Submissions
We make various submissions on employment matters relating to people with disabilities
National Education Legislation and Policies
We provide evidence-based policy advice where relevant in relation to legislation, policies, strategies and plans relevant to the education of students with disabilities.
Education Research
We have published research on areas covering the accessibility of schools, individual education plans for children with disabilities and parental educational expectations of children with disabilities.
Career Guidance for Students with Additional Needs
We have published a literature review and policy paper examining best practice in career guidance for students with additional needs.
Education and UNCRPD
The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) promotes the realisation of the right of persons with disabilities to education through Article 24 - Education.
This requires that Ireland “recognize the right of persons with disabilities to education and ensure an inclusive education system.
Ireland must ensure that people with disabilities are able to access general tertiary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning without discrimination and on an equal basis with others.
Article 24 states that:
People with disabilities shall not be excluded from the general education system on the basis of disability and that they can access an inclusive, quality and free primary education and secondary education on an equal basis with others in the communities in which they live
Ireland must provide reasonable accommodation of a person’s requirements and that people must receive the support they need within the general education system
Ireland must ensure that the education of people who are blind, deaf or deafblind, is delivered in the most appropriate languages and modes and means of communication for the individual
Ireland must facilitate the learning of Irish Sign Language and the promotion of the linguistic identity of the Deaf community. In addition, it covers measures to employ teachers, including disabled teachers, who are qualified in Irish Sign Language and/or Braille
We developed a series of in-depth papers on individual UNCRPD articles.
These papers detail the main data available relevant to specific Articles and provide an overview of key policies, programmes, services, supports and data that exist in the Irish context.
Our paper on Article 24 outlines the main policies, programmes, services, supports and data available on inclusive education in Ireland. This paper will be published soon.