Inclusive education

Every child should have access to inclusive and equitable quality education

People with disabilities have the right to inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities.

This is stated in Article 24 (Education) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD, United Nations, 2006).

---

The challenge

All around the world children with Down syndrome are being failed by education systems.

They are not given the support that they need to succeed in mainstream schools. Many are pushed into special education systems, excluded or segregated from learning alongside their peers.

Many more children with Down syndrome are denied education altogether.

---

What is inclusive education?

Every child should have access to inclusive and equitable quality education to enhance their opportunities and quality of life.

For children with Down syndrome, this can be realised if:

• full access is provided to education settings, without segregation or exclusion;
• each child is supported to learn and is given the same learning opportunities as others and
• all children have opportunities to develop interests, make friends and gain confidence and independence.   

This is also what we expect for any other child.

What we are describing here is an inclusive education system, one which will deliver better outcomes

---

What we are doing

Check out our current projects:

Project focus - Education guidelines

• WHEN - In July 2020 DSi published our "International Guidelines for the Education of Learners with Down Syndrome".
• WHO WITH - With our members and key global stakeholders.
• WHAT'S HAPPENING - We are translating the guidelines into various languages, distributing toolkits and working with members to support its implementation.

Learn about guidelines

---

Project focus - A pilot study in the UK

• WHEN - For 12 months from September 2021.
• WHO WITH - With our members Down's Syndrome Association and Down's Syndrome Scotland.
• WHAT'S HAPPENING - We are talking to all types of education stakeholders and launching an information campaign promoting inclusive education for all

Learn about study

---

What's next?

We are learning all the time from our current projects. In the future, we hope to work in many countries, with our members, using what we are developing to have a substantial, positive impact on education systems around the world.

---

Sign up.

Sign up to hear more about the work we are doing to improve quality of life for people with Down syndrome around the world.

SIGN-UP - OUR WORK

---

Related education news and events