Salamanca Statement Virginia Commonwealth University

ADD, ADHD, cold, strep and flu. All of these are diseases which resonate with someone and instill a fear of “what if it was me?” However, it is comforting that there is a cure to help cope with these diseases. They do not prevent someone from living a typical life. However when one hears the words “Down Syndrome,” “Autism” or “Retard,” there’s an even greater fear. People often time find it hard to cope when they are surrounded with people with special needs as they feel bad that people with special needs cannot live a typical life. Their disability is a part of them just like one has red or brown hair. It is who they are and if they are happy with how their life is, everyone else should be able to easily accept them and their way of life.

The Salamanca Statement promotes the inclusion aspect. Virginia Commonwealth University has a program called ACE-IT, which promotes inclusion in schools. ACE-IT is a five semester program on the Virginia Commonwealth University campus which allows adults with intellectual disabilities to attend classes and have the full college experience as students. Students participating in this program take one or two required classes Virginia Commonwealth University a semester and in addition they are able to audit a couple of additional classes, experiencing the classroom setting in their own way (Michael Gill). This creates a sense of belonging and inclusion, where one’s disabilities are not what matters. Another program which promotes inclusion is Best Buddies, a non profit organization which pairs volunteers with someone who has intellectual or developmental disabilities (Best Buddies International). Programs like these are what enable children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities to achieve their greatest potential. It creates bonds and friendships which help them feel good about themselves and the self esteem they need to accomplish great things. If Best Buddies was placed in classrooms, there would be an increase in its awareness and effectiveness. Both

While there are many great teachers out there, it takes special training to be able to teach those with special needs, as well as how in include them in a normal classroom. Teacher should have programs which on skill building and training in classrooms. This will help them to learn how to best teach their students to work together and learn from one another. It will help to provide the best atmospheres for all of their students (Ostmeyer and Scarpa 937). Additionally, the teachers have to go through training and receive their necessary aids to help improve their classrooms. Some of the things teachers should receive to better their inclusive classrooms are teacher assistants (Wilkins and Nietfeld, 115). It is not the job of the teacher alone to watch out and make sure that all the students are accepted. By having these assistants, the teacher will be able to provide the best atmosphere and have help to make sure every student feels as though they belong. By the end of the year, the students in these classrooms will have a greater level of confidence in themselves than those in non inclusive classrooms (Wilkins and Nietfeld, 115). Inclusion helps to make everyone feel better about themselves as they are bettering themselves in becoming more acceptance and removing hatred from their systems. Another reason why students will have greater self esteem is that they