1 00:00:03,850 --> 00:00:06,500 [What is inclusion?] 2 00:00:17,751 --> 00:00:21,280 [Integration] 3 00:00:22,780 --> 00:00:25,548 I don't understand why I'm at the back of the class. 4 00:00:25,783 --> 00:00:27,703 I wish it was like everyone else. 5 00:00:27,703 --> 00:00:29,233 I want to do what they do. 6 00:00:29,393 --> 00:00:30,513 But here I am, 7 00:00:30,513 --> 00:00:32,463 doing the same old number activity, 8 00:00:32,463 --> 00:00:34,743 watching as my classmates learn something else. 9 00:00:35,346 --> 00:00:37,866 Don't they know that they're setting me up to fail? 10 00:00:38,090 --> 00:00:40,710 Don't they know they hold my future in their hands? 11 00:00:41,454 --> 00:00:43,311 I want to work in my class, 12 00:00:43,311 --> 00:00:46,311 learn what they are learning and do the activities they do. 13 00:00:46,571 --> 00:00:50,571 But here I am, stuck at the back, limited by low expectations, 14 00:00:51,365 --> 00:00:54,865 Having a one-on-one teacher aide just teaches me to rely on them 15 00:00:54,865 --> 00:00:57,565 and means I get less attention from the teacher. 16 00:00:57,835 --> 00:00:59,770 I am not included in the classroom. 17 00:01:00,130 --> 00:01:02,995 I am in the same room but segregated from my peers, 18 00:01:02,995 --> 00:01:06,875 sat to the side or back, working on different things and missing out. 19 00:01:07,125 --> 00:01:09,625 I want to be free to learn with my peers, 20 00:01:09,625 --> 00:01:12,925 reach my full potential and be seen to be like everyone else. 21 00:01:13,933 --> 00:01:16,393 I need something to change. 22 00:01:25,093 --> 00:01:28,413 [Perceived inclusion] 23 00:01:32,333 --> 00:01:35,553 You may be wondering what is wrong with this picture? 24 00:01:35,908 --> 00:01:38,838 I'm in the classroom with my peers, sitting in my seat, 25 00:01:38,838 --> 00:01:41,148 learning the same things as everyone else. 26 00:01:41,661 --> 00:01:43,561 You may think that this is inclusion, 27 00:01:43,791 --> 00:01:44,861 but it's not. 28 00:01:45,301 --> 00:01:49,961 I am stiffled, limited and held back from reaching my full potential. 29 00:01:51,921 --> 00:01:55,491 Though I love my teacher aide, I don't get to think for myself. 30 00:01:55,588 --> 00:01:59,098 In fact, a lot of the time, my teacher aide does it for me, 31 00:01:59,098 --> 00:02:02,435 even whispering the answer in my ear when I already know it. 32 00:02:02,870 --> 00:02:04,360 The more she is with me, 33 00:02:04,510 --> 00:02:08,050 the more I realise that there is no point in me thinking for myself 34 00:02:08,050 --> 00:02:10,360 because she will give me the answer anyway. 35 00:02:10,770 --> 00:02:13,440 I'm sure there are other kids who also need her help. 36 00:02:13,630 --> 00:02:15,200 Does she need to be with me? 37 00:02:15,390 --> 00:02:16,570 Can't she help others? 38 00:02:16,740 --> 00:02:17,841 Surely if I need help, 39 00:02:17,841 --> 00:02:21,320 I can put my hand up and ask my teacher like my friends do. 40 00:02:22,178 --> 00:02:24,191 My friends and classmates want to help me 41 00:02:24,191 --> 00:02:26,921 but by having someone right next to me, they can't. 42 00:02:27,304 --> 00:02:28,974 I need to learn from my peers 43 00:02:28,974 --> 00:02:31,294 be able to do group work and be challenged. 44 00:02:31,592 --> 00:02:35,302 I want to be allowed to fail or succeed and learn from it. 45 00:02:35,568 --> 00:02:37,628 I need something to change. 46 00:02:40,108 --> 00:02:43,048 [Inclusion] 47 00:02:44,268 --> 00:02:45,998 Can you find me in the crowd? 48 00:02:46,501 --> 00:02:48,546 Inclusion is more than just a word, 49 00:02:48,696 --> 00:02:50,591 it is a culture, a mindset 50 00:02:50,591 --> 00:02:54,191 and an expectation that everyone can and will learn and succeed 51 00:02:54,191 --> 00:02:56,461 along their age-appropriate peers. 52 00:02:56,910 --> 00:02:59,793 I know it can be challenging to include me in the learning 53 00:02:59,793 --> 00:03:03,390 as sometimes I might require extra resources and information, 54 00:03:03,832 --> 00:03:06,772 but giving me space to learn from my teacher and peers 55 00:03:06,772 --> 00:03:09,712 is the best way to challenge me and allow me to grow. 56 00:03:11,079 --> 00:03:14,019 I want to learn the same things as my classmates, 57 00:03:14,137 --> 00:03:18,453 and I want teachers to have the same expectations of me as of my friends. 58 00:03:18,929 --> 00:03:21,409 My learning may need to be modified, 59 00:03:21,409 --> 00:03:24,344 but I still want the opportunity to show what I can do, 60 00:03:24,344 --> 00:03:26,149 not focus on what I can't. 61 00:03:26,816 --> 00:03:30,816 Treat me the same as any other student and watch me flourish, 62 00:03:31,469 --> 00:03:35,319 I will rise the challenge of the expectations you set for me. 63 00:03:37,714 --> 00:03:40,034 Are you ready to really include me? 64 00:03:43,368 --> 00:03:46,498 Subtitles by Juliana Ponesi Review by Carol Wang