Jane Christine Justine, a student with a hearing impairment, was the leader of her school innovation team specializing in producing vegan food. Along with her team and their advisory teacher, they initiated a project called “Veganbond” which seeks to produce their own vegan food and raise public awareness on vegan lifestyle. In 2020, she led her team to win three innovation medals in a local innovation competition and two global innovation contests that were virtually hosted in the UK and in Southeast Asia. Veganbond was also a finalist in the 2020 Youth Solution Report produced by SDSN Youth. They presented their project in sign language and this led to major changes made by the event organizers in order to accommodate special needs individuals as only oral presentations were allowed in the past. Her efforts have successfully broken the barriers for special needs individuals especially those with hearing impairments.  Here is a link to their presentation: https://youtu.be/pE774orv8OI

Congratulations Jane!!

Dr. Shyielathy Arumugam is a special educator by profession in Malaysia.  She has dedicated her life to supporting and providing resources about special education and inclusion through her YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/shyielathy81/featured. Her main focus is to incorporate inclusion into every aspect of life. She strongly believes that the value of diversity will not be achieved without inclusion. In efforts to ensure that every child has equal educational opportunities, she fights for inclusion everyday. One of the quotes she lives by is: “If you desire to make a difference in the world, you must be different from the world.” 

Congratulations to Dr. Shyielathy Arumugam as the recipient of the November 2020 World Changers Award!

Stefanus Lucas is a special education teacher at Sekolah Rendah Pendidikan Khas, Sabah, Malaysia. Stefanus has advocated for and changed the perceptions of people with disabilities in Sabah, Malaysia. He has done this by sharing the beautiful experiences of individuals with disabilities on social media and through promoting his special education classes. His inspirational message of “focusing on ability, not disability” is very evident in his music classes and the impact that music can have on people’s lives. Music unites people and allows individuals to communicate ideas and feelings. It includes everyone as everyone can take part in making music together. Stefanus also focuses on our similarities and how we are all human beings who need each other’s love and support.  To see his classes, click on the link: https://youtu.be/4l_CFHwHyiI

Charnin, also known as Ming, attends the International School of Bangkok (ISB) and is a valued member of his grade 3 class.  He will be moving to grade 4 this year, has many friends and learns alongside 35 other students. He loves art, especially drawing. He is an outstanding artist and his teammates go to him for guidance and instruction. Having Ming in ISB classes, taught the school to think about differentiation in a whole new way. His presence inspired deeper thought into how students are taught, making a positive impact on everyone. Ming works in partnerships, small groups, and is more confident and proud of his accomplishments because of peer feedback. Being a valued team-member has improved Ming’s ability to follow directions, seek support from teammates and work alongside others on projects. Ming has had a profound impact on classroom culture. Inclusion means that all students develop social, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as the ability to get along with others in diverse communities. Ming’s outgoing, kind, funny nature established a network of friends that exemplifies ISB’s values of respect, care, integrity and gratitude.

Bee Giek Choo is a teacher who strongly believes that each and every child deserves the right to receive quality education in life.