What is a position paper?

Position papers explain what Inclusion International members think about issues that are important to people with intellectual disabilities and their families. The position papers explain what we want the world to look like.

Every country is at a different point in their journey towards inclusion. The steps we take to move toward our goal will look different in every part of the world, but Inclusion International members around the world agree that full inclusion is our goal.

What Inclusive Education means

Article 24 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) says that countries which have ratified (agreed to follow) the CRPD must provide an inclusive education system. 

Article 24, together with general comment 4, guarantees the right of every child with disabilities to attend the same schools as students who don’t have disabilities. It says that children with disabilities should be provided with the support they need to enjoy their right to education.

Inclusive education ensures that persons with disabilities have opportunities to  learn, participate, and develop. Inclusive education leads to persons with disabilities being contributing and valued citizens. Inclusive education helps to build fair societies, where differences are valued, celebrated, and supported. People with intellectual disabilities have a right to be included in education systems and settings that are inclusive of all.

Our goal

We support and advocate for people with intellectual disabilities to have their right to ‘inclusive, quality and equitable education for all’ recognised and responded to. This is in line with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Education systems that are inclusive of all learners ensure positive learning, social and development outcomes for all learners including those who have a disability.

Inclusion International calls for inclusive education systems where all students can:

  • access education, 
  • access related services, for example  communication or sensory  support and adapted learning material.

Why is it important?

Inclusive Education is an important topic for our network.

At the General Assembly in 2018, members agreed to some big ideas about education – like everyone should be allowed to learn together in an inclusive classroom with peers with and without disabilities, and inclusive education benefits society as a whole. Our position papers explains these ideas more.

Having a position paper helps our network have a united voice and helps us to have clear messages for our advocacy. This is important because inclusive education is a big issue for many countries and in global work right now.

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