On-line study materials: Special Education 1

Terminology

Basic terminology with some links of terms with negative connotations in the end...

Disability

  • umbrella term covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions
  • physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these

Exclusion

  • the state of being excluded or rejected; banishment; ostracism

Handicap

  • a term for disability that is now used much less than earlier in history; many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped (see more on links below)

Impairment

  • problem in body function or structure; an activity limitation encountered by an individual in executing a task or action

Inclusion

  • a term used by people with disabilities and other disability rights advocates for the idea that all people should freely, openly and without pity accommodate any person with a disability without restrictions or limitations of any kind (social; educational)
  • People with disabilities of all ages being educated in mainstream education settings alongside their nondisabled peers, where there is a commitment to removing all barriers to the full participation of everyone as equally valued and unique individuals.

Integration

  • the act or process of integrating; the state of becoming integrated (social; educational)
  • People with disabilities of all ages being placed in mainstream education setting with some adaptations and resources, but on condition that the person with disability can fit in with pre-existing structures, attitudes and an unaltered environment.

Normality

  • the state of being normal consistent with the most common behaviour for the person

Segregation

  • People with disabilities of all ages being placed in any form of segregated education setting; e.g. separate special school, college or separate unit within school/college or on separate segregated courses within mainstream education setting.

Negative connotations? Pejorative terminology? How is it today?