@hanshotfirst - This is a great post, which I hope reaches far and wide. I completely agree with what you are saying:

This model allows for students with disabilities to be educated along side their peers without disabilities instead of being isolated from them in a separate setting with a different teacher. Not only does this model fulfill the spirit of the special education laws in the United States which dictate that a student should be educated in the "least restrictive environment", it also provides students with disabilities equal access to the social and educational benefits their peers receive.

I am very fortunate to be able to say that my sons school is very inclusive in this respect. They have at least one or two special needs kids in every class in their school and they are taught in the same class by the same teachers. They have their personal facilitators alongside them too.

Personally I think it is not only important that children with special needs be afforded the opportunity to integrate in normal society, but also for the children that do not have any special needs to be exposed to them too, as it teaches them not to be cruel. It teaches them to accept them just like everyone else and that is VERY important too!

Great post as usual!