Inclusion, Participation and Democracy: What is the Purpose?

In today's climate of accountability in education, there is increasing pressure to demonstrate the effectiveness of inclusion, yet there is much confusion about what inclusion actually does for individuals and their families. This book is for researchers studying inclusion, teacher educators and teachers and is suitable as a textbook for undergraduate teacher education programmes and MEd in inclusive education. In addition, this book is a must for people concerned with the 'bigger picture' and with identifying the important consequences of inclusion, participation and democracy for young people and their families.
The book offers a cross-cultural perspective. It contains a collection of papers from internationally renowned scholars who provide fresh insights into the goals and ambitions for inclusion, participation and democracy and how these might be realized today. Several of the authors look beyond schooling and ask how far inclusion fosters or inhibits individuals' sense of identity and community. The 'insider' accounts provided by some of the authors highlight the complex political and cultural changes required to achieve success with the inclusion project.