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Historical and Cultural Influences on Education Policy and Disability Services

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Childhood Disability, Advocacy, and Inclusion in the Caribbean
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Abstract

This chapter introduces the international press for inclusive education for persons with disabilities. After a brief review of the role of the United Nations in global debates regarding the meanings of disabilities and inclusion, the chapter provides a brief description of the current socio-economic status of Trinidad/Tobago as the nation with the most developed economy in the Caribbean. It presents a historical perspective on the post-colonial educational policy context in which advocates and policy makers have attempted to create a space for children with disabilities. The chapter raises the question of “goodness of fit” in transferring educational principles and practices, such as inclusion and educational mandates, from high- to low-resourced nations.

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Harry, B. (2020). Historical and Cultural Influences on Education Policy and Disability Services. In: Childhood Disability, Advocacy, and Inclusion in the Caribbean. Palgrave Studies in Disability and International Development. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-23858-2_1

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