Inclusion means children of all abilities learn together

Over the past twenty-five years, there has been significant progress for people with disabilities. Institutionalization has been largely eliminated and all children have the right to attend school. However, as a society, we have not fully embraced the concept that people with disabilities should be side by side with others in school, in jobs and in social settings.

UCP of Central Florida is creating a new kind of community; one where everyone can learn and play together. One where a person’s disability isn’t necessarily a relevant characteristic and everyone appreciates and values all kinds of diversity. We believe that segregation in childhood ensures segregation in adulthood and creates permanent barriers. We acknowledge that all individuals, those with and without disabilities, have gifts and talents that benefit everyone. Within our community, there are limited academic options for children with and without disabilities to truly learn together. So, few children benefit from the full potential of our real communities.

UCP's new Bailes Campus will be a place that will fulfill the needs of our students as well as be an international example for others to learn how inclusion can be successfully implemented. There is evidence based research that supports children with and without disabilities achieve the same or better academic outcomes when part of an inclusive classroom. Studies have shown that children without disabilities, when placed in a classroom with their peers with disabilities, score higher on problem solving skills and empathy than those students who are not exposed to such a diverse environments.   

The children without disabilities today are the employers and business managers of tomorrow. They are the ones who will be in the position to hire new employees.  When an adult with special needs applies for a position at their company, these employers and managers will be able to draw from their own educational experience.  A personnel director, after interviewing a man in a wheelchair, might say, “I went to school with a girl who has spina bifida. And even though she needed a wheelchair, she was incredibly smart and had a great sense of humor.  We liked her. The wheelchair didn’t make a difference to us then, and it shouldn’t make a difference with this candidate now."