Moving beyond Inclusion to Belonging
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. The International Community’s Commitment to Including People with Disabilities
3. Mainstreaming to Belonging: What Do We Mean?
4. The Role of Service Providers in Fostering Belonging
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Law | Purpose |
---|---|
Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act [10] | Prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities by organizations and employers that receive federal funding. Applies to a wide range of entities, including schools, colleges, universities, healthcare providers, government agencies, and private employers. |
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 1975 [11] | Ensures that children with disabilities have access to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE). Students with disabilities should be educated with their non-disabled peers in the general education classroom as much as possible; they should not be separated unless learning cannot be achieved, even with aids and services. Also includes provisions for early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities. |
American with Disabilities Act of 1990 [12] | Protects the rights of individuals with disabilities in many areas of public life, including employment, public accommodations, transportation, telecommunications, and government services. Requires equal access, reasonable accommodations, and non-discrimination for those with disabilities. |
Commitment | Purpose |
---|---|
Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) [15] | Defines childhood as a period separate from adulthood and vows to protect children’s rights as they learn, grow, and play. |
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006) [2] | The International human rights treaty is committed to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people with disabilities. Includes several articles dedicated explicitly to the rights of women and children with disabilities. |
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (2015) [16] | Seventeen global goals aimed at addressing various social, economic, and environmental challenges. Disability is included in all aspects of SDGs, specifically goals of education, employment, economic growth, accessibility, and equality. |
UNICEF’s Disability Inclusion Policy and Strategy (DIPAS) 2022–2030 [17] | Prioritizes the inclusion of children with disabilities in UNICEF’s programs, policies, and initiatives. Ensures that children with disabilities are not left behind in access to education, health, protection, water, and sanitation. |
UNICEF’s Core Commitments for Children in Humanitarian Action (CCC) (2020) [18] | Ensures that the rights and well-being of children, including those with disabilities, are prioritized and protected during emergencies and crises. |
UNESCO Salamanca Statement (1994) [19] | Produced during the UNESCO World Conference on Special Needs Education, emphasizing the principle of inclusive education. Calls for inclusive schools to be the most effective means of combating discriminatory attitudes, building an inclusive society, and achieving education for all (EFA). |
UNESCO Dakar Framework (2000) [20] | Reiterated the commitment of the EFA initiative, emphasizing inclusive education as fundamental to achieving quality education for all children, particularly those marginalized, vulnerable, or with disabilities. |
UNESCO Incheon Declaration (2015) [21] | Recognizes inclusive education as a transformative approach to promote learning and participation for all. |
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Long, T.; Guo, J. Moving beyond Inclusion to Belonging. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20, 6907. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206907
Long T, Guo J. Moving beyond Inclusion to Belonging. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2023; 20(20):6907. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206907
Chicago/Turabian StyleLong, Toby, and Jennifer Guo. 2023. "Moving beyond Inclusion to Belonging" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20, no. 20: 6907. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206907
APA StyleLong, T., & Guo, J. (2023). Moving beyond Inclusion to Belonging. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(20), 6907. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206907