Talking Point # 9

Citizenship in School: Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome, Christopher Kliewer

Quotes:

1) "Now we know that people with disabilities can learn and have a full, rich life. The challenge is to erase negative attitudes about people with developmental disabilities, get rid of the stereotypes and break the barriers for people with disabilities."
- I picked this quote because it stuck out to me. Just because a child has a disability, doesn't mean that they should be given less. They learn like everyone else, but just in a different way. When the stereotypes are put against these children it makes it harder for them to learn. They should receive help instead of the stereotypes that they receive.

2) "Such acceptance is the aim when children with Down Syndrome join their non-disabled peers in classrooms, and many schools and individual teachers have entered into this effort, which seeks and finds community value in all children."
- This is a very interesting quote. When a child with Down Syndrome is put into a classroom of non-disabled students, there is that fear that they may not behave or fit in well. On the other hand, the relationship that the child makes with his or her peers is very important. Also, teachers play a big role in this that they help make a smooth transition for the student. All students make a classroom what it is and having an welcoming area is a very important factor.

3) "Along with recognizing an individual's ability to think, Bogdan and Taylor (1989) suggest that respect and citizenship require a realization of the person's individuality. This is true in school relationships as it is in our wider community relationships."
- I think this quote is true. It is important to recognize one's individual ability to think and their individuality as a whole. No one is the same, therefore no one learns the same. This is something that should be recognized in schools and throughout the community.

Questions/ Comments/ Points:

This was a very interesting article. It opened my eyes to see how some children can be treated just because they aren't like everyone else. When everyone can work together, it allows for togetherness. This can help for a better place for students to go to school in and also a better community to live and raise children in. We should all be able to realize that we are all here to learn and we should all be able to get along no matter what one may have.