Learning and Belonging: A Framework for Designing Inclusion

What does meaningful inclusion look like in the daily experiences of students with disabilities? Too often, educators are asked to focus on programs, placements, or compliance requirements without a clear way to examine how students experience not only learning but also belonging. In this innovative book, a team of inclusion experts offers a practical framework for understanding and improving inclusive education through the lens of student experience.

Drawing on decades of research and practice, the authors challenge the false choice between learning and belonging, demonstrating how both are essential to student success. Through a framework of Principles + Features + Continuum, educators will analyze current practices, identify barriers, and redesign supports that foster meaningful participation and membership.

Readers will gain:

• A practical framework built around five Features of student experience: location, accessibility, participation, affirmation, and agency
• Tools for examining and improving student experiences across classrooms, routines, and school environments
• Guidance for recognizing and addressing ableism in everyday design decisions
• Strategies for strengthening belonging, participation, and agency for all learners

Accessible, actionable, and packed with activities, vignettes, and online resources, Learning and Belonging equips educators with tools to create learning environments where every student is valued, included, and supported to thrive.