Inclusion

What do disabled children and young people say about inclusion?

 “Not feeling alienated or different. If you’re not included you feel sad, lonely and miserable. Inclusion helps you have fun.”

“We are all unique and every one of us has a different personality and we should be treated as equal.”

“Don’t be rude to me. Be nice.”

“Society needs to accept us for who we are.”

Disabled children and young people participating in KIDS consultation research

KIDS' vision is a world in which all disabled children and young people realise their aspirations and their right to an inclusive community which supports them and their families.

What is inclusion?

When KIDS refers to inclusionPlaying on bridge outdoors we are referring principally to the inclusion of disabled children and young people as that is the focus of our work. However it must be stressed that the principles of inclusion apply to all: children and young people of all abilities, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, ages and other differences.

Including disabled children is about adopting a person-centred approach and recognising and respecting all individuals – something which is necessary for the inclusion of everyone!

“Access is getting in. Inclusion is wanting to stay.”
Attendee at KIDS training event.

“Inclusion is not a single structure. It is process by which we acknowledge the rights of all children to be part of their local communities.”
Micheline Mason – Alliance for Inclusive Education

Inclusion is a process of identifying, understanding and breaking down the barriers to participation and belonging”
Early Childhood Forum, umbrella organisation of around 40 early years groups

Integration is us and them. Inclusion is us.”
KIDS inclusion conference delegate

“The focus is always on the child as an individual: their likes and dislikes, their needs and wants; there is only a group of individual children with individual needs.”
KIDS playgrounds

"Inclusion means everyone having the right to choose to take a full part in all local services – and being equally welcomed and enabled to do so.”
Philip Douch in KIDS publication ‘It doesn’t just happen’

What is inclusive provision?

Provision that is open and accessible to all, and takes positive action to remove disabling barriers, thus enabling both disabled and non-disabled people to participate in activities.

KIDS has written Factsheet no.8 for the Children’s Play Information Service on Inclusive Play. This can be found here.

Image © Will Strange/PRS music