This research paper on peer buddy systems came out recently which identified and reviewed strategies to include students with disabilities in the classroom. It also contains a great range of resources to build “buddy programs” to help include students with disability.

How can we implement buddy programs in a way which allows seriously sick students to be included in the classroom?

“The Disability Education Act 2004 (IDEA) and Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) had given students with disabilities the right to be included in the general education classroom. With that comes a challenge for teachers as they must find ways to reach every student. The purpose of this project is to provide a way of achieving that goal.. The Buddy System, for example, is a supportive method for teachers. General education students are paired up with students that need assistance. These students take on the role of assistant teacher/mentor to help guide their peers through classroom activities and assignments. With everyone on board, administrators, teachers, students, and parents, the system outlined in this project can help ensure students with disabilities are being provided a quality education.”

Full article available at: https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/etd/1611/