Adopt a position in favor of or opposed to the inclusion of students with vision loss into general education schools

Question

Defend your position.

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

ANSWER: In favor of inclusion in general education schools: Children who are blind should be
educated in public schools and classrooms alongside their seeing peers. This allows
children who are blind to remain at home with the family and live in a local
neighborhood, which is just as important for these children as it is for their sighted
friends. It also allows children who are blind to have greater opportunities for
appropriate modeling of acceptable behaviors. Schools for children who are blind have
endeavored over the years to offer the best education possible, one that is intended to be
equivalent to that offered to children who can see. However, these schools cannot
duplicate the experiences of living at home and being part of the local community.
Although it can be argued that the special school is geared entirely to the needs of the
child who is blind, there is much more to education than a segregated educational
environment can provide. During the child's growing years, he or she must be directly
involved in the seeing world in order to have the opportunity to adjust and become a part
of society.
Opposed to inclusion in general education schools: The special school for children
who are blind provides for these individuals a complete education that is oriented entirely
to their unique needs. The teachers in these schools have years of experience in
working exclusively with children who are blind and are well aware of what educational
experiences are needed to help blind children reach their fullest potential. Additionally,
special schools are equipped with a multitude of educational resources developed for
children who are blind. General education schools and classrooms cannot offer the
intensive and individualized programs in such areas as music, physical education, and
arts and crafts that are available through schools for the blind. The strength of the
special school is that it is entirely geared to the specialized needs of the child who is
blind. Thus, it can more effectively teach the skills necessary to adapt to life
experiences.