For more than 25 years, society's attitudes towards people with disabilities have changed considerably. As a result, the education of students with disabilities has undergone a significant transformation. Particular social and historical events, both international and national, have played a vital role in influencing the development of inclusive education in Australia (Thomas and Loxley, 2007). Furthermore, the history of societal attitudes towards difference has had a major influence on the formation of policies and legislation related to inclusiveness, as well as how society accepts difference today. today. This critical reflection aims to identify the values ​​underlying inclusive education policies and legislation, and the influence they may have on societal attitudes towards acceptance of difference. I will also reflect on my expanded understanding of what it means to be inclusive and the impact this has had on my future implications for teaching. Dating back to the 1800s and before, society's perspectives toward people with disabilities were poorly understood. This “lack of understanding” has consequently led to ridicule, rejection, labeling and stigmatization not only of people with disabilities, but also of people different from the “norm” of society (Duke, 2009, p. 3). Over the years, social attitudes have evolved significantly, particularly regarding how students with disabilities should be educated. These social attitudes of the past and the contemporary attitudes of today's society have ultimately guided the development of a more inclusive society. According to Konza (2008), “nominalization” is an important factor in changing societal attitudes. Nominalization encompasses the notion that people with disabilities are entitled to “...... middle of paper ...... Australian Human Rights Commission. (2009). Disability Discrimination Act 2005. Retrieved March 8, 2010 from http://www.hreoc.gov.au/disability_rights/standards/standards.html Duke, J. (2009). Discussion paper on inclusive education. Retrieved March 8, 2010 from http://eprints.qut.edu.au/26314/1/c26314.pdfForeman, P. (2008). Inclusion in action. Victoria: Cengage Learning Australia Konza, D. (2008). Inclusion of disabled students in new times: meeting the challenge. Retrieved March 8, 2010, from http://ro.uow.edu.au/edupapers/36Thomas, G. & Loxley, A. (2001). Deconstructing special education and building inclusion. Buckingham: Open University Press. Queensland Education (2005). Declaration on inclusive education. Retrieved March 11, 2010 from http://education.qld.gov.au/studentservices/learning/docs/includedstatement2005