(2008). Disability and Diversity in Canada: Problems and Opportunities in Creating Accessible and Inclusive Learning and Service Delivery Environments. Journal of the International Association of Special Education, v9 n1 p89-104 Spr. A novel participatory workshop methodology was adopted in this qualitative study of the intersection of disability and diversity in the lives of individuals. Social service recipients, parents, educators, service providers, and policy makers in three Canadian cities were conjoined in daylong discussions designed to investigate if the realities of inclusion and access become more complex when individuals with disabilities also are recent refugees or economic immigrants of a visible ethno-cultural minority. The themes that emerged from the discussions focused on problems in the areas of appropriate educational provisions, access to work, access to services, marginalization, mental health, self-definition, human rights, and universal design. Opportunities for improved educational and social services are described in relation to the insights, observations, and recommendations of the workshop participants. The recommendations for improving the education and social service provisions to… [Direct]
(2008). Family Mode Deactivation Therapy in a Residential Setting: Treating Adolescents with Conduct Disorder and Multi-Axial Diagnosis. International Journal of Behavioral Consultation and Therapy, v4 n4 p328-339. Mode Deactivation Therapy (MDT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of adolescent disorders including emotional dysregulation, behavioral dysregulation, physical aggression, sexual aggression, and many harmful symptoms of anxiety and traumatic stress. MDT Family Therapy has been effective in reducing family disharmony in case studies and has been shown to be efficacious as compared to treatment as usual (TAU) in treating families with a variety of problem behaviors and in reducing and maintaining treatment effects through two years of tracking recidivism rates. The nature of the pediatric behavioral health industry poses a challenge for treatment research–adequate sample sizes are not always available, and the organizations themselves are generally hostile to active research. The requirement for a control group is often viewed as a human rights concern in this population (often mandated to participate in treatment), and the resistance of the clients and… [PDF]
(2008). Virtual Reality as a Leisure Activity for Young Adults with Physical and Intellectual Disabilities. Research in Developmental Disabilities: A Multidisciplinary Journal, v29 n3 p273-287. Participation in leisure activities is a fundamental human right and an important factor of quality of life. Adults with intellectual disabilities (ID) and physical disabilities often experience limited opportunities to participate in leisure activities, virtual reality (VR) technologies may serve to broaden their repertoire of accessible leisure activities. Although the use of VR in rehabilitation has grown over the past decade, few applications have been reported for people with ID. Thirty-three men and women with moderate ID and severe cerebral palsy participated in the study. Each participant in the experimental group (n=17) took part in VR activity two to three times weekly for 12 weeks. Virtual games were provided via GestureTek's Gesture Xtreme video capture VR system. The VR-based activities were perceived by the participants to be enjoyable and successful. Moreover, participants demonstrated clear preferences, initiation and learning. They performed consistently and… [Direct]
(2008). Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006: The Implications for Employers in Educational Settings. Education and the Law, v20 n3 p235-247. Vetting those who work with children and vulnerable adults is an emotive topic and one which can prove a challenging area for employers. The legitimate interest that parents, carers and employers have in screening those charged with the care of others can be in direct conflict with the most fundamental principles of economic freedom and employees' human rights. The desire to balance these conflicting objectives is at the heart of the Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006, which introduces what is being heralded as the most inclusive and comprehensive vetting and barring system to date. The changes dramatically widen the scope of workers who are subject to vetting and barring processes, covering employees, volunteers and contractors in the education, care and health industries, and affecting some 11.3 million people in the UK. This new scheme is of particular relevance and importance to schools and other educational institutions, who will be directly affected by the changes. This… [Direct]
(2008). Tolerance of Intolerance: Values and Virtues at Stake in Education. Journal of Moral Education, v37 n4 p467-484 Dec. The article addresses the issue of the tolerance of intolerance in an educational context. It concerns a real case in a Swedish upper secondary school some years ago, when a student was suspended from school owing to his sympathies with Nazi ideas. One hundred and twenty student teachers' responses to this decision were analysed in respect of the idea of toleration as a crucial value and tolerance as a virtue in a liberal democratic society. The main findings show that the suspended student is seen as a democratic risk factor by a majority of the student teachers. On the other hand, those who disagree, maintain that the school's handling of the situation and the attitude towards Sven, the suspended student, could be a democratic risk factor. The findings are discussed in the light of different views of democracy and human rights and of "the ethos of the teacher". The article considers the idea of zero tolerance and maintains that the findings are in line with the related… [Direct]
(1978). The APS in 1977: Public Service in an Era of Limited Growth. Physics Today, 31, 4, 23-30, Apr 78. Presents the address of George E. Pake, 1977 president of the American Physical Society (APS), upon his retirement from that office. Discussed are APS activities, human rights, and federal funding of research. (SL)…
(1985). Political Prisoners: A Global Community. Social Education, v49 n6 p463-64 Sep. The fate of the individual who is singled out for oppression is explored. Specific examples are provided. International organizations trying to keep the issue of human rights before the public are described. (RM)…
(1980). Media Update on Southern Africa: A Crisis in Black and White. Social Education, v44 n1 p68-70,72,74,76 Jan. An annotated list of current films, filmstrips, slide/tape presentations and organizations dealing specifically with Africa is presented. The material is appropriate for a study of human rights issues in South Africa. (KC)…
