We have the privilege to witness and live through a historical moment. Revolutions of the past are built on comprehensive action and profound change, and our battle against discrimination is no exception. The fight for inclusion for individuals with special needs — in all aspects of our lives as students and teachers — has hit the ground running, and it isn’t slowing down anytime in the near future.

With the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics organization, the necessity for inclusion in our schools is at its peak.

Special education students across the country often face emotional intolerance, prejudice, lack of accommodation from the student body and faculty, or even physical abuse. Narrow mindedness towards these individuals is unconditionally intolerable.

Students with disabilities are an irreplaceable asset to our community. Individuals with special needs have no shortage of gentleness and affection, and these few short years in high school are critical for their education and growth towards one day being independent adults in surroundings that can too often be cold and harsh.

Misconceptions about the SPED program are, unfortunately, present even here at Perry. Caroline Cook, a special education teacher, commented on this. “I think definitely from a gen-ed student point of view I believe they feel like our kids are obviously not as cognitively advanced as a gen-ed kid,” Cook stated. “That would be one stereotype, which, I mean obviously could be the case, but they are capable of so much more as well. And how do we deal with them? Exposure, definitely exposure and inclusion.”

Special education students genuinely care for their peers, a priceless character trait in an otherwise self-centered and generally emotionless society. You can count on any one of the special education students in our program to be friendly, give you a high five in the hallway, or wave at you from across campus.

Cook spoke briefly on the inclusive courses that the school offers like the theater classes, art, graphic design, culinary, etc. “As far as the elective classes… they love the exposure. They love learning the content but then they also love having a class with the gen-ed population.”

These are the reasons inclusion is absolutely necessary. In a world where most individuals care only for their own well being, the genuine kindness provided by students with special needs is refreshing; a vital benefit to our populace as a whole.