WHY AN INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM IS AN EXCEPTIONAL CLASSROOM

BY VIRGINIA A. JACKO

I often say that a blind person can do anything that a sighted person can, so long as they have the proper accommodation. This first and foremost applies to early childhood learning.

Enrolling your visually impaired child in an inclusive learning environment can yield: higher academic achievement, increased self-esteem, and more social interactions within the classroom. Not to mention, it fosters a better understanding of diverse abilities.

Parents of visually impaired children who are looking for a learning environment that promotes inclusivity while advancing academic excellence, should consider inclusive learning environments. Below are three reasons why.

EMPATHY IS THE SECRET INGREDIENT

The classroom often shapes a child's relationship with the world outside of their families. When children of diverse abilities learn alongside each other, they increase their understanding and empathy through socializing, playing, and learning.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION PREPARE EVERYONE FOR THE 'REAL WORLD'

The truth is that communities across the world have people with diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and abilities. As early as preschool, children are taught that all of us are different in our own unique ways. However, in non-inclusive classrooms, they may not fully grasp those differences, if not exposed to them firsthand. What's more, our sighted students gain an understanding of the importance of digital inclusion and accessibility, by seeing their visually impaired peers using accommodations like CCTVs (closed