From segregation to integration : the development of special education in Queensland

Swan, Geoffrey James. (1997). From segregation to integration : the development of special education in Queensland PhD Thesis, Graduate School of Education, The University of Queensland.

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Author Swan, Geoffrey James.
Thesis Title From segregation to integration : the development of special education in Queensland
School, Centre or Institute Graduate School of Education
Institution The University of Queensland
Publication date 1997
Thesis type PhD Thesis
Total pages 321
Language eng
Subjects 130312 Special Education and Disability
Formatted abstract The initial chapters deal with the nature of special education and the boundaries of the study are defined. The study is concerned with the provision of education for children with a disability in the state of Queensland, first settled by Europeans in 1824, independent colony in 1859 and constituent state of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. These events provide a framework for reviewing the early development of education with a particular focus on the identification of children with a disability and their limited prospects. The dependence on trends and developments in other places, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States of America is acknowledged.

Details are given of Queensland's first special education provision which entailed sending children who were either deaf or blind to the New South Wales Institution for the Deaf, Dumb and the Blind until 1893 when the Queensland Institute for the Blind, Deaf and Dumb opened.

The efforts of two significant pioneers of special education in Queensland, John William Tighe (1858-1909), itinerant blind teacher of the blind and Edith Bryan (1872-1963), a trained teacher of the deaf who brought with her considerable experience and knowledge from the United Kingdom, are also acknowledged.

Following the pattern in other places a school for the blind and the deaf was the only special provision until 1924 when the efforts of John Faulkner Bevington (1871-1944), Inspector of Schools organized Classes for the Backward, a name changed in 1926 to Opportunity Classes. This was the only state initiative for decades.

The inter-relationship of medicine and special education is brought to notice, for instance, the consequences of rubella (German measles) and poliomyelitis (infantile paralysis) are detailed. Information about the eugenics movement and the development of the school health services is also given.

The education revolution of the fifties and the influence of Fred Schonell (1900-1969) and Eleanor Schonell (1902-1960) which heralded a period of  professional growth and development are seen as a high point. It was also the time of the appointment of William Wood (born 1911) and the establishment of the Research and Guidance Branch and tighter centralized control of special education and reform of the existing facilities.

Recognition is given to the expanding role of voluntary organizations whose service and advocacy dimensions are quintessential aspects of special education in Queensland. Some reference is made to the infusion of Commonwealth money during the seventies marking a period of enormous expansion in all aspects of special education.

Enabling legislation is discussed where appropriate as are available policy documents. Where available some comments from former students, parents and teachers have been included.
Keyword Special education -- Queensland
Special education -- Queensland -- History
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Variant title: Development of special education in Queensland.

 
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