Role of Special School in Promotion of Inclusive Edcuaiton Sharing of thoughts By Bhushan Punani Chairperson: ICEVI West Asia Executive Secretary: Blind People’s Association

Emerging Trends in Inclusive Education for Individuals with Visual Impairment First Trend: Shift from Residential to Inclusive Education First school for the Blind 1984: 1784: in the world in Paris 1954: Arthur Blaxall School for the Blind in South Africa Journey - 232 years old in world - 63 years old in South Africa

Special School

1st School in the World 1st School in South Asia Coverage Focus RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS 1st School in the World – 1785 in Paris 1st School in South Asia – 1954 Arthur Blaxall School for the Blind Coverage - “Less than 5 % in Africa” Focus – “Single category of disability”

– “Mostly Govt & Public Charity” RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS Location – “Mostly urban”. Model – “Charity & Welfare” Funding – “Mostly Govt & Public Charity”

– Missionaries, Blind Persons themselves, their Teachers & Parents” RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS Founders – Missionaries, Blind Persons themselves, their Teachers & Parents” Managed with - Public Donations or Grants – Department of Social Welfare

Resource Model

World over there is debate as regard Shifting from Residential to inclusive education Salamanca and UNCRPD recognize inclusive education

Shift from Special to Integrated Two Prominent Models: Model 1: Itinerant Model – Teacher visits from school to school to provide support to CWSNs Model 2: Resource Model : A Resource Room is created at regular school for such children & Resource Teacher provides support

New Expectations from Residential Schools With expansion of inclusive education Special Educators required for child preparatory School readiness services and Braille teaching Orientation & mobility & use of assistive devices Class Teachers carries out regular educational activities

There is debate world over Whether to promote inclusive education alone And close down residential schools In Developing countries, the right approach is To continue both modes of education Children with deafblindness, multiple disabilities do require residential or Home Based Teaching

The Residential Schools however need to change their role To be complimentary to inclusive education Emerge as Resource Centres To provide support inclusion

Residential School to provide: Accessible text books, assistive and educational devices Orientation of Class Teachers

Setting Resource Centres & making schools accessible Making campus accessible Provide reasonable accommodation Promote total communication in inclusive schools

PROMOTE USE OF Technology based devices Expansion of Braille production Open source screen reading software Internet based audio books

Screen reading & magnifying software Refreshable Braille Audio equipment & close circuit TV Transformed school into smart school Such student should be able: To store, retrieve and access material As effectively as sighted person

Use of technology & software Magnifying capacity of computer Affordable Braille display To provide transport facility to child provide impetus to inclusive education

Role of Inclusive Schools Provide volunteers to special schools Involve Special schools in inclusive sports

Roles of Inclusive Schools Involve blind students in cultural activities Provide writers and readers to students Record and provide audio books Implement student exchange program Mobilize resources for special schools Promote use of technology & software

Role of Teacher Training Institutes Government should appoint Special Educators as regular teachers Universities should modify curriculum of teacher training Included "Disability Studies" as a paper All class teachers to handle children with visual impairment also

Despite being a blind person, completed her schooling with science Got admission through court intervention In Degree Course in Physiotherapy Now a practicing physiotherapist.

Advantages of Complimentary Approach Advantages of socialization Inclusive development Building of self confidence Promotes sense of competition exams Appearing in National Administrative exams Banking recruitment

National Civil Services Combined Admission of Tests for Premier Management Institutes Many of them appointed as: Bureaucrat, Executives, Bank Officers, Physiotherapists, Lawyers, Public Relation Officers

To sum up Inclusive education - mode of journey Not final destination or last frontier Empowers the people Builds self confidence Promotes social inclusion Builds capacity of schools

Brings a sense of accomplishment, achievement & self realization And self actualization as well Let us make inclusion - a way of life For people facing seclusion, isolation & segregation Under pretext of they being "special" And requiring "special education" Let us not change them

But the change the schools Change the system Change the mindset and Change environment Such change would usher in New hopes Now aspirations

New targets of achieving something Which is their right That is Now aspirations New dreams and New targets of achieving something Which is their right That is “ Complete inclusion in an inclusive mainstream of social life".