As an education practitioner, I used to think that everyone has an equal right to education. But in Greece, children with disabilities do not fully share this right. For example, the government does not recognize braille as an official writing system for the visually impaired, there are few schools for the deaf, and English is often not taught at schools for the physically disabled. While many students can still attend general schools, most teachers don’t have the training needed to create an inclusive
syllabus. This mismatch leads to more and more students dropping out due to isolation. I have seen several such students, and I quickly realized that I could not ignore what was happening.
Disability is not a hindrance to education; it is just one of the many special abilities that an individual has. Therefore, they should have the same right to education as all other children in the world. Over the years, it has become a dream of mine to ensure that children with and without disabilities have equal access to educational opportunities.
Many teachers focus on transferring knowledge rather than respecting the individuality of their students. My method of reaching students is a bit more unique. I learned Greek Sign Language and braille so I could teach English to children and adults with special abilities and hold inclusivity workshops. I always try to incorporate English as much as possible because English is the key to exploring the world. In class, my students use the newest technologies to create original content such as slides and video presentations. For group work, students collaborate on writing thesis papers and creating presentations. I prepare class materials using sign language, braille, or text depending on each student’s needs, and use Prezi to make interactive presentations for students to review.
We don’t exactly live in a world that is sympathetic to those with disabilities. But we can help make the world kinder for the next generation if we continue to work together, no matter how small the effort may seem. As a teacher, I am there not only to improve my students’ academic performance but also to expand their horizons. Teachers must stay up to date and share their vision for a better future with their students. In other words, teaching is about continuing to learn. Education to all children! To achieve this dream, I will never stop learning.