The Change in Thinking about Social Integration of People with Disabilities in Educational Context

Abstract

The idea of social integration of people with disabilities is widely known, accepted and implemented in many areas of social life. It should be noted, however, that in more than forty years history of promoting integration in Poland, significant changes regarding the very concept of integration and understanding the determinants of its effects have been visible. The experience of teachers undertaking integrative teaching and scientific reflection have been the source of these changes, changes regarding: static (state)/dynamic (process) approach to integration, individual/social dimension of integration of people with disabilities, total/fragmentary nature of social integration are the most radical. In the aspect of changes in terms of social integration, particular attention is devoted to the conditions of integration in education of children with disabilities: positive attitudes of children towards disabled peers, preparation of a child with disability for integration, teacher - his knowledge, skills, attitude.