For decades, people with disabilities have advocated and fought for their rights to self-determination and informed choice. Now, inclusive teacher training must reflect these advancements so that students with intellectual disability can receive quality, inclusive postsecondary education.
In their chapter “Social Integration and Inclusion” in the new book Intellectual Disabilities: Health and Social Care Across the Lifespan authors Maria Paiewonsky (ICI), Annie Gomes Redig (State University of Rio de Janeiro) and Kerry Watson (NSW Council for Intellectual Disability in Surry Hills, Australia) share international perspectives on inclusive education policy and practices across Brazil, Australia, and the US. They explain how self-determination for people with intellectual disability is at the core of inclusive education and disability services policy. Access the full book and chapter!
As director of the UMass Boston Transition Leadership Program, Maria Paiewonsky provides training to education professionals on how to prepare youth with disabilities for postsecondary education, employment, and independent life. Co-author Kerry Watson shared about her experience as a graduate of the UMass Boston Transition Leadership Program:
“I feel extraordinarily grateful to have been able to participate in this program, especially as an international scholar. The link between inclusive education and community inclusion has always been a passion of mine, and I feel like I found this gold-mine of people, tools, practices, systems-strategies, exemplar models that are now at my fingertips to bring this to life; to strengthen what transition supports and services look like for people with disability here in Australia.”
Learn more about SGISD’s Transition Leadership Program and how you can apply to become a transition specialist!