Inclusion on the Bookshelf

Autor/in	Jackson, Camille
Titel	Inclusion on the Bookshelf
Quelle	In: Teaching Tolerance, (2009) 36, S.54-57 (4 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1066-2847
Schlagwörter	Special Needs Students; Disabilities; Inclusive Schools; Mainstreaming; Childrens Literature; Stereotypes; Social Attitudes; Consciousness Raising; Reading Material Selection; Illustrations; Empowerment + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Sonderpädagogischer Förderbedarf; Handicap; Behinderung; Inclusive school; Integrative Schule; 'Children''s literature'; Kinderliteratur; Klischee; Social attidude; Soziale Einstellung; Bewusstseinsbildung; Bildliche Darstellung
Abstract	Three decades have passed since federal law mandated inclusion--ending, officially at least, a system that segregated students with disabilities from the rest of the student population. The publishing world has yet to catch up. In children's books, characters with disabilities often inhabit their own separate world, where disability is the only story, and people are either heroes, victims or sidekicks. Finding books that are disability-positive may take some digging, but it is worth the effort. Truly inclusive books serve to dispel stereotypes, prevent bullying and support students who are labeled "disabled." A book with a positive message can welcome students who are hyper-aware of their difference--and foster a discussion that will set the record straight. Canadian elementary school teacher Tracy Beck advises that when choosing books for younger children, teachers should pay close attention to illustrations, to make sure the images don't reinforce stereotypes. Teachers should choose books that depict children with disabilities as empowered with "no negative value judgments implied," according to the educators at the University of Kansas Circle of Inclusion Project. The illustrations and text should offer genuine insights into another person, these experts say. The lives of children with disabilities are adventurous, funny, romantic and active. There are many books available that contain characters with disabilities, but few that truly embrace social inclusion. The real story is so much more compelling than the stereotypes: if teachers dig deep and ask the right questions, they can find books that bring the real story to their students. (ERIC).
Anmerkungen	Southern Poverty Law Center. 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104. Tel: 334-956-8200; Fax: 334-956-8484; Web site: http://www.tolerance.org/teach/magazine/index.jsp
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10