 2023 by GPE Secretariat

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6 minutes read

Shakuntala Badi is 13 years old and studies in Class 5B at Adarsha Saula Yubak Higher Secondary School, Bhainsipati. She is the only blind student in her class. Credit: GPE/NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati — Shakuntala Badi is 13 years old and studies in Class 5B at Adarsha Saula Yubak Higher Secondary School, Bhainsipati. She is the only blind student in her class.

Credit: GPE/NayanTara Gurung Kakshapati

Nir Shrestha, Nepal

An inclusive development enthusiast and a youth with disability rights campaigner, Nir has been advocating for disability rights, particularly inclusive and quality education for children with disabilities, and has worked as a consultant on several inclusive education projects.

Maria José, Guatemala

An advocate for guaranteed human rights for people with disabilities, Maria is also part of the UNDP youth advisory group in Guatemala. She is a core supporter of Miss Wheelchair Guatemala and believes in sport as a tool to create a better world.

Amara Aguilar, Honduras

An activist for women’s rights and people with disabilities in Honduras with Foro Dakar Honduras and FENAPAPEDISH, Amara co-founded Colectiva Mariposa 88 HN, an NGO for women with disabilities and their families. She is passionate about education.

What specific theme in inclusive education for young people with disabilities matters to you the most and why is it important? And what are the challenges?

“The imperative of expanding access to inclusive education for young people with disabilities cannot be overstated. To materialize the concept of inclusive education, it is paramount to ensure an accessible and inclusive learning environment. The development and promotion of accessible teaching and learning materials as well as innovative methodologies play a pivotal role. The absence of accessible reading materials, teaching aids and appropriate instructional techniques unduly restricts the learning opportunities available to young people with disabilities. Teacher training in inclusive education is also key as educators serve as the cornerstone to students’ learning experiences, with great potential to steer an entire education system toward inclusive practices.
Comprehensive sexuality education, encompassing both knowledge and skills related to good health and well-being, is another essential component that deserves attention within the realm of inclusive education for students with disabilities. Unfortunately, this critical aspect often goes overlooked. The sexual and reproductive health of young individuals with disabilities as well as their autonomy and independence are frequently marginalized by families, schools and communities. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to acknowledge and address these vital themes when considering the inclusive education of young people with disabilities.”

Nir

“In an inclusive educational system, recognizing diverse learning styles is imperative. For those with disabilities, tailoring reasonable adjustments to specific conditions is essential. These adaptations form the foundation for implementing universal design and accessibility measures, ensuring equal educational opportunities. Embracing special educational needs and accessible materials fosters dynamic, participatory learning experiences. Such an approach significantly enhances knowledge acquisition, fostering an environment where gender, ethnicity, or any distinguishing feature are not grounds for discrimination. Inclusive education is a commitment to leaving no one behind, promoting true equity in education.”

Maria José

“The ongoing exclusion of young people with disabilities is an undeniable barrier to guaranteeing inclusive education practices and spaces by providing accessible structures. This is a problem that affects all parts of life for youth with disabilities and stops their participation in society. In Honduras, most of the young people with disabilities don't have the opportunity to study and that affects their chances of finding a job to be autonomous and independent.”

Amara

What do you do to improve actions towards inclusive education?

“Raising awareness and fostering sensitivity towards disability and the principles of inclusive education are of paramount significance in today's society. I am committed to serving as a catalyst for change. Through conducting workshops, I not only share my personal experiences and life journey as a psychologist, paralympic and motivational speaker, but also provide valuable tools. These tools are designed to facilitate the development of inclusive context-specific educational processes. Whether it be innovative pedagogical approaches or adaptive infrastructure, the goal is to promote an educational landscape that embraces diversity and ensures equitable opportunities for all, irrespective of their individual needs or circumstances.”

Maria José

“Most of my activism is centered around reducing the exclusion of young women and women with disabilities by raising awareness of disability (what it is and the role of all people in creating an inclusive society), holding awareness workshops for the population and families of persons with disabilities, as well as creating spaces for young girls with disabilities to set up a support system, continuing our advocacy efforts for all young women with disabilities.”

