๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฉ๐ก๐ฒ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐๐ฅ ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ซ๐จ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐จ๐ง๐ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ?
I always remember having my ‘sugar drawer’ in primary school as a newly diagnosed diabetic. My teacher had a special place in her desk where she kept my glucose tablets and let me eat in class whenever I needed. This little change made the classroom accessible for me and was a world of peace of mind for my parents.
Physical changes are often times lost in the DEIJ focus on emotions and opinions but in the latest episode of DEIJ Hot Takes, Nicole Levina-Maria Demos (she/her/hers/disabled) opens our eyes to the physical side of inclusivity work beyond ramps, elevators, and sugar drawers.
We discuss the challenges and resistance that is met when trying to make physical alterations to spaces such as the finances, the long-term commitment, and the marginalisation of those needs.
๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐ค๐๐๐ฐ๐๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐ฎ๐ข๐ฅ๐ ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐จ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ค:
- Inclusion includes the physical aspects of creating a supportive environment.
- โBeing in school isnโt just about reading out of a book or writing an essay. Itโs about having that comfortable space because youโre in that space for so many hours โฆ Some of our students are more in that space than they are in their own homes.โ
- The physical environment is a consideration for safety, inclusion, and ultimately learning outcomes.
Watch the full episode to learn a key approach to DEIJ work that can support your DEIJ journey.
Recommendations from Nicole Demos:
Diversability – https://lnkd.in/gZgUGyFb
Crip Lifeโข – https://lnkd.in/gUKVTMMy
Navigating Special Education Relationships: Building Collective Efficacy for a Collaborative Team โ Amanda Ly, Ph.D, BCBA-D and Lori Boll
#DEIJHotTakes #EachOneTeachOne #SystemicEquity
