WEBVTT 00:00:03.850 --> 00:00:06.500 [What is inclusion?] 00:00:17.751 --> 00:00:21.280 [Integration] 00:00:22.780 --> 00:00:25.548 I don't understand why I'm at the back of the class. 00:00:25.783 --> 00:00:27.703 I wish I was like everyone else. 00:00:27.703 --> 00:00:29.233 I want to do what they do. 00:00:29.393 --> 00:00:30.513 But here I am, 00:00:30.513 --> 00:00:32.463 doing the same old number activity, 00:00:32.463 --> 00:00:34.743 watching as my classmates learn something else. 00:00:35.346 --> 00:00:37.866 Don't they know that they're setting me up to fail? 00:00:38.090 --> 00:00:40.710 Don't they know they hold my future in their hands? 00:00:41.454 --> 00:00:43.311 I want to work with my class, 00:00:43.311 --> 00:00:46.311 learn what they are learning and do the activities they do. 00:00:46.571 --> 00:00:50.571 But here I am, stuck at the back, limited by low expectations, 00:00:51.365 --> 00:00:54.865 Having a one-on-one teacher aide just teaches me to rely on them 00:00:54.865 --> 00:00:57.565 and means I get less attention from the teacher. 00:00:57.685 --> 00:01:01.345 I am not included in the classroom, I am in the same room 00:01:01.345 --> 00:01:02.995 but segregated from my peers, 00:01:02.995 --> 00:01:07.015 sat to the side or back working on different things and missing out. 00:01:07.125 --> 00:01:09.615 I want to be free to learn with my peers 00:01:09.625 --> 00:01:13.315 reach my full potential and be seen to be like everyone else. 00:01:13.933 --> 00:01:16.393 I need something to change. 00:01:32.333 --> 00:01:35.553 You may be wondering what is wrong with this picture? 00:01:35.908 --> 00:01:38.838 I'm in the classroom with my peers, sitting in my seat, 00:01:38.838 --> 00:01:41.148 learning the same things as everyone else. 00:01:41.661 --> 00:01:45.161 You may think that this is inclusion, but it's not. 00:01:45.301 --> 00:01:49.961 I am stiffled, limited and held back from reaching my full potential. 00:01:51.731 --> 00:01:55.491 Though I love my teacher aide, I don't get to think for myself. 00:01:55.588 --> 00:01:59.098 In fact, a lot of the time, my teacher aide does it for me, 00:01:59.098 --> 00:02:02.435 even whispering the answer in my ear when I already know it. 00:02:02.870 --> 00:02:06.770 The more she is with me the more I realise that there is no point 00:02:06.770 --> 00:02:10.770 in me thinking for myself because she will give me the answer anyway. 00:02:10.770 --> 00:02:13.820 I'm sure there are other kids who also need her help, 00:02:13.820 --> 00:02:15.390 does she need to be with just me? 00:02:15.390 --> 00:02:18.251 Can't she help others? Surely if I need help 00:02:18.251 --> 00:02:21.571 I can put my hand up and ask my teacher like my friends do. 00:02:22.098 --> 00:02:24.511 My friends and classmates want to help me 00:02:24.511 --> 00:02:26.921 but by having someone right next to me they can't. 00:02:27.304 --> 00:02:29.074 I need to learn from my peers 00:02:29.074 --> 00:02:31.294 be able to do group work and be challenged. 00:02:31.592 --> 00:02:35.302 I want to be allowed to fail or succeed and learn from it. 00:02:35.568 --> 00:02:37.628 I need something to change. 00:02:44.268 --> 00:02:46.298 Can you find me in the crowd? 00:02:46.501 --> 00:02:50.591 Inclusion is more than just a word, it is a culture, a mindset 00:02:50.591 --> 00:02:54.331 and an expectation that everyone can and will learn and succeed 00:02:54.331 --> 00:02:56.461 along ther age-appropriate peers. 00:02:56.750 --> 00:03:00.580 I know it can be challenging to include me in the learning as sometimes 00:03:00.580 --> 00:03:03.640 I migth require extra resources and information 00:03:03.742 --> 00:03:07.632 but giving me space to learn from my teacher and peers is the best way 00:03:07.632 --> 00:03:10.122 to challenge me and allow me to grow. 00:03:10.999 --> 00:03:14.019 I want to learn the same things as my classmates, 00:03:14.137 --> 00:03:18.453 and I want teachers to have the same expectations of me as my friends. 00:03:18.929 --> 00:03:22.929 My learning may need to me modified but I still want the opportunity 00:03:22.929 --> 00:03:26.149 to show what I can do, not focus on what I can't. 00:03:26.816 --> 00:03:30.816 Treat me the same as any other student and whatch me flourish. 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:35.319 I will rise the challenge of the expectations you set for me.