AEDT2170: Designing Inclusive Learning Environments Week 3 Inclusive Policy

Analysis Questions Below are the analysis questions to think about before watching/listening to this clip. The purpose is to activate your prior knowledge with this topic and to help you focus your thinking for this week’s topic: How are ability and disability defined in related policies? How are policies distinguished differently in Early Years education?

Rights for All “We will only have succeeded when everyone can use their abilities, instead of falling behind because of disabilities.” OHRC There are numerous policy documents to assist educators in understanding their role in ensuring all their learners’ rights are met. This week select one or two educational policy documents (some are listed below) and be ready to discuss the analysis questions in tutorial: Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005) Ontario Day Nurseries Act ELECT – Early Learning for Every Child Today (2007) How Does learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years (2014) Education for All (2005) Learning for All (2013)

Ontario Human Rights Commission The OHRC works to bring systemic change for persons with disabilities, helping “to change the focus from disability to ability”. Let us take a look at the Ontario Human Rights Commission site, particularly looking at the Education resources and case studies. How can the OHRC site assist in helping educators understand policy? http://www.ohrc.on.ca/en/annual-report-2012-2013-rights-partners- actions/changing-focus-disability-ability

Early Years Policies Please browse through the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) website. Particularly focus on the public policy links: http://www.aeceo.ca/public_policy Also look through the Early Childhood Educators Act (2007) and links at https://www.edu.gov.on.ca/kindergarten/informationforeducators.ht ml

Developments in Inclusive Education A shift towards a student-centred, integrated approach to pedagogy Focus on Universal Design and differentiated instruction to meet the needs of the learner “If we choose to teach, we are choosing to teach in inclusive settings.” (Hutchinson & Martin, 2012, p. xv)

Language and Understanding of Disability Disability is defined as the interaction between the individual and their environment; it is not solely a characteristic of the child. Disability is a restriction of functioning, activities or participation as a result of barriers in the environment or a lack of facilitators for participation. (WHO & UNICEF, 2012) Consider your own beliefs about ability/disability and your philosophy regarding learning and educational practice.

Synthesis for Tutorial Your synthesis questions for this clip include: Identify your understanding of ability and disability. How can strengths be leveraged in the classroom? Identify specific examples from your practice/experience.