Meet on education and vocational options

CHENNAI: Sankalp, an institution involved in remedial instruction catering to children with disabilities like Learning Disability/Dyslexia and Autism Spectrum Disorder, conducted its Second International Seminar on ‘Inclusive Education and Vocational Options’ on January 27 and 28 at the Taj Connemara.Christine Morris, Wendy Barbara Fidler, Ashok Kumar and Angela Sisson, who are experts in designing and implementing vocational training and inclusive education modules to children in the UK participated in the seminar.  They interacted with teachers and special educators from India.Angela Sisson, an experienced teacher of children with both physical and cognitive disabilities, explained Inclusive education as a concept that is still not very easy to apply, and thus what is required is positive strategies towards inclusive education. A concrete change happens only when there is the possibility of altering the mindset of the community and legislators. She threw light on Inclusive education from the UK’s perspective.Christine Morris, experienced in teaching in mainstream and special education, talked about ways by which children with special educational needs can be accommodated into main stream schooling. She also stressed the importance of making disability adjustments which will work in the classroom.Wendy Barbara Fidler, an independent educational consultant specialising in Montessori Education in Autism, Asperger Syndrome, AD(H)D, Down Syndrome, Dyspraxia and other neuro-developmental difficulties and Ashok Kumar, a consultant in autism and special education and a registered social worker at general social care council, England, emphasised the phase beyond education – Out of Education, into Employment.