Diversity: Diversity literally means difference. Diversity recognizes that though people have things in common with each other, they are also different and unique in many ways. Diversity is about recognizing and valuing those differences. Diversity therefore consists of visible and non-visible factors, which include personal characteristics such as background, culture, personality and work-style in addition to the characteristics that are protected under discrimination legislation in terms of race, disability, gender, religion and belief, sexual orientation and age. By recognizing and understanding our individual differences and embracing them, and moving beyond simple tolerance, we can create a productive environment in which everybody feels valued.
Equality: Equality means treating people in a way that is appropriate for their needs. This ensures that everyone has a chance to take part in society on an equal basis and be treated appropriately.
Inclusion: Educational inclusion is about equal opportunities for all pupils, whatever their age, gender, ethnicity, attainment and background. It pays particular attention to the provision made for, and the achievement of, different groups of pupils within a school.
Discrimination: Discrimination is the prejudicial treatment of an individual based on their membership in a certain group or category.
1.2) Describe the potential effects of discrimination
There are four areas of potential effect of discrimination
• Physical- , Signs of poor health may manifest. Subject could also initiate physical harm to self, attempting suicide, cutting, etc.
• Emotional - Emotional scars seem to run deep and are not healed easily. Could become to believe that persecutors are right, leading to a loss of self worth. Could lead to physical signs of trauma
• Social -. Could lead to more emotional harm, physical harm, intellectual harm, etc.
• Intellectual - Due to unsafe behaviours
Discrimination has a direct effect on children and young people and may prevent them from achieving their full potential. It can make them feel that their efforts are not valued or being recognised by others, which removes the motivation to achieve their positive outcomes. Children who experience discrimination often find it hard to form relationships later in life as a result of their lack of self-worth and self esteem. They can be so affected by the stereotypes applied to them that they start to believe in them and so behave in accordance with people's expectations of them. This then becomes a self fulfilling prophecy. They feel that they are in some way to blame for their unfair treatment and so withdraw into themselves.
Discrimination against a child with special needs makes a child who is very often different to other children feel even more isolated and different to other children. Very often children with special needs have a very difficult time trying to fit in with other children especially if they are in a mainstream school. Sometimes children can be very cruel to others so we should try to make them understand that everyone is different. In our setting we promote inclusion and we treat everyone the same. We explain to all the children that “we are alike but different.”
1.3) Explain how inclusive practise promotes equality and supports diversity
Inclusive practice means to include people from all backgrounds, races and ethnicities, ages etc, therefore it supports diversity as it includes