History of inclusive physical education in Asia

Abstract

Special education in Asian countries has a relatively short history. In many cases children with disabilities were not part of any formal education system until the early 1900s when Western missionaries created special schools for children with visual impairments and children with hearing impairments. Special schools continued to dominate special education well into the late 20th century, even though many Asian countries had passed legislation that encouraged placement of children with disabilities in general education schools. In the past twenty years more inclusive opportunities have become available and have been promoted by national governments, but the reality is that most children with disabilities in Asia continue to attend special schools or special classes within general education schools. In terms of physical education, special schools often have trained physical educators, but physical educators in general education schools are not prepared or do not have the experience to accommodate children with disabilities. The purpose of this chapter is to take the cases of China, Japan and South Korea to exemplify the history of special education in Asia and the gradual move towards inclusion in special education and in physical education.