Inclusion is a question of attitude

Julia Latscha calls for a change in society: complaining about the difficulties of inclusion is loud, she notes. But the problem is not money or lack of resources: "The biggest hurdle is our lack of will."

I am angry. Recently, the negative reports on the subject of inclusive education have been increasing. Desperate teachers and the challenging behaviors of children play an important role. The inaccessibility of inclusion in the German education system is at the center of the thunderstorm of the discussion. I do not want to ignore the lack of resources and socially educated teachers. That is a big problem. Undisputed. The imposition of savings policies in the wrong places is important. The hurdles seem to lie mainly in the practical implementation. But this is much more: We have a social-social problem, an attitude problem.

Wherever I appear in social life with my fourteen-year-old daughter, we are the focus. Because Lotte is sitting in a wheelchair, she can scream better than she can talk, her arms are often rowed helplessly through the air or her spit dripping from her mouth. I think, too, Lottes younger brother thinks normally. We do not know otherwise. And above all we know about Lottes talents. It can dance, so that every body cell also jumps the rhythm of the music. She has humor. Their laughter is contagious. And by the way, she can also read, calculate and write. But only if she wants and the right person sitting next to her.

Disappearance in special systems
That Lotte can do it all, only a few suspect. For Lotte is already in the drawer of the "poor handicapped girl" before many of their fellow men want to recognize their abilities. That is why it is quite normal for my daughter to be taken to a school with a special bus in the morning and to live in a facility for people with disabilities in the future. This was what the office doctor wanted to do with Lott's schooling already, the Youth Office wants this today, and that is what the majority of the society expects. "Out of sight, out of mind," it is proverbial. That's true. One in ten people in Germany has a disability. Most disappear early in special systems, in a parallel world.

Lotte was trained in 2008. In 2009, the UN Handicapped Disability Convention entered into force in Germany. Since then, every child with disability has the right to attend a regular school at the same time. The necessary support must be provided.

My thoughts were more about survival and less about life in the middle of society. Today I have a different view of things. I want to participate in an active rethinking and transformation of our social structures. And my daughter also clearly shows in her reactions that her life in society is definitely better than on the edge.

Differently gifted children
The noise of despair drowns the quieter sounds all too quickly. But these are essential. It is not the fear of discriminating against people with disabilities that should be the focus but the ongoing incapacitation of people with disabilities. And now I have to knock on the table: Children without a disability learn no less if they are taught together with children with a disability. Just different. And probably more for life.

It is now time to question the current teaching content, to adapt it to the present and future challenges of mankind. Cohesion rather than separation. Diversity instead of simplicity - even if that is very tiring.

Not the challenging children are the cause of the overburdening of the German education system, but the structural, but above all also the intellectual inflexibility. Because it has been tried to make people fit for structures instead of changing the structures fundamentally. Because it is easier to walk on a trail, than to find new ways. Because habit gives more support than new territory. Because a distinction is made between "normal" and "not normal". It must fail. Even before the UN Disability Equality Convention came into effect, the three-pronged school system was too rigid for the many differently gifted children.

Inclusion is a human right
In some other European countries, however, inclusion is possible. Also at isolated places in Germany: in families, in kindergartens and schools. In residential groups and some businesses. Whenever man is the center of attention and not his physical and cognitive features; If already existing resources are used and, for example, schools open up for regular schoolchildren; When teachers, parents, and fellow human beings are committed beyond all measure; If not exclusively services.

Inclusion is a human right. That is why we have no alternative. We can not wait until an ideal education system has established itself - that will never happen. Inclusion is an attitude. And precisely this attitude is the foundation for a transformative process. We must understand that. And we need courage for failure, self-conquest and openness. Above all, sacrifice. We have to rethink, stagnate around and get up again when we fall.

The cry for more money, for much more money and for many more expert teachers is absolutely necessary. This is a large construction site!

Suddenly back problems
I also have to move a lot more, despite a long-lasting breathlessness. By letting my daughter go to a school, I found a little time again for the hoppers. She is liked, encouraged and appreciated at the school. In a protected room she learns everyday things. This is worth much. My daughter always had great teachers. We are indebted to Lottes cognitive abilities. Maybe I'd still be in the dark. Who knows. Nevertheless, I have the feeling that I have to rest in this dilemma of the daily struggle for participation in social life, equality and recognition. I find this legitimate and not again. Because here the resignation lurks. On the one hand, my daughter is not adequately prepared for the real life at the Förderschule; on the other hand, society lacks the experience of diversity. It is no wonder that most people have back problems and a lot of touch when I stay with Lotte in subway shafts, because the elevator is broken and the steps for me and Lotte alone are not manageable.

A physical or mental restriction becomes a hindrance only through structural, social or cultural barriers. These walls we have to tear every day. I. You. And politics.

"Those who want inclusion will find ways to prevent them from seeking justifications." This quotation comes from Hubert Hüppe, the former Commissioner for the Federal Government for the needs of people with disabilities.

The article first appeared on 22 May 2017 on time online.

Julia Latscha is the founder and president of the Foundation for Education. Together with the team, she is committed to participation and diversity in education. Her recently published book "Lauthalsleben. From Lotte, the otherness and my search for a common world "(Knaur) is an occasion for us to deal more intensively with the topic of inclusion.

Julia Latscha likes to read from her book and discusses with interested parties about the chances of a society that derives from diversity and sees otherness as a potential.
For events with Julia Latscha, please refer to this PDF file.

Info and contact: www.julialatscha.de.