This book represents an original and innovative series of insights, ideas and questions concerning inclusive education and cross-cultural understandings. Drawing on historical and cultural material, policy developments, legislation and research findings, the book provides a critical exploration of key factors including inclusive education, human rights, change, diversity and special educational needs. The contributors focus closely on how these factors are defined and experienced within particular societies.

Inclusive Education across Cultures: Crossing Boundaries, Sharing Ideas brings together multiple perspectives through multiple voices to present a compelling case for inclusive practices, across boundaries in different areas of inclusive education, ranging from policy initiatives to practices on the ground level and advocating and creating awareness. The book is about crossing those false boundaries - north / south, disabled / abled, academic / practitioner, parents / teachers. It encourages the divides we experience, whether they be system or role based, to be bridged. The editors utilize examples that are explicitly disability focused and at the same time present a vision of inclusion that is about societal reform. If we can successfully provide education to our most vulnerable children, the education of all children will improve. One of the main features of the book is the diversity that it portrays. Contributors from around the world have used their knowledge and unique perspectives to provide current research, policies, views, and opinions. Such multiple perspectives helps obtain a global perspective on people with disabilities and inclusion.

Inclusive Physical Education Around the World is the first book to survey inclusive physical education worldwide, to examine the history of inclusive physical education across different regions, and to compare their policy, practice and educational cultures. Featuring the work of leading researchers from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America and South America, the book provides a unique interdisciplinary contribution to the fields of physical education, history and pedagogy. It provides readers with information on the origins and historical development of inclusion in schools and teaches them about different ways that inclusive physical education has grown and is implemented in different countries. This is essential reading for anybody with an interest in physical education, disability sport, adapted physical activity, special educational needs (SEN) teaching or social justice in education. It is a vital resource for postgraduates, researchers and academics who are interested in studies on inclusion and heterogeneity, as well as sport and cultural historians, physical education teachers and students.

`Jagdish Gundara has made a very substantial contribution to the field with this work and it is to the rest of us to make connections with it and help in the gigantic tasks of finding solutions′- Tony Booth, Canterbury Christ Church University, British Journal of Educational Studies `This work deals with the question of how education can help in the task of developing cohesive civil societies by turning notions of singular identities into those of multiple ones, and by developing a shared and common value system and public culture. Jadgish S Gundara begins with a mini-biography of his own history, which he describes as an "intercultural apprenticeship", and in which the interweaving of different strands of identity is strikingly described. His first chapter then presents "Multicultural Britain". Here Jadgish S Gundara argues that the post-war immigrant presence has highlighted aspects of British historical diversity - Britain′s permanent multi-culturalism and addresses issues of group identity, culture and racism. Following chapters discuss basic issues in intercultural education; practicing intercultural education; post-school intercultural education; interculturalism in Europe; the role of the state; building a common and shared value system; Asian and global perspectives; and knowledge, social science and the curriculum. Jadgish S Gundara has a personal perspective on education issues influenced by his involvement for many years. This is an eloquent book′ - Race Relations `Jagdish S Gundara′s own early experiences have given him unique insights into both the problems and the possibilities of relationships between cultures. His book reflects a life dedicated to fostering positive intercultural relations and provides an analysis of the role of education in overcoming the barriers. All who are interested in building genuinely inclusive notions of education and citizenship will benefit from reading this impressive book′ - Geoff Whitty, Karl Mannheim Professor of Sociology of Education, University of London `This is a most interesting, accessible and useful book, which deserves to be read by a wide range of education practitioners from school, further education and not least the policy makers in these sectors′ - Stephen Bigger, Escalate Jagdish S Gundara raises a range of critical issues for educators as a consequence of historical and contemporary aspects of social diversity. Using a historical and social science framework, the author examines issues concerning national minorities and immigrant communities. He outlines a view of multicultural Britain, and shows how education at all levels needs to change to embrace an intercultural position. The book also deals with interculturalism in Europe and Asia, the role of state organizations, and the need to foster `communities of hope′. Based on the authors professional experience in schools, the community and further and higher education, the book assumes no detailed knowledge, and aims to make the concepts of intercultural education accessible to a wide audience.

This book engages readers with real-world scenarios and critical reviews on the growth of inclusive education around the world. It investigates education, equity, and the sociocultural differences in public education systems.

What does inclusion really mean and what impact have inclusive approaches to education had on practice? Bringing together issues of theory, research, policy and practice from both the countries of the South and the North, this ground-breaking book provides a critical discussion of recent developments in the field of inclusive education. The authors consider developments, both in current thinking about the meaning of inclusion and in terms of policies and practices, in the context of education systems across the world and their differences and inter-relatedness. Topics covered include the increasing pressure on educators to develop a global policy agenda for inclusive education, the individual needs of children, the illusion of inclusivity and the importance of local contexts in determining policy. The book′s international perspective illuminates common successes, failures and concerns. With case studies from Europe, the Caribbean and Australasia, the book also features chapter summaries, questions to facilitate critical thinking and discussion, case studies and suggestions for further reading. An essential read for anyone studying inclusive education, special educational needs, disability studies, social policy and international and comparative education, this book will ignite debate and enable the reader to develop a deep understanding of the issues. Ann Cheryl Armstrong is the Director of the Division of Professional Learning, Derrick Armstrong is Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education) and Professor of Education and Ilektra Spandagou is a Lecturer in Inclusive Education. They are all based at the University of Sydney, Australia.

The potential of adopting inclusive education to support learning for all is an international phenomenon that is finding its way to the Middle East and the Arabian region. Eman Gaad examines the current status of inclusive education in Arabia and the Middle East through an assessment of the latest international, regional, and local research into inclusive education. With a focus on the more complex areas of related cultural practice and attitudes towards inclusive education in this dynamic and fast-changing part of the world, Gaad offers a research-based analysis of the current educational status of the Arabian Gulf and some Middle Eastern countries that adopted inclusive practice in education, and others that are yet to follow. This book will be of great interest to students, academics, teachers, and therapists in the field of comparative and inclusive education as well as those with an interest in policies of education in the dynamic and culturally distinguished Middle Eastern Arabian region.