- Testimony of Desirée Brown
Desirée Brown
District of Columbia Resident and Parent
Council of the District of Columbia
Committee of the Whole
The State of Special Education and the Strategy for Inclusion
Good Morning Chairman Gray and Members of the Council of the District of
Columbia. My name is Desirée Brown and I come to you today as a District
Resident and Parent of two children one who has a disability.
My testimony today is in support of the Inclusion of Students with disabilities or
special healthcare needs accessing Special Education services.
Inclusive schools are places where children and youth are not marginalized due to
disability, gender, socio-economic status, cultural heritage, language preference or
religion.
I have the privilege of being the niece of Mr. Billie Anthony a 57 year old adult
with Down Syndrome. During my youth, my uncle was a big part of my life. Of
course we knew that he was different than our other aunts and uncles (of which he
is one of 11) but because no one in the family treated him differently he was
simply “Uncle Bill”. When we ate, he ate, when we played he babysat, when we
shopped he shopped and when we traveled so did he. Little did I know that this
practice that I inherited and implemented in my immediate household was
Inclusion. We thought it was just the way things are.
My home is inclusive. When John came home, we shifted our way of thinking and
became creative in supporting him. Our goal was to ensure that he achieved his
maximum potential. I have to admit that although it went without question to
include him it was not an easy task. The in-home accommodations were simpler
than accommodating his learning and understanding. As a family we had to
become educated and informed.
Today he is a very happy, thoughtful, generous and intelligent sixth grader who
loves to laugh.
I strongly believe that his success stems from our inclusive household AND his
inclusive school and community. He learns best from his peers with and without
disabilities.
It is my belief that Inclusion ensures his place in society, solidifies his sense of
belonging, allows him to foster relationships he may not otherwise have had and
allowed him to learn as his peers learned.
An added bonus of his presence in the classroom is increased disability awareness.
Students asked questions regarding his casts, braces, surgeries and absences. With
simple answers they were satisfied. His classmates were accepting and willing to
support him.
Does he still have challenges? Absolutely. None of this has been easy nor will it
continue to be!
The District has to change the way in which we support children, youth, families
and their schools to achieve full inclusion. This takes an unwavering dedication
and commitment to students and their families.
There are many proponents for OR against inclusion but research shows that if
done correctly all children can learn and be successful within a shared academic
environment. With culturally responsive educational strategies, differentiated
instruction and positive behavioral supports; inclusive schools offer all students
opportunities and support that will allow them to become self-determined,
productive, and socially involved citizens.
Inclusive schools can shape the future of education and each child who enters an
inclusive school presents new opportunities for the whole school community.
For the past 10 years, I have had the opportunity to work on behalf of families who
have a child or other family member with a disability or special healthcare need.
My focus and efforts have been similarly themed around family supports,
educational advocacy and family empowerment. My employers have been
flexible, understanding, welcoming and generous. They all have embodied
inclusion of parents and their children and they have adapted. As difficult as it is
to maintain this level of supports for employees they continue to do the work. As a
parent; I cannot expect less of our educational system.
I strongly believe that Inclusion is as subtle as having an “Uncle Bill” who paved
the way for John and no one involved even knowing that this is what occurred.
Thank you for allowing me to speak today and I look forward to the improved
educational systems for children, youth and their families in the District of
Columbia.
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