EASPD

When talking about the right to inclusive and high quality education for all, we have come a long way over the last decades. Since the Salamanca Statement of 1994, there is a political will within the 27 EU countries to carry out the necessary changes in the field of legislation and school organisation. Both on European & national levels, authorities worked on the realisation of legal frameworks facilitating inclusive education for all within the frame of their competence:

• Salamanca Statement (1994)
• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (Article 24, Education)
• Protocol to the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (European Convention on Human Rights), Article 2 Right to Education.
• European Social Charter (revised), Articles 15 and 17
• Council of Europe Disability Action Plan 2006-2015 (Action Line 4, Education, and cross-cutting aspects)
• Etc.

These declarations and policy documents clearly state that all children and adults with a disability (and their families):

• have the same right to high quality and appropriate education as everyone else, in order to maximize their potential and to make their contribution to an inclusive society
• have the right to choose and receive education in an inclusive environment
• have the right to specific resources and expertise to meet their educational, therapeutic and citizenship needs
• have the right to services which at all times act in their best interest.

Still, we have a long way ahead before reaching a society where equal opportunities are guaranteed for all. Inclusive and high quality education is a key means to achieve this goal. Therefore, it is very important to keep track of the developments in Europe and gather expertise in the field. This is the function of EASPD's Standing Committee on Education.

You will find all outcomes and position papers of this working group on this section of the website. For further questions, please contact goedele.avau(at)easpd.eu 

Council Conclusions on the social dimension of education and training

On the 11th of May 2010, The Council of the European Union adopted the Conclusions on the social dimension of education and training.

In this document, the social inclusion through education and training has been emphasised, in order to ensure equal opportunities for access to quality education, as well as equity in treatment by adapting provision to individuals’ needs.

You can read the full text here.

Conference 'Salamanca, 15 years on - Inclusion, a School for All'

On the 12th and the 13th of November 2009, a conference on Inclusive Education was organised by EASPD, in partnership with the Education Sub Committee of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies in Ireland.

As one of the results, a new manifesto for change was produced.

You can read the full 'Dublin Manifesto on Inclusive Education' here: