DIRECTORATE GENERAL FOR INTERNAL POLICIES POLICY DEPARTMENT C: CITIZENS' RIGHTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS
PETITIONS
Inclusive education for learners with disabilities
STUDY
Abstract This study, commissioned by the Policy Department for Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs at the request of the Committee on Petitions, has been prepared to examine the issue of inclusive education for learners with disabilities. It provides an overview of definitions for and background to inclusive education, and of the role of international organisations and the European Union in this issue. The study also looks into the situation of inclusive education in the EU Member States and the main perspectives for the future.
PE 596.807
EN
ABOUT THE PUBLICATION This research paper was requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Petitions and was commissioned, overseen and published by the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs. Policy departments provide independent expertise, both in-house and externally, to support European Parliament committees and other parliamentary bodies in shaping legislation and exercising democratic scrutiny over EU external and internal policies. To contact the Policy Department for Citizens’ Rights and Constitutional Affairs, or to subscribe to its newsletter, please write to:
[email protected] Research Administrator Responsible Jos HEEZEN Policy Department C: Citizens' Rights and Constitutional Affairs European Parliament B-1047 Brussels E-mail:
[email protected] AUTHOR(S) European Agency for Special Needs and Inclusive Education: Victoria SORIANO Amanda WATKINS Serge EBERSOLD
LINGUISTIC VERSIONS Original: EN Manuscript completed in September 2017 © European Union, 2017 This document is available on the internet at: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/supporting-analyses
DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed in this document are the sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official position of the European Parliament. Reproduction and translation for non-commercial purposes are authorised, provided the source is acknowledged and the publisher is given prior notice and sent a copy.
Inclusive education for learners with disabilities
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CONTENTS
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS
4
LIST OF FIGURES
5
INTRODUCTION
6
1. DEFINITIONS AND BACKGROUND
7
1.1. Inclusive education: combining performance and equity to respond to increasingly complex societies 7 1.1.1.
Inclusive education: a new approach to schools
7
1.2. From enrolment in mainstream settings, to implementing the right to education 8 1.2.1.
Inclusive education as placement in education
8
1.2.2.
Inclusive education as a process towards equal learning opportunities
8
1.2.3.
Inclusive education towards equal achievement opportunities
8
1.2.4.
Inclusive education towards equal citizenship opportunities
9
2. THE ROLE OF INTERNATIONAL BODIES 2.1. The role of the United Nations
10 10
2.1.1. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
11
2.1.2.
12
The roles of UNESCO and UNICEF
2.2. The role of the OECD
15
3. ACTIONS AT EUROPEAN UNION LEVEL
17
4. THE SITUATION IN THE EU MEMBER STATES
21
5. PERSPECTIVES AND TRENDS
35
5.1. A trend towards inclusive education rooted in an inclusive education agenda
