Disability and education: The longest road to inclusion

Children with disabilities are one of the many groups of children still not enrolled in primary education in developing countries. However, their educational exclusion and right to education are now receiving more policy attention. This paper reviews some of the key issues and challenges in relation to disability, education and development: definitions and data, policies, service delivery and finance, and capacity development. Drawing on a review of education sector planning and provision in 28 developing countries and other literature, the paper makes comparative reference to policy and practice in a number of developed and developing country contexts.

► Advancing the educational inclusion of disabled children requires consideration of issues of definitions, data, policies, service delivery, finance, capacity development. ► Two-way learning between the global south and north can help to promote inclusive education in developed and developing country contexts. ► Connections between policy on ‘special educational needs’ and other equity issues need to be strengthened. ► The localised aspects of approaches to the development of inclusive education are vital to the success of inclusion. ► Policy commitment to inclusion, with related actions, is the critical issue, rather than one particular model of inclusion.