ERIC Number: EJ891730
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Aug
Pages: 10
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0968-7599
EISSN: N/A
Moving on from Ramps? The Utility of the Social Model of Disability for Facilitating Experiences of Nature for Disabled Children
Von Benzon, Nadia
Disability & Society, v25 n5 p617-626 Aug 2010
Experiences of nature have been shown to be beneficial for disabled children; however, opportunities for disabled children to experience nature are often limited. The social model of disability may provide a theoretical base for increasing access to nature for pupils at Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools. Using results from interviews conducted with teachers from seven SEN schools, considered alongside responses from interviews with staff from six environmental centres, this paper seeks to identify the specific constraints that may act upon the opportunities for disabled pupils to visit environmental centres. The research finds that a "medicalised" approach to access may impede upon environmental centres' ability to cater effectively to the needs of SEN school groups. Dialogue between environmental centres and SEN school teachers is recommended as a means of facilitating SEN school group access.
Descriptors: Educational Needs, Disabilities, Teachers, Students, Attitudes toward Disabilities, Interviews, Special Education, Models, School Districts, Pervasive Developmental Disorders, Surveys, Wildlife, Natural Resources, Environmental Education, Physical Environment, Severity (of Disability)
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: United Kingdom (England); United Kingdom (Scotland)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A