“This Is How We Do It”: Teachers’ Reflections on Inclusion and Accessibility in Brazilian Classrooms

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Thursday 1:45 pm Four Seasons Ballroom 2-3
  In Roundtable Session: Perceptions and Practices in Inclusive Education: Teachers' Insights (Table 10)

Abstract

The enrolment of students with disabilities in the Brazilian school system surpasses 2 million people, according to the last national education survey (Brasil, 2024). Despite the gains concerning access to schools, there are many challenges affecting the education of students with disabilities in the school systems. Given this scenario, this paper aims to analyze how six teachers from three states in the Northeast of Brazil understand their experiences involving students with disabilities in their classrooms. The analyses of reports of experience written by the teachers indicate that, despite socio-emotional challenges and lack of support, elements like teachers’ relationships with students and teachers’ individual acts of resilience allow them to overcome the lack of material and human resources in most schools.

Authors

• Angelica Maia, University of British Columbia

• Rosycléa Dantas, Universidade Federal da Paraíba