“Now we know that people with disabilities can learn and have a full’, rich life. The challenge is to erase negative attitudes about people with developmental disabilities, get rid of the stereotypes and break the barriers for people with disabilities.” (kingsley, 1996, p. 6)
· I think overtime people have gotten use to the idea that people with disabilities are not smart or able to do things like a “normal” person. I think the reason for this was because prior to the medical revelation, anyone who had mental problems or were not physical able, were look down upon. However, I think it is time to change that mentality. As an inspiring teacher I feel that when I have a class that I should educate them, that people with disabilities are not look down on, but look as another equal individual.
“Schools have traditionally taken a narrow position when defining and judging student intellect (Gardner, 1983). The presence of a thoughtful mind has been linked to patterns of behavioral and communicative conformity associated with competence in logical-mathematical thinking and linguistic skills.”
· I do agree with the first part of this quote. I do think that schools have narrow down the position when defining student intellect. My main reason for this thought is because teachers now in days pass students to the next level just because they do not want to have the child in the class. Also, the school curriculum has changed. It does not challenge the student as it should; this is not doing any good to anyone.
“A sense of reciprocity or shared value exists in relationships in which individuals, including those with the most severe disabilities, are recognized as thinking, feeling, caring human beings personalities all their own.”
· I feel that people who are disable, do not get picked on as much as before. I feel that this is because other people are getting educated in this area. And I think by educating children that disable people are use like us that they will help them out instead of teasing them.
I really like VJV's spirit in responding to the first quote. If change needs to occur it will not happen unless someone initiates it. It is up to us to undo the negative connotations in the past. I think all of us agree that this is both a necessary and worthwhile cause and will actively participate in being delegates of change within our own future classrooms.
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