In this article, I will talk about what I think about the inclusion of people with disabilities in learning during covid-19.
During covid-19, many schools changed their teaching methods from face to face to online, and after getting used to learning in school, online teaching methods will make students feel confused. This is an issue that needs to be discussed. I believe that teachers can help students learn by offering self-advocacy in the classroom. It is also important for students to find the right approach to self-advocacy, which, in my opinion, has four points.
1) Adhere to the learning goals, which is conducive to persistence in learning
2) Make a learning plan according to the learning goal and strictly follow the learning plan to carry out the learning.
3) Regular self-examination and reflection to find out the shortcomings in independent learning and correct them.
4) Pay attention to the atmosphere and environment of learning, for example, you can carry out discussions about learning with your classmates and friends so that the learning environment is active and can accept each other’s opinions.
While the first three points can be used individually for self-directed learning, the fourth point needs to be accomplished in a fully inclusive classroom. While students with learning disabilities are capable of self-advocacy and know better than anyone else what type of learning is appropriate for them, they will always need to be able to communicate with regular students and teachers in the classroom. This is why it is so important to create an inclusive classroom for students with learning disabilities.
Below, I will offer two suggestions for creating more inclusive classrooms.
First, I think teachers can record every lesson. They can also add English subtitles for students with hearing impairment and actively answer students’ questions. This would allow students to do independent learning after the lesson if they are unable to keep up with the lesson or if they have questions.
Second, teachers can have students work in groups. For students with hearing impairments, grouping ensures that everyone can communicate by typing. This allows each student to have the same learning experience in the same lesson. And we can also know what is on the minds of the students with learning disabilities and what they are suggesting.
Just because covid-19 has led to changes in our learning environment, lifestyle, and health, it does not mean that students with learning disabilities are somehow behind us. We should protect their health, safety, and dignity more than usual. We can bring them up to speed through inclusive learning. As Canada’s Minister of Disability Inclusion says, “Everyone has equal rights and opportunities,” and people with disabilities are the same as we are when it comes to learning. We should make a difference for them, not give up on them.


Reference：

HRSDCanada. (2020, May 31). National AccessAbility Week – May 31 to June 6, 2020. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BOiWe4kBEU&ab_channel=EmploymentandSocialDevelopmentCanada.