The Educator’s Role in the Work of Inclusion
It’s every educator’s job to sniff out potential disability bias in their classroom or school - here’s help.
Ableism is everywhere.
On some level, we all know this. Despite 50+ years having passed since the passage of disability law, two years ago people with disabilities earned a median of $28,438 as compared to $40,948 among those without a disability, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
As educators, it’s easy to fall into the dangerous assumption that the modern school environment is, on some level, automatically set up to be inclusive of all kids (We have ramps! We have two teachers in the classroom!) And while it may be true that the basic conditions are in place for the success of many students with disabilities, unconscious disability bias is everywhere, and it deeply impacts kids. Because 15% of children are served under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) - that’s the highest number ever, by the way - in U.S. school buildings, every educator’s role in supporting inclusion is crucial, regardless of their job title.
How does disability bias play out in the classroom?
Unfortunately, subconscious ableism can show up all over a student’s day. When we see the following scenarios play out, there’s a pretty good chance that some bias is at play -
Avoiding calling on a student based on their disability
Offering random (unrequested or required) additional supports to a student based on an assumption that the student can’t perform without them
Providing accessible accommodations that aren’t truly accessible (i.e.: ramps that are way too long for independent wheelchair use, or forgetting to replace the batteries in an FM unit)
Utilizing blanket accommodations for all students with disabilities, such as giving everyone extra time
Insisting on a code of behavioral ‘rigor’ whereby all students are held to stringent ideas of what is and is not acceptable in the classroom
Assuming that all students with a particular disability will be “the same” and treating them as such
While there is no one size fits all approach to supporting students with disabilities in schools, there are some best practices for leaders and teachers looking to create an inclusive environment.
Turn to a repeatedly asked question
Perhaps the most straightforward way to review classroom systems, structures, and practices for disability bias is to ask the question, “Who is meaningfully included in this system based on ability or disability?”, and its converse, “Who is excluded based on ability or disability?” Whether you’re a teacher reviewing your seating chart or a leader reviewing the fall activity schedule, taking an extra mindful moment to remember to consider your students with varied disabilities can go a long way with your structures of inclusion.
Become the learner
The educator’s learning work is never done, and this is definitely true with disability work. A suggestion is to get familiar with the 13 disability types and to regularly engage with learning and development opportunities designed to increase your awareness and understanding of disability. Disability Scoop is a great newsletter to stay up to date on news relevant to the disability community and most districts have a professional development budget for their teachers. Ask your administrator about the opportunities available!
Not sure? Ask!
One of the most common mistakes that we make is forgetting that folks with disabilities - even little ones! - are people who we can just…talk to. Asking your students what accommodations and supports they need to be successful and inviting them to share feedback with you shows that you see them as individuals with different and legitimate needs. It also waters the seeds of self-advocacy that is so important for all students to build.
Teach growth mindset
Inspired by the work of author Carol Dweck, growth mindset is the simple idea that intelligence and personality are things that we develop, and which can change, versus something that we are born with and are fixed. Incorporating this belief into lessons and school culture is critical to supporting students, as it teaches them to embrace challenges and persist through setbacks. It’s also inherently a more inclusive way of looking at learning, as it assumes that we will all come up against struggle and that the struggle is where the learning and growing is.
Inclusion on your mind?
With fifteen years of experience providing inclusive education to students of all abilities, Luminal Development’s educational consulting packages may be right for your school or organization as you look to strengthen inclusion. We also provide special education compliance support if you’re just starting out with the work. Reach out for a free consult call to learn more today.