Amara

“I have been engaged in raising awareness, advocating for change and building the capacity of stakeholders to improve their actions in relation to these themes. Through the creation of content across various social and online media platforms, I have been spreading awareness about the importance of inclusive education. Through advocacy efforts directed at relevant government agencies, I have been holding them accountable for their duties and responsibilities, reminding them of the need to fulfill national and international commitments to inclusive education. In addition, I have contributed to the development of E-courses and training manuals and have facilitated numerous training sessions and workshops for teachers, government officials and other relevant stakeholders. Most notably, I have been leading the "Right Here Right Now" project at the Blind Youth Association Nepal which is focused on increasing access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) for young people with disabilities.”

Nir

What actions do you think world leaders need to take to improve the situation around this theme?

“The first thing governments should do is prioritize the human rights of people with disabilities and guarantee that these be fulfilled and respected in all areas. The government should ensure better investment for education and health; this will make people more aware of how to treat people with disabilities. My fellow youth can educate the population on what it means to have a disability and what it means to uphold their rights. In addition, teachers need to create an inclusive environment and stay informed on how they can build accessibility within school systems.”

Amara

“To achieve inclusive education for all, it is imperative that everyone recognizes the cost of exclusion far exceeds the cost of inclusion. Inclusive education is undoubtedly a challenging endeavor, but it is by no means insurmountable. With the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, it can be realized.
Government agencies should prioritize investment in creating accessible learning environments, enhancing teacher capacity and developing accessible teaching materials and methodologies. World leaders must allocate a certain percentage of education funding to support inclusive education. The private sector should contribute to the development and promotion of accessible teaching materials and invest in inclusive education as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR). Within education, teachers need to acknowledge that individuals with disabilities can learn based on their abilities and should take responsibility to ensure their positive learning outcomes. Furthermore, teachers and parents must accept that CSE is a crucial part of inclusive education as it will play a pivotal role in shaping the autonomy and dignity of students with disabilities. Lastly, fellow youths should actively engage in raising awareness about inclusive education at the community level.”

Nir

“Educating individuals with disabilities presents a formidable challenge, further compounded when viewed through a gender lens and the imperative of cultural relevance. Inclusive education demands accessible infrastructure to secure active participation for all. Overcoming these challenges necessitates transformative tools such as ramps or sign language interpretation that can lead to embedding universal design principles into educational frameworks. Education must be an unequivocal right. The formulation and diligent execution of public policies are pivotal in advancing the cause of inclusive education. These policies serve as the bedrock for fostering an educational landscape where diversity thrives, ensuring that no one is left behind and equitable opportunities are afforded to all.”

Maria José

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Read all the blogs in this series on inclusive education

Focus areas: Inclusive education, Youth

November 28, 2023 by peter ngaojia

Education Technology edtech one of the best educational tool k personally appreciate and recommending for all school as the world speedily growing with technology. My question is how can you help school that needs this facility to improve the educational aspect grown to the age of computer.

December 02, 2023 by Jonas

L'éducation est primordiale pour tous sans exception. Le choix de l'éducation ne doit jamais porter sur le genre ni sur le handicap de la personne.
C'est notre combat à tous de conjuguer l'égalité dans le système éducatif avec l'accès facile aux établissements scolaires et aussi garantir aux apprenants en situation de handicap des outils instructifs adéquats et flexibles à leur apprentissage.
Les pays développés ont sans doute compris que les personnes en situation de handicape sont aussi des réssources de qualité, c'est pourquoi en tant que responsable de l'ONG AREOS, agissant dans la gestion des cas OEV/VBG, notre combat continu dans les pays en voie de développement afin de faire comprendre et appliquer leur droit à l'éducation.

December 05, 2023 by Diop Babacar

L inclusion domine l actualité pourrait s intégrer dans une discipline positive,une éducation parentale, intégrative,participative et holistique.

La question de l inclusion peut être prise en charge dans les programmes multi sectoriels par une planification rigoureuse des activités

December 28, 2023 by William Obella

Holistic approach towards inclusion is a reality with sensitization at the forefront. No charity can realize inclusion except the community which holds the power for change.
The limitation in resources to effect inclusion is a theoretical myths based on attitudes.
I love to be part of this interaction to learn.
William from Uganda working in a refugee context.

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Nir Shrestha, Nepal

Maria José, Guatemala

Amara Aguilar, Honduras

What specific theme in inclusive education for young people with disabilities matters to you the most and why is it important? And what are the challenges?

What do you do to improve actions towards inclusive education?

What actions do you think world leaders need to take to improve the situation around this theme?

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