The Role of Community in Special Education: A Relational Approach

Abstract This chapter addresses the importance of community in fostering transformative learning and living environments for children with special needs. Community is conceptualized as a special kind of relationship between people, who, regardless of geography, share common values, concerns, interests, or experiences. This understanding of community as relationship is linked to the importance of empowering family involvement and decision making as children with special needs navigate the educational system that seeks to help them grow and thrive. This theoretical frame is used to analyze the ways in which the wisdom families have about their children and the wisdom educators have about teaching children who have special needs can be used to nurture life-changing educational experiences.