Thinking about Disabilities in a Primary Inclusive Education Class in Vietnam

Abstract

This Minor Field Study was undertaken in theoutskirts of Hanoi, Vietnam during September and October 2003. The aim was to explore what 10-11 year old primary school children think about disabilities in an Inclusive Education class, i.e. a class with non-disabled children and children with disabilities (CwD). Sixteen children, including four CwD, were interviewed in a semi-structured way. The children mentioned physical disabilities more often than "mental" or "learning" disabilities even though three of the CwD had those kinds of disabilities. More than half the sample seem to think about war-related causes of disabilities. Many interviewees also mentioned that other children treat CwD both "well" and "badly". Some girls and no boys mentioned that they feel sympathy for and want to help persons with disabilities. One-fourth of the children seem to think of disabilities as a deviation.