The right to education is a universal right recognized by international human rights law and, as such, applies to all persons, including persons with disabilities.

Several international instruments, inter alia, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, affirm the core principles of universality and non-discrimination in the enjoyment of the right to education.

Inclusive education has been acknowledged as the most appropriate modality for States to guarantee universality and non-discrimination in the right to education. The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities recognizes that, for persons with disabilities to exercise this right, inclusive education systems must be in place and, consequently, the right to education is a right to inclusive education.

Inclusive education is essential to achieving universality of the right to education, including for persons with disabilities. Only inclusive education systems can provide both quality of education and social development for persons with disabilities.

Inclusive education implies more than placing students with disabilities in mainstream schools; it means making them feel welcome, respected and valued. Inclusive education is built on values that enhance a person’s ability to achieve their goals and embrace diversity as an opportunity to learn.

Students with disabilities need adequate support to participate on equal terms with others in the education system. Mainstream schools must provide for an environment that maximizes academic and social development.

The term “mainstream schools” refers to school systems that receive students with or without impairments as opposed to “special schools” that only receive students with impairments.