Professor Tiece M. Ruffin, an Associate Professor of Education, has called on the society to ensure that the younger generation are nurtured and socialized with the requisite skills to enable them consolidate gains made in the society.
In this regard, she said, it is important that children and youth with disabilities are included into the mainstream educational policy and delivery system.
Prof Ruffin, U.S Fulbright Scholar currently attached to the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) Department of Special Education, made the call at a recent workshop on ‘Supporting Inclusive Education in Ghana via Universal Design for Learning (UDL): concert examples for UDL implementation’.
Participants at the capacity building workshop included selected teachers, staff of Effutu Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Community Health Service Students in Winneba.
It was organized by Campaign for learning Disabilities (CLED), a non-governmental organization, in collaboration with the Department of Special Education held at Winneba.Prof Ruffin said UDL is a framework for teaching and learning that includes proactive planning of curricula (goals, assessment, methods and materials).
She said there is the need to promote UDL/learner friendly school environment to enhance the quality of education for all learners.Prof Ruffin said the adoption of the four concreate tools “the Circle Map, Numbered Heads Together, Frayer Model and Choice Board” by teachers will help in the implementation of the UDL framework successfully.
Other areas highlighted during the deliberation include: a human rights based education and a matter of equity; Inclusive Ghana’s Context, Inclusive education in Ghana, Definitions of Circle map, Numbered heads together, Frayer Model, Choice and UDL, UDL principles, Education personal awareness of UDL and its utility in Ghana.
Mr Padmore Quansah, Chief Executive Officer of CLED, said the organization started in 2012 and it has since been embarking on awareness creation efforts in churches, schools and various communities.Madam Rose Tenkorang, Effutu Municipal Director of Ghana Education Service, said the UDL is a best way for Ghana’s inclusive classroom and urged participants to attend with seriousness the lessons gained.