Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Learners With Diverse Needs

Abstract

Diversity, inclusion and equity are complex, interdependent and interlinked concepts and embedded in social justice. Diversity summarises numerous differences that exist among people. It means not only people of differing race and culture but also differing languages, religions, values, abilities, socioeconomic status, gender and any other aspect that makes people different from one another. It, therefore, recognises that each person is different even if they belong to the same ethnic group, community or family. Diversity is an evolving concept in inclusive education. While it once referred to children from different ethnic backgrounds, it now encapsulates every kind of individual difference that exists for children, families and professionals. Diversity is the celebration of difference and the acknowledgement that difference is complex and that it exists in some way for every child. Diversity refers to attributes that contribute to each person's uniqueness, such as social class, gender, occupational status, income, sexual orientation, ability, disability, religion, and education.