The long journey of students with learning disorders to achieve their inclusion into the regular school system in Chile

Abstract

Chile is one of the Latin American countries where special education emerged relatively early, as the first school for people with disabilities, specifically for deaf students, was founded in 1852. Other schools were later created for students with other types of disabilities. In 1957, the first mixed team of specialists was formed, with representatives from the Neuropsychiatry Service of the Roberto del Río Hospital and the Psychopedagogical Clinic, which represented a major advance in the care of children and adolescents with learning difficulties. In this context, the objective of this article is to present the efforts that have been made over 163 years to fulfill UNESCO's (2005) call for school inclusion. To this end, a qualitative historical study was conducted, with bibliographic and documentary characteristics, using primary sources (laws and decrees) and secondary sources (texts and articles). The conclusion was that inclusive education is fundamental in any society, as it promotes equal opportunities and the appreciation of diversity. Furthermore, it also helps to build a culture of respect for differences and prepare students to live in a plural society.