ABSTRACT

This chapter looks at how modern society might evolve to effectively include individuals like Shanidar into its midst. It explores the structure of the World Programme document and provides a brief history of social development. The chapter presents a summary of the World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons (WPACD) and reviews technological and economic practices and trends. The WPACD elaborated three objectives: prevention of disability, including cost-benefit analyses, and equalization of opportunities. Educating pupils with disabilities is thought to cost more than educating other pupils. Genetic disorders could also be reduced through genetic screening and engineering and parent education. In developing nations the initial cost of special education may be far less than regular education. The use of interactive video training schemes and adult education would be specifically designed. A retrospective journey from the future reveals a synergistic relationship between social development, policies, programme trends and the financial implications for special education.