Cultural factors currently affecting inclusive practice - Asia

In present-day Asia many countries have laws that require inclusion of students with special educational needs (SEN) including those with disabilities in general education schools and subsequently in general physical education classes. However, the reality is that many children with severe or multiple disabilities often attend special schools. Even when placed in general education schools some children with SEN in Asia attend special classes and have little interaction with their peers without SEN. In those occasions in which children with SEN are included in general physical education, physical educators struggle with how to accommodate these students while still delivering the regular curriculum. Lack of training, large class sizes, limited support from administration and other factors play a role in challenges faced by physical educators in Asia trying to include children with SEN. The purpose of this chapter is to take the case of Hong Kong and discuss cultural factors that influence the challenges for physical educators to successfully include children with SEN.