Exploring disability, inclusion, 

and equity in education —

through research, reflection, and practice.

This platform connects research and practice to reimagine how disability is understood—and how inclusion is shaped in everyday school life.

Guides for Educators

These guides extend broader conversations into classroom practice, focusing on how language, interaction, and interpretation shape inclusion and belonging.

Featured Guide  

Shared Language Does Not Always Mean Shared Meaning: What Does Inclusion Really Mean?

In schools, inclusion is often defined by placement—but experienced through interaction. This guide examines how communication, participation, and belonging take shape in everyday moments, particularly for students who are non-speaking. 👉 Read the Guide →

Podcast Series: Research & Perspectives

Identification Challenges in Special Education

Episodes explore systemic issues in education, including disproportionate identification, cultural and linguistic diversity, and the role of stigma and bias.

Identification Challenges in Special Education: Welcome to "Identification Challenges in Special Education," a podcast dedicated to unraveling the complex web of barriers that prevent children with disabilities from receiving the support they deserve. I'm your host, Ayumi Furusawa, and I'm delighted to have you join me on this journey. Whether you're a parent, educator, healthcare professional, or an advocate for educational equity, this series is crafted with you in mind.

Imagine walking through a maze where every turn presents a new obstacle—some visible, others hidden in shadows. This is the reality many families and educators face in the special education system today. Our mission is to illuminate these challenges—like disproportionate identification, delayed identification, misidentification, and lack of identification—that hinder access to essential support (Connelly, 2021).

Using the DSRP systems thinking model—Distinctions, Systems, Relationships, and Perspectives—we'll explore the systemic factors contributing to these issues (Cabrera & Cabrera, 2015). We'll delve into historical inequities, cultural stigmas, implicit biases, policy implications, and more. But this isn't just an academic exploration; it's a heartfelt conversation aimed at fostering empathy, awareness, and understanding.

So, whether you're sipping your morning coffee or taking an evening walk, let's embark on this journey together. Let's navigate the maze, uncover hidden barriers, and gain fresh insights into the complexities of special education identification.

Join me, and let's work towards a future where every child's unique strengths are recognized and nurtured.

ポッドキャストシリーズ「特別支援教育における課題」へようこそ。

こんにちは。ホストの古澤あゆみです。障害のある子どもたちが必要な支援を受けられない―そんな現実を少しでも解きほぐしたくて、この番組を始めました。親御さん、教育に携わる方、医療や福祉の方、教育の公平さを願う人たち、どなたにも届くようにお話ししていきます。

たとえるなら、私たちは迷路の中にいます。目に見える壁もあれば、気づきにくい仕掛けもあります。そこを歩く家族や先生たちが、曲がり角ごとに新しい困難にぶつかっているのが現実です。番組では、不均衡な識別、識別の遅れ、誤認、そしてそもそも識別されない問題など、支援へのアクセスを阻むさまざまな障壁を一つずつ照らしていきます。

考え方の枠組みにはDSRP（区別、システム、関係、視点）というシステム思考モデルを用います。歴史的な不平等、文化や偏見、制度や政策の影響など、問題の根っこにある要因を体系的に探ります。ただしこれは単なる学術的検討にとどめず、共感と理解を深める対話を目指しています。

朝のひとときや散歩のお供に、気軽に聞いてみてください。一緒に迷路を歩きながら、見えにくい障壁を見つけ、識別の課題について新しい視点を育てていきましょう。すべての子どもが、その個性や能力を正しく認識され、その子の良さが最大限に伸ばされる社会を目指して。