Being in a diverse environment allows one to distinguish the similarities and differences between oneself and others around them. Within the module overview, it stated, The United States was founded on principles of equality and opportunity for all citizens, but in practice, some groups of citizens have encountered different treatment, which has resulted in less-than-equal opportunities (Hobbs, 2015). In grade schools, most children without intellectual disabilities often see themselves as “normal” students. Students have questioned the inclusion of persons with disabilities in public schools, but should they not be given the same chance as others? We all are humans. However, some students do not understand diversity or how to accept some of the physical differences such as varying abilities. Because of that, students with learning disabilities may face many barriers because of discriminatory practices and beliefs (LDA0, 2020). It is important, not only for children but for adults, to understand and accept diversity in any form whether it is physical or social. Furthermore, diversity among people with varying abilities will be examined in depth through the four lenses of general education. We will explore the history of intellectual disabilities, some causes of intellectual disabilities how persons with disabilities differ in values and culture, and most of all how the disabilities affect the persons daily within society. HISTORY            Many years ago, there was a stigma of persons with intellectual disabilities. People feared them and often mistreated them because they were different. They were called many names that belittled them and degraded them as humans. They were placed in centers secluded from the world. During the 19th century, institutions were developed, and influential people adopted the concept of care and education provisions for persons with intellectual disabilities. The idea of the institutions was not all great, yet it carried on to the 20th century. In 1966, there was a publication of a photograph album that was very dehumanizing, displaying intellectually handicapped and mentally ill persons in isolation. “They showed pictures of adults and children naked or dressed in inappropriate clothes of the cheapest quality; closed in isolated rooms without handles” (Zakrzewska-Manterys,2015). Years later Dr. Wolf Wolfensberger exposed the idea of Normalization. Dr. Wolfensberger’s Normalization principle concentrated on improvement within the lives of the people who were known as mentally retarded. Normalization began in Scandinavian countries but Wolfensberger decided to take on the principle and teach about it amongst the North American people. From the years 1945 until 1975 were called the “Golden Age”. This during the segregation police which fostered the acceptance, social integration, and inclusion of persons with disabilities (Zakrzewska-Manterys, 2015). Throughout time the services for intellectual disabilities have ch.

1. Being in a diverse environment allows one to distinguish
the similarities and differences between oneself and others
around them. Within the module overview, it stated, The United
States was founded on principles of equality and opportunity for
all citizens, but in practice, some groups of citizens have
encountered different treatment, which has resulted in less-than-
equal opportunities (Hobbs, 2015). In grade schools, most
children without intellectual disabilities often see themselves as
“normal” students. Students have questioned the inclusion of
persons with disabilities in public schools, but should they not
be given the same chance as others? We all are humans.
However, some students do not understand diversity or how to
accept some of the physical differences such as varying
abilities. Because of that, students with learning disabilities
may face many barriers because of discriminatory practices and
beliefs (LDA0, 2020). It is important, not only for children but
for adults, to understand and accept diversity in any form
whether it is physical or social. Furthermore, diversity among
people with varying abilities will be examined in depth through
the four lenses of general education. We will explore the history
of intellectual disabilities, some causes of intellectual
disabilities how persons with disabilities differ in values and
culture, and most of all how the disabilities affect the persons
daily within society.
HISTORY
Many years ago, there was a stigma of persons with
intellectual disabilities. People feared them and often mistreated
them because they were different. They were called many names
that belittled them and degraded them as humans. They were
placed in centers secluded from the world. During the 19th
century, institutions were developed, and influential people
adopted the concept of care and education provisions for
persons with intellectual disabilities. The idea of the
institutions was not all great, yet it carried on to the 20th

2. century. In 1966, there was a publication of a photograph album
that was very dehumanizing, displaying intellectually
handicapped and mentally ill persons in isolation. “They
showed pictures of adults and children naked or dressed in
inappropriate clothes of the cheapest quality; closed in isolated
rooms without handles” (Zakrzewska-Manterys,2015). Years
later Dr. Wolf Wolfensberger exposed the idea of
Normalization. Dr. Wolfensberger’s Normalization principle
concentrated on improvement within the lives of the people who
were known as mentally retarded. Normalization began in
Scandinavian countries but Wolfensberger decided to take on
the principle and teach about it amongst the North American
people. From the years 1945 until 1975 were called the “Golden
Age”. This during the segregation police which fostered the
acceptance, social integration, and inclusion of persons with
disabilities (Zakrzewska-Manterys, 2015). Throughout time the
services for intellectual disabilities have changed. Many
changes from how they treated and even what they have been
called or referred to as. They went from persons being mentally
handicapped to mental retardation and now being known as
persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Due to
their overwhelming history and the many influential people who
have made a difference, today’s society has given great care and
respect to those persons living with disabilities.
HUMANITIES
Have you ever been curious to know what it is like for
persons with disabilities to learn or what it's like to teach them?
Even more exciting is knowing that they too have special gifts
that make them capable of understanding such creative artwork
like music or fine art like paintings and drawings. Note that it
should not be expected for all persons with disabilities to have a
remarkable talent, but some do. Through the lens of humanities,
we gain insight into how these persons can express themselves
through their creative works of art and talent. Many of us in the
world learn by watching one another and as do they. There is no
big difference. Just like many children without disabilities

