It's that time of year again! Planning is already underway for this year's Community Living Month. The focus for Community Living Month 2009 is Inclusive Education.
Are you already planning your community living month events? We want to help make your event successful by spreading the word. Download your event information form here.
Need supplies for your event? Check our our Community Living Month Resources
What is inclusive education?
Inclusive education means ensuring that all students have equitable access to learning and achievement, but also that all students are welcomed, valued and supported in the public school system. Inclusion means fully engaging and supporting students with developmental disabilities to participate in a holistic learning environment with their non-disabled peers. Inclusion involves more than the physical placement of a student in a regular classroom. It is a set of practices that promote participation, friendship and interaction. Inclusion is about membership and belonging to community.
Neighbourhood schools are the heart of our communities, and BCACL believes they are essential for a quality inclusive education system. Therefore we believe it is important to support a public education system in B.C. We believe that all students have a right to be welcomed and appropriately supported in their neighbourhood school.
Other Resources:
How Community Living Month Came About
Past Provincial Calendar of Events from 2009
Inclusive Education in the News:
Learning and teaching how to be a friend. The Vancouver Sun. June 25, 2009.
Making Inclusive Education a Priority. BCACL special to the Vancouver Sun, November 6, 2008
Individual attention lacking in school system. Burnaby Now, September 10, 2008