“In the beginning, I thought my son needed withdrawal for one-on-one or lots of aide time but now I see how those things took him away from his peers.

While there is still sometimes extra adult support in the class, there are many other ways to foster my son’s participation, learning and belonging, so he is a full and valued class member”.

Mother of John, Aged 7

Inclusive Education: The right model of support

Community Resource Unit Ltd

The right model of support for a student with disability will result in them feeling like an equal, valued, and contributing part of their class.  The right supports will develop their growth as an independent learner, and promote their perception and social connection amongst their typically developing peers.

This video demonstrates how Nathan’s school community implemented the right model of support for him, and how his academic confidence and friendships grew when the support was right.  It is an excerpt from the CRU film "He's confident, he's happy, he's part of the class".

The Queensland Department of Education has an Inclusive Education Policy Opens in new window which defines what inclusive education is and isn’t and the process of transformation that is needed to make inclusive education possible for all students.

Not all models of education are inclusive

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Download the fact sheet here (PDF)

Download an accessible version here (Word)

What is Inclusion? What’s not?

Kathie Snow

"It's estimated that 20 percent of adults and 10 percent of children have medical diagnoses that are categorised as disabilities.  Those numbers represent the 'natural proportion' of people with disabilities in our society.  An inclusive environment is one that replicates the natural proportion'.

Download the full article here (PDF)

Cheers for Peers!

Shelley Moore

This video looks at the critical role of peers in a truly inclusive classroom. Shelley advocates for a move away from one-to-one adult support and towards meaningful and balanced peer connection and mutual learning.

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“Liam’s inclusion has never been about his development, academic abilities, speech, behaviour or “readiness”. The only criterion that any child should have to meet is being of school age.”
Mother of Liam (age seven)

The Power of Inclusive Education

Ilene Schwarz

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Major Milestones: key dates in the history of inclusion

The Global Observatory for Inclusion

“Since the late 1800s, key events have led to advances in education. These events have prompted governments and education systems to move from exclusion to special education, from segregation to integration, and from integration to inclusion. Here is a summary of some of these events.”

Click here to learn more and watch the video Opens in new window

Inclusive Education – key dates in history

Queensland University of Technology (QUT)

Disabling Segregation

Dan Habib

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Thinking about inclusion: Following the natural paths of childhood.

Dr Bob Jackson

"We still have much to learn on the mechanics of inclusion for all students in all situations, but it is now clear from examples around the world in high school and over 20 years of successful inclusion at a university level that if the will is there, the way is there also."

Download the article here (PDF)

Inclusive Education Toolkit for Parents

All Means All

This Inclusion Toolkit for Parents has been written with leading inclusive education experts to guide parents in supporting their child’s inclusive education journey.

View the website here Opens in new window

Useful Australian websites:

• Family Advocacy - School years Opens in new window

  A useful collection of resources for parents, by an advocacy organisation that supports NSW families to promote and defend the rights of their children to be included in the regular classroom.

• School Inclusion – from Theory to Practice Opens in new window

  A blog and a wealth of resources published by a Queensland-based Educator committed to advancing the realisation of inclusive schooling within the Australian context.

Broadreach Training

Broadreach Training and Resources is the website of Emma Van der Klift and Norman Kunc.  It contains extensive resources including videos, online courses, articles and presentations on disability, inclusion, inclusive education, collaborative behaviour support, friendship and rethinking disability.

Click here to visit the website Opens in new window

Inclusive Education: From Political Correctness Towards Social Justice

Norman Kunc

Inclusion Alberta: Inclusive Post-Secondary Education

In a program initiated by families in 1987, Inclusion Alberta facilitates inclusive education opportunities to students with developmental disabilities at 14 universities and colleges.

Students with developmental disabilities take part in the same learning activities as their peers such as assignments, practicums, exams, study groups, as well the extracurricular clubs, societies and social groups university life is famous for.

Useful International websites:

• The Inclusive Class Opens in new window

  A blog by Nicole Eredics, an educator who advocates for the inclusion of students with disabilities in the general education classroom.  This site is designed to provide information and tips on how to include ALL learners in a classroom

• Paula Kluth Opens in new window

  Paula’s website is dedicated to promoting inclusive schooling and exploring positive ways of supporting students with autism and other disabilities.  She is the author of the very popular “You’re Going to Love this Kid: Teaching Students with Autism in the Inclusive Classroom”, now in its 2nd edition.

• Inclusive Schooling Opens in new window

  This website by Dr Julie Causton is for educators, administrators and parents who seek to create more inclusive schools.

This project is proudly supported by the Queensland Government through the Department of Education.

The Department of Education website outlines its commitment to Inclusive education through its inclusive education policy.