Inclusive Education in Early Childhood Settings

Running head: INCLUSIVE EDUICATION
Inclusive Education in Early Childhood Settings
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

1INCLUSIVE EDUICATION
Introduction:
Education is one of the most important developmental requirements in early
childhood. Quality education helps in the development of knowledge as well as the mental
and cognitive faculties that helps children to grow and learn and in later life secure
employment and independence. Inclusive Education is an approach towards education where
all the students are welcomed by the schools to attend classes appropriate of their age on a
regular basis and supports the participation and inclusion of all the students in every activity
and aspects of school life. Inclusive education is an education model that welcomes students
with or without disabilities within the same setup and environment and helps children with
disabilities or special needs to learn with children without disabilities or special needs. This
approach helps the children with special needs or disabilities to develop a mixed experience
in the learning process in order to help them to be more successful in life (Bhardwaj, 2016;
Meltzer, 2018).
Studies show the inclusive practice in early childhood education can improve self
esteem, confidence and understanding of diversity among children with or without
disabilities. Also, for children with disabilities, inclusive practice can have a positive
cognitive as well as social skill development thereby benefiting all children. High quality
inclusive programs therefore needs to be supported by a high quality education delivery
system that can meet the needs of the children (with or without disabilities) (Ware, 2018;
Carrington, 2017).
The aim of this study is analyze the main legislations and theories that inform early
childhood education, importance of family perspectives and community networks on the
pedagogical practice in early childhood education and the role of the educator to provide
inclusive early childhood education.

2INCLUSIVE EDUICATION
Discussion:
Racial Discrimination Act 1975: The act was passed on 1975 by the Parliament of
Australia which makes racial discrimination an unlawful act, and it can override the state and
territorial legislations in case of any inconsistencies. The act is managed by the Australian
Human Rights Commission (AHRC) and any complaints on racial discrimination are
investigated by the president of AHRC with the support of the Federal Circuit Court or
Federal Court (legislation.gov.au, 2018a).
According to the act, discrimination, exclusion, distinction, or preference of
individuals on the basis of skin color, race, ethnicity, descent, nationality which can lead to
the nullification, impairment the enjoyment, recognition or exercise of equal rights and
opportunities for human rights, fundamental freedom in the context of social, political,
cultural or educational aspects. The act supports the AHRC to develop, educational programs
what helps to fight against racial discrimination; developing understanding, tolerance, and
respect of ethnic and racial groups; and maintain the principles of inclusiveness in education.
The act is also influenced by the Convention against Discrimination in Education that was
adopted by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on
1960. Article 5 of the act upholds the right of every child to training and education. The
article 7 implies that the state agencies should be involved in measures that can combat
prejudice and racial discrimination in education (legislation.gov.au, 2018a).
This policy therefore provides a legal framework and set of obligation for educational
agencies and educators to ensure that children are not prejudiced for their racial backgrounds
and schools and classrooms should make children from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds
feel welcome to participate and attend the classes regularly (legislation.gov.au, 2018a).

3INCLUSIVE EDUICATION
Disability Discrimination Act 1992: This act was passed by the Parliament of
Australia on 1992 which prohibits discriminatory practices against individuals with
disabilities in the sectors of education, employment as well as in public places and towards
the access to services, accommodation, recreation or goods. The act also considers the failure
to make provisions and adjustments to the environment to suit the needs of the disabled
people as an act of discrimination. Discrimination in this context implies towards a less than
favorable treatment of individuals with disabilities (aggrieved person) by the discriminator
compared to the treatment given to individuals without any disabilities or any form of indirect
discrimination in which the aggrieved person (individual with disability) are required to
comply to conditions and requirements that cannot be complied by the majority of individuals
without any disabilities, and does not give proper regard to the circumstance and condition of
the aggrieved person. The act implies that any such form of discrimination against people
with disabilities is a criminal act under Chapter 2 of the Criminal Code (legislation.gov.au,
2018b).
Under section 22 of the Act, it is unlawful for educational institutes and educators to
refuse the application of a disabled person to be a student; implement terms and conditions to
admit students with disability; denying or limiting the access of disabled students to any
facilities or benefits provided to them for every student; expelling students on the bases of
disabilities; subjecting students with disabilities to detrimental behavior; developing
curriculum or activities that can exclude students with disabilities to participate in it or cause
detriment to them or even accreditation of such curriculum of activities. Additionally, Section
23 also implies that it is unlawful to limit access to premises (such as play or recreational
areas) on the basis of disabilities. Section 31, subsection IB also implies that providers of
education should take strategies and programs that can prevent victimization or harassment of