I share an experience of a man I met in his late thirties, who recently deceased in his early fifties( 1.1.2021). He was born mentally challenge if I might say, slightly physically challenge nothing noticeable really. He never spoke in sentences but repeated words and understood their meanings. I know this because he followed instructions such as ' D  go and close the back door please and then water the lawn. He could have done those things in sequential order. He did house chores willingly. His family included his mom, younger sister, younger brother, one niece and a nephew they all showed him loved and kindness. He enjoyed playing dominoes by himself or with family members.

With all said, D experienced exclusion because his mom felt that he was not safe at school and that the school was catering to his learning needs. He started off attending regular school but by age 10 he stopped attending and never went back period. He was left with nannies after that who just him safe for his mother who had to go to work as she was a single mom with three children. His mom was a registered nurse.

Looking back, it was a really sad fate. Had it been the case where schools were incusive and national policies were put in place to see  to the implementation of these policies, then those teachers back in the sixties would have been better able to manage his learning challenges and plan appropriate lessons to include him. His mother would not have felt the way she did and would have more likely support his learning and made sure he attended school. He passed away being socially excluded . No playmates, no job, no skills, limited recreation. He just existed. Inclusive teaching and learning is definitely the call to better quality education and better lives.