Striving for open society for all
<p><img style="padding: 5px; float: right;" alt="Daniela" src="http://esok.jyu.fi/haastattelu/inced/daniela/">
<img style="padding: 5px; float: right;" alt="Natascha" src="http://esok.jyu.fi/haastattelu/inced/natascha/">
Natascha Vogel and Daniela Plivelic study in Inclusive education training program in Protestant University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt, Germany. Since January they have been in Pieksämäki studying at Diaconia University of Applied Sciences and doing their practical training at Sylvin Syli kindergarten. <br>
- Teachers have really put a lot of effort organizing program and helping with problems. This has been the most educative part of the studies. It was the first practical training we have had and it was interesting to work in the area we are likely to work in the future.
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<p>Before starting Inclusive education studies in 2004 Daniela and Natascha had both had experiences working with disabled children. These experiences strengthened their will to work for improving the situation of disabled children. They value the idea of inclusion because everyone has the right to participate in the society. This is the reason they chose Inclusive education which is the only training program in Germany that has the aim of inclusion.<br>
- Inclusion means that the society is open and available for everyone the same way, and everyone can live and work together in one community. Special support should be provided so that no one is excluded if they can’t move their leg or can’t see for example, Daniela and Natascha state.
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<p>When comparing inclusiveness in education in Finland and in Germany, the situation seems to be better in Finland. According to Daniela Finland is seen as ‘the country’ for integration and inclusion in Germany. She thinks that people in Germany are not as aware of the importance of equal accessibility as they are in Finland. Physical access can sometimes be very challenging because only few schools have ramps or proper elevators. Social environment and attitudes are not yet very open for disabled people.
- It is difficult to find people who are willing to help and support. </p>
<p>Daniela thinks that the biggest challenge for inclusion is to convince people that it is a good and an important thing. She tells that people often ask for who is inclusion actually a good thing. People think that if there are children who need special support in a normal class they eat up the time and disturb the learning of non-disabled children.<br>
- We have to explain often that inclusion is good for everyone. It helps to understand diversity and gives everyone a chance to participate.
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<p>Natascha and Daniela will graduate next year. In the future both of them wish to work with children with special needs. Natascha thinks their know-how will be needed in all kinds of workplaces especially in the social field. Opportunities in Germany are slowly growing but it will be hard work and a long way to change the attitudes in the society. Like Daniela says:<br>
- I’m not going to change the whole world but convincing people with small steps it is possible to make a difference.
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<h3>Links</h3>
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<li><a href="http://www.efh-darmstadt.de/english/">Protestant University of Applied Sciences Darmstadt</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.efh-darmstadt.de/index.html">Evangelische Fachhochschule Darmstadt</a></li>
<li><a href="http://web.efhd.de/sie-wollen-studieren/747.html">Inclusive education</a></li>
<li><a href="http://pieksamaki.diak.fi/in_english">Diaconia University of Applied Sciences</a> Pieksämäki unit</li>
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