1.When did disability formally defined for the first time in Ethiopia? Discuss it briefly?
2.What does it mean by Universalizing access for person with disabilities? For what kind of needs it works? Briefly Explain.
3.Discuss the concept of The Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education,1994.
4.Select at least two kinds of impairments and/or disabilities and briefly discuss typical strategies to accommodate needs, interests, abilities, rights etc of PWDs.
5.What will be the adverse consequences if systems exclude PWDs from all walks of life?
6.What is the difference between international and national legal frameworks in relation to inclusiveness? List and describe some examples under each.
7.Discuss the importances of international and national legal frameworks to PWDs and vulnerabilities?
8.Discuss possible factors that can affect the implementation of international and national legal frameworks to promote inclusive education in Ethiopia?
1. Disability was formally defined for the first time in Ethiopia in 1997 with the enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Proclamation. This law recognized disability as a condition resulting from physical, mental, or sensory impairments that limits a person's activities and participation in society.
2. Universalizing access for persons with disabilities refers to ensuring equal opportunities and inclusion for individuals with disabilities in all aspects of life. It aims to remove barriers and provide necessary accommodations to enable persons with disabilities to fully participate in society. This encompasses various needs such as education, employment, healthcare, transportation, communication, and social inclusion.
3. The Salamanca Statement and Framework for Action on Special Needs Education was adopted at the International Conference on Special Needs Education in Salamanca, Spain in 1994. It emphasized the right of children with special educational needs to be included in mainstream schools and highlighted the principles of inclusive education. The framework called for schools to adapt their curriculum and pedagogy to accommodate the diversity of all learners, regardless of their abilities or disabilities.
4. Two kinds of impairments and/or disabilities are visual impairment and physical disability. Strategies to accommodate the needs of individuals with visual impairments may include providing braille materials, using assistive technologies such as screen readers, and ensuring physical environments are accessible and well-lit. For individuals with physical disabilities, accommodations may include ramps or elevators for accessibility, modified desks or workstations, and assistive devices like wheelchairs or hearing aids.
5. Excluding persons with disabilities from all walks of life can have adverse consequences. It perpetuates discrimination, inequality, and marginalization. It denies individuals with disabilities their rights and opportunities to education, employment, healthcare, and social participation. This exclusion can lead to social isolation, dependency, and a lack of self-esteem, further exacerbating the challenges faced by persons with disabilities.
6. International legal frameworks refer to global agreements and conventions that promote inclusiveness and the rights of persons with disabilities, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). National legal frameworks, on the other hand, pertain to laws and regulations enacted by individual countries to ensure inclusiveness and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, such as the Persons with Disabilities Proclamation in Ethiopia.
7. International and national legal frameworks are of utmost importance to persons with disabilities as they provide a legal basis for their rights and protections. They set standards and guidelines for inclusive policies, practices, and access to services. These frameworks ensure that persons with disabilities are recognized as equal citizens with equal rights and opportunities, and that their vulnerabilities are addressed and mitigated.
8. Several factors can affect the implementation of international and national legal frameworks to promote inclusive education in Ethiopia. These factors may include inadequate funding and resources, lack of awareness and understanding among stakeholders, societal attitudes and stigmas towards persons with disabilities, limited infrastructure and accessibility, shortage of trained teachers and support staff, and ineffective coordination and collaboration among different government agencies and organizations involved in education and disability services.