INCLUSION
Miller and Katz (2002) defined inclusion as:
“... a sense of belonging: feeling respected, valued for who you are; feeling a level of supportive energy and commitment from others so that you can do your best.”
The Angelman Network promotes the Enabling Good Lives (EGL) approach, where disabled children & adults and their families will have greater choice and control over their supports and lives, and make more use of natural and universally available supports.
Human Rights - Embracing Diversity
Inclusion is ‘the state of being included’ - a universal human right that aims to embrace all people, irrespective of race, gender, disability or other attribute that can be perceived as different. Inclusion ensures that everyone feels they belong, are engaged, and are connected. It is about valuing all individuals, giving equal access and opportunity to all and removing discrimination and other barriers to involvement.
A Human Rights approach should ensure positive processes and outcomes for disabled people including treating people with dignity and respect, to ensure that society no longer disables its citizens. Everyone has something to contribute and should be able to do so without having to repeatedly confront societal barriers.
Inclusion is not 'just a disability issue'. It is about encouraging everyone to learn to live together, to respect diversity, and to build community as we learn to share our attributes. Many people are fearful about ‘different’ simply because they are not familiar with it. We can all support inclusion by embracing diversity, advocating for accessibility, and promoting awareness for Angelman syndrome in our own local communities.
Removing Communication Barriers
People with Angelman syndrome are non-speakers, and without words it is not possible to communicate effectively, develop meaningful relationships, access a full education, express opinions, or participate fully in society. Because of their lack of words, the greatest barrier they face is that of being excluded, ignored and forgotten.
In order to make inclusion work for them, individuals with AS first need to be given the opportunity to express themselves. With technology so prevalent, it is ideal that very soon after diagnoses, families should be introduced to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and supported by a Speech Language therapist. Read more on Communication here.
Inclusion in the NZ Education System
The New Zealand Curriculum and Te Marautanga o Aotearoa require that all students’ identities, languages, cultures, abilities, and talents are recognised. The Curriculum is non-prescriptive and provides for a flexible learning approach. Schools have a mandate to develop their curriculum in a more personalised way as they notice, recognise, and respond to the needs of all their learners and their communities.
Ministry of Education: What an inclusive school looks like
More on Inclusive Education, here
People who have AS should be treated the same as everyone else. They need to know that we presume their competence and believe in their potential. Our acceptance and encouragement will help them reach their maximum potential.
Inclusive Education Action Group (IEAG)
Creating Inclusive Schools & Communities in NZ. The Inclusive Education Action Group (IEAG) advocates for real change in the education system. They promote knowledge, attitudes, policies and practices that facilitate inclusive education so all children, young people and adults, including those with disabilities, have equal opportunities to learn, belong, and flourish in their local, regular, educational setting.
UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
The CRPD is an international Human Rights treaty of the United Nations, intended to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. It is aimed at protecting the dignity of persons with disabilities and ensuring their equal treatment under the law including the right to health services, education and employment.
The NZ Government signed the Convention at the United Nations on 30 March 2007, and ratified it on 26 September 2008.
New Zealand Disability Strategy
2016-2026
The New Zealand Disability Strategy 2016-2026 was launched by the Minister for Disability Issues Hon Nicky Wagner on 29 November 2016. You can read and download the Strategy in a range of accessible formats, here. You can also read the media releases and the Cabinet paper agreeing to the new Strategy.
Whaikaha - Ministry of Disabled People.
Whaikaha is being established as a standalone government department that will work across government to improve outcomes for more than one million disabled people in New Zealand.
They will provide disability system leadership across government and focus on removing barriers and bringing about societal changes that improve the lives of disabled people.
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UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD): The Convention is intended as a human rights instrument with an explicit, social development dimension. It adopts a broad categorization of persons with disabilities and reaffirms that all persons with all types of disabilities must enjoy all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
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The Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights: The Code extends to any person or organisation providing, or holding themselves out as providing, a health service to the public or to a section of the public - whether that service is paid for or not. With regard to disability services, it extends to goods, services, and facilities provided to people with disabilities for their care or support, or to promote their independence, or for related or incidental purposes.
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Human Rights Act: Human rights legislation in New Zealand. There are two main laws in New Zealand that specifically promote and protect human rights. These are the Human Rights Act 1993, and the Bill of Rights Act 1990.
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Making a Complaint - the processes (ACC, Work and Income, etc)
Health and Disability Commissioner - Making a complaint can be a difficult thing to do,
especially if you're not sure of the best way to get your point across. The HDC can help you to
work out the best solution.
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Inclusive Education Action Group (IEAG): The IEAG recognises that disabled people are often denied the right to participate in education alongside other people of their age. They aim to change attitudes and practice by providing information about inclusion, training & workshops, networking, research and advocacy. Read more about the Voices Project, here.