Opinions on Awareness Activities Regarding Inclusive Community Life: Experiences of Pre-Service Teachers

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the opinions of the Special Education teacher candidates about the awareness activities organized in terms of the rights of children with special needs, their social participation, accessibility and contributing to the social inclusion climate. 56 pre-service teachers studying in the 2nd year of the Special Education Department of the Faculty of Education were included in this study. The data of the research carried out in a phenomenological design was collected through the analysis of the forms containing the written opinions of pre-service teachers in the fall term of 2022-2023. By analyzing the data with document analysis technique, it was gathered under five main themes: "Classification of Organized Awareness Activities, Description of Activities Serving Purpose, Importance of Awareness Activities, Activities That Pre-service Teachers Want to Organize and Suggestions for Activities”. In awareness activities, it is noteworthy that the pre-service teachers, who draw attention to social, legal, and physical regulations, emphasize the importance of content that reflects a rights-based view and the fundamental rights of individuals for this purpose. It was also seen that pre-service teachers emphasized the importance of including permanent and continuous awareness activities rather than containing a certain time interval and diversifying them in terms of being aimed at different disability groups. Based on the results of the research, it can be suggested that family and peer participation in awareness activities in inclusive environments, up-to-date and continuity of activities, and information sharing about individuals with special needs can be recommended.