Do we really want to include disabled people in society?

This paper is concerned with raising questions, about what we think and feel about disabled people and consequently how we treat people who have additional needs or disabilities. I would suggest how we feel about disabled people determines how we behave towards them. Many countries have introduced the concept of inclusive education and have laws which are designed to prevent discrimination against people who have additional needs and disabilities. In the UK these include the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) from 19951 now replaced by the Equality Act (2010)2. The DDA made it unlawful to discriminate against people with disabilities in relation to employment, the provision of goods and services, education and transport. Additionally the Act defined duties placed on service providers requiring „reasonable adjustments” to be made when providing access to goods, facilities, services and premises. The core concepts in this Act centred around „less favourable treatment” and the failure to make a „reasonable adjustment” and take an „active approach that requires employers, schools and service providers to take steps to remove barriers from participation by disabled people”3. In addition there is a duty to promote positive images of disabled people and to combat stereotypes. These concepts have now been incorporated in the Equality Act 2010. As you will appreciate what constitutes a „reasonable adjustment” and „less favourable treatment” still causes great debate. These concepts have been incorporated into the Equality Act 2010 which makes it illegal for