3. pretend they are superheroes and they place a sheet or towel
around their neck as their cape, well the children with
disabilities sometimes do the same just in a different demeanor.
They hide behind their talent or use their talent as their boost of
confidence. It allows them to feel somewhat normal and
compare their similarities with the other children that are unlike
them. Arts allow such persons to feel humanized and part of
something so spectacular while using color, shapes, and pictures
to visualize what they have in mind. “The arts are intellectual
disciplines. Drawing and painting reinforce motor skills while
Music teaches children about rhythm, sound, and pitch” (NCLD,
2009). Furthermore, art strategies have shown to be productive
in education as it allows the person to show their abilities in
various creative ways while exploring self-worth, confidence,
and success in many areas.
NATURAL SCIENCES
The very first question parents have when they give
birth to a child with disabilities is; HOW? Research implies that
a mother with severe mental illness is at risk of giving birth
with complications that implicate intellectual disabilities (Patsy
Di Prinzio et. al, 2018). But does that mean every mother
whoever gave birth to a child with disabilities has a psychotic
illness? Most certainly not. Most intellectual disability cases
are caused by chromosome abnormalities or congenital defects.
“Congenital defects are problems that occur during the
development of the person when they are in utero (in the
mother’s womb) and due to a mutation or error in the genetic
coding of their genes or chromosomes”( CDC, 2015). Cognitive
functioning and a problem with motor skills are major effects
caused by genetic factors. According to the National Science
Teaching Association, a learning disability is a neurological
disorder that causes difficulty in organizing information
received. This can interfere with how information is kept thus
causing basic functions such as reading, writing, and
understanding words. (NSTA,2020). Many cases of intellectual
disabilities cause people to be left in predicaments of not being

4. able to do certain things for themselves or their abilities are
limited. Over the year’s technology has evolved and scientists
have been motivated year after year to develop wonderful
adaptive equipment for persons with disabilities. Just like
everyone else they want to someday be able to interact with
peers in social gatherings or perhaps just obtain the ability to do
for themself. Global Cooperation on Assistive Technology
(GATE) was a program created by The World Health
Organization. “The GATE program’s objective is to improve
access to high quality, affordable assistive products for people
with varying disabilities, diseases, and age-related conditions”
(Boot et. al, 2017). Assistive technology has helped persons
with intellectual disabilities gain some sort of control over their
daily functioning and mobility. The various items promote
independence and decrease the need for more support. Though
some persons are not fully capable of making choices that
support autonomy, assistive technology decreases the
restrictions that are related to their disability. Without these
supports’ somethings are just impossible for them. Overall,
together with natural and applied sciences have developed an
amazing world for persons with intellectual disabilities whether
it is with new robotic technology or a profound treatment for
diagnosed genetic disorders.
SOCIAL SCIENCE
With a social science perspective, you wonder about the
limitations and barriers that come with the integration of
persons with intellectual disabilities. Similar to the humanities,
yet this time you want to focus on the relationships that are
built amongst the persons and how it has an impact on them.
Maya Angelou stated, “I've learned that people will forget what
you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never
forget how you made them feel.” I love this quote because I find
it true. We sometimes forget that everyone has feelings and we
react to them, even persons with intellectual disabilities. Often
you may encounter a child, not excluding those without a
disability, which becomes an introvert around a particular

5. person, on the other hand, when they are with you, they may be
the opposite. Or a better example, I worked with a person with
Down Syndrome. Every time I relieved the shift before me, they
complained of her spitting on them, with me she never
displayed such actions. I think it was because I have made an
effort to build a bond with her and treat her like a normal
person with little accommodations. It is important for anyone as
the caregiver or educator of these people to build a quality
relationship, such as teacher-student or staff -individual, which
includes respect and dignity no matter what. We must keep in
mind Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which applies to all humans.
Research has shown that a positive rapport between caretaker or
educator enhances positive behavior in persons with intellectual
disabilities. It is often difficult for persons with disabilities to
have friendships or any type of relationship outside their family
or the people they encounter daily (teacher, caretaker, nurse).
Studies reveal that friendship predicts improved outcomes in
almost every area of one's life (Friedman & Rizzolo, 2018).
Therefore when you come across any person for that matter
remember that Social Exclusion is painful but Social Inclusion
is gainful.
References
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Intellectual Disability and Assistive Technology: Opening
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015c, February
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Hughes, E. M., Ryan, J. B., & Green, J. M. (2011). The Use of
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Young Adult With an Intellectual Disability. Journal of Special
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an intellectual disability and their support staff : to what
extent is rapport a useful and measurable concept?
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario. 2020. Learning
Disabilities and Diversity: A Culturally Responsive Approach.
https://www.ldatschool.ca/culturally-responsive- pedagogy/
National Center for Learning Disabilities. 2009. Learning
Disabilities and the Arts. LD Online Works.
http://www.ldonline.org/article/30031/
National Science Teaching Association. 2020. Science for
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https://www.nsta.org/disabilities/learning.aspx
Patsy Di Prinzio, M. B., Vera A. Morgan, M. S. S., Jonas Björk,
P. D., Maxine Croft, P. D., Ashleigh Lin, P. D., Assen
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