The Experience of Inclusive Education in Hyderabad

Abstract

 It is almost two decades since the Peoples with Disabilities Act (1995) was passed. So, the present article will underline the problems faced by the students with disabilities attending mainstream schools. In order to understand the concept of inclusive education, the author spoke to several individuals having Visual Impairment (V.I) and Physical Impairment (P.I) who had access to mainstream schools. At first, the study will attempt to assess the level of awareness of the school managements   regarding the various legislative and policy provisions for children with disabilities. Based on the convenience of the majority, society has defined what is normal and what is abnormal. The authorities in the government and private schools interviewed agree that society should adapt to children with disabilities, rather than them adapting to society. It emerged from the study that a majority of the disabled respondents have been rejected at least twice from the mainstream schools they had approached.   Majority of the respondents felt that the school infrastructure needs to be improved. Most of the students with disabilities acknowledged that more than the teachers, it was their friends who had given them special attention as and when required.