(2000). Rights for All: The Human Rights of Rural Citizens. Keynote Address. The Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission visited over 50 communities throughout Australia to assess the state of human rights in rural, regional, and remote Australia. Education and health services predominated the discussions. Rural children, especially Aboriginal children, have lower school attendance and completion rates than urban children, and they must travel long distances to school. Distance education is inadequately funded and is hampered by lack of telecommunications infrastructure. There is a lack of sporting and cultural opportunities for rural students. Many Aboriginal communities have no access to secondary education, and the education that is available is not culturally relevant. There is a lack of support in rural areas for children with special needs. Concerning health services, it was found that health needs increase, but the level of health care drops, as one moves from urban to remote areas. There is a shortage of general practitioners,… [PDF]
(2008). Citizenship Education and the Ajegbo Report: Re-Imagining a Cosmopolitan Nation. London Review of Education, v6 n1 p11-25 Mar. Following the 2005 London bombings, there is widespread public debate about diversity, integration, and multiculturalism in Britain, including the role of education in promoting national identity and citizenship. In response to official concerns about terrorism, a review panel was invited to consider how ethnic, religious and cultural diversity might be addressed in the school curriculum for England, specifically through the teaching of modern British social and cultural history and citizenship. The resultant Ajegbo report proposes a new strand on "identity and diversity: living together in the UK", be added to the citizenship education framework. While the report gives impetus to teaching about diversity, it does not strengthen the curriculum framework proposed in the Crick report. It fails to adopt a critical perspective on race or multiculturalism or adequately engage with young people's lived experiences of citizenship within a globalised world. I analyse how the review… [Direct]
(2009). The Catholic Church, Moral Education and Citizenship in Latin America. Journal of Moral Education, v38 n4 p407-420 Dec. The Catholic Church, with deep roots in the history of Latin America, exercises considerable influence on all levels of society. Especially after the Second Vatican Council and the bishops' conference at Medellin (1968) the Church took up the banner of human rights and the cause of the poor. During the dictatorships and in the midst of the different guerrilla movements the Church became the principle voice of opposition and mediator between the parties in conflict. At the same time, the Church helped organise the poor in their own defence. The Base Ecclesial Communities, which spread from Brazil to the rest of Latin America, combined biblical awareness with social consciousness. Paulo Freire's concept of "conscientisation" complemented the liberation theology movement, which inspired Christians to mobilise against dictatorships and death squads from Central America to Chile. On a formal educational level, the Church runs private schools for the wealthy, the middle class and… [Direct]
(1997). The Spirit That Moves Us: A Literature-Based Resource Guide. Teaching about Diversity, Prejudice, the Holocaust, and Human Rights. Volume 1: Grades K-4. Revised [and] The Spirit That Moves Us: A Literature-Based Resource Guide. Teaching about the Holocaust and Human Rights. Volume 2: Grades 5-8. This two-volume resource guide includes lesson plans and bibliographical references for teaching about the Holocaust. The first volume, revised in 1999, covers grades K-4, and the second volume, published in 1997, covers grades 5-8. Each guide offers age-appropriate strategies and lesson plans for teaching students about the fundamental causes of human rights violations and for developing their awareness of ongoing social issues. Lesson plans include exercises that explore underlying concepts while teaching students about geography, history, social studies, math, music, and society. Volume 1's chapters are: (1) "Celebrating Diversity"; (2) "Learning from Many Cultures"; (3) "Creating Community"; (4) "Confronting Prejudice"; and (5) "Beginning Holocaust Studies." Appendices give articles and resources for teachers. Volume 2's chapters are: (1) "Cultural Identity: The Positive Power of Belonging"; (2) "Forging an…
(2009). Guided by a Red Star: The Cuban Literacy Campaign and the Challenge of History. Journal for Critical Education Policy Studies, v7 n2 p51-65 Nov. This article features the book "Rebel Literacy: Cuba's National Literacy Campaign and Critical Global Citizenship," by Mark Abendroth, a step-child of the Critical Pedagogy Program at the University of Saint Thomas. As a scholar-activist, Abendroth has produced a courageous and prescient volume that will impact the field of critical pedagogy for years to come. Each page of this volume will repay the reader mightily in its creative retelling of the Cuban National Literacy Campaign–undeniably among the world's greatest educational accomplishments of the 20th century. This book is much more than a retelling, it is also a rethinking of the very meaning of literacy and critical citizenship today. The book demythologizes the Cuba that US capitalists have constructed for public consumption through the hegemonizing powers of the corporate media; not only does it show the vibrant and courageous history of Cuba's march towards socialism and participatory democracy, it makes a… [PDF]
(1969). Reading: A Human Right and A Human Problem. A selection of papers presented at the Second World Congress on Reading held in Copenhagen in August, 1968, reflects the views of educators from 25 countries on facets of reading instruction. Central to the Congress was its stress on education as a human right. The raising of literacy goals and the roles played by various agencies in accomplishing this are themes which appear throughout the speeches. Topics discussed in papers in the collection include beginning reading, reading comprehension, preparation of teaching materials, descriptions of programs, teacher education, and reading problems. (This document previously announced as ED 045 306.) (MS)… [PDF]
(1983). News of Projects in Associated Schools. International Understanding at School, v45 p23-33. Brief descriptions of school projects undertaken by countries participating in Unesco's Associated Schools Projects are provided. Project topics vary and include international education, environmental education, peace education, community aid, children's rights, world problems, and human rights. (RM)…