APPLICATION OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ENVIRONMENTS: A MODEL FOR FACILITATING INCLUSION OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES IN GHANA

Authors

  • Deku Prosper Department of Education and Psychology, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.46827/ejse.v0i0.1019

Keywords:

early childhood education, universal design, inclusive education, children with disabilities

Abstract

With contemporary classrooms becoming increasingly diverse, educational authorities, teachers and school administrators are looking for innovative ways of coping with diversity of students. Historically, barriers to inclusion have been based on the explicit exclusion of individuals with disabilities and other minority groups. In order to create inclusive environments for diverse learners, the system of Early Childhood Education (ECE) centers in Ghana must be totally reconfigured, which will require shifts in our educational practices. The concept of Universality provides an important starting point for educational and social transformation. Situating it on the postmodern theoretical view point, this paper argues that in discussion of the approaches to enhance educational access for students with disabilities in Early Childhood Education in Ghana, the emerging models of Universal Design for Learning must be the focal point. 

 

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Author Biography

  • Deku Prosper, Department of Education and Psychology, University of Cape Coast, Ghana

    The author is an Associate Professor in the Department of Education and Psychology where he teaches Special Education and supervises theses at MPhil and PhD levels. He is currently the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Educational Foundations and the immediate past head of Department of Education and Psychology. He has vast experiences in teaching and preparation of teachers for secondary and basic schools in Ghana. He taught at various levels of education and held many positions. His research interests are in the education of children with special needs and special education teacher preparation for Basic and Early Childhood Education.

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Published

2017-09-07

Issue

Vol 2, No 6 (2017)

Section

Articles

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