Culturally Responsive Inclusive Education: The Value of the Local Context

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of a professional development initiative in inclusive education for teachers who support students with disabilities at the Creative Centre. The Creative Centre is a private school providing educational services for post-secondary school young people and adults with disabilities. Staff (N = 5) at the Centre were interviewed before and after the proposed professional development program, reporting on their reflective practices. The results indicated that staff shifted towards a more positive attitude towards students and reported stronger support for the advocacy for disability and community connectedness. Additionally, staff described the significance of embedding life skills into programs for students with disabilities. The article provides a juxtaposing narrative of the journey of the project. The outcomes of the project illustrate how the local culture and context is required to realise the success of effective culturally responsive inclusive education.