The link between disability and education

• About 75% of the children between 7 and 12 years old do not attend primary school. 33% of them are children with disabilities;
• Only 2% of children with disabilities in developing countries attend school;
• Less than 5% of children with disabilities fulfil their primary education;
• According to a recent UN study only 3% of the adults with disabilities are able to read and write.

The majority of children with disabilities suffer from mild disabilities, often not visible or difficult to detect. Learning difficulties, speech impediment and physical, cognitive, sensorial and emotional problems are considered to be disabilities as well. The low level of schooling of children with disabilities entails important consequences for the future.

On a normal school day the way to school is one of the first hurdles children with disabilities need to take. Once arrived at school the often poorly adjusted infrastructure turns a school day into a day full of obstacles. Teachers often find themselves not qualified or adequately trained to teach and cope with children with disabilities. A troubling finding since inclusive education is most important for the development of a child. Inclusive education holds the point of view that education should be open to all and that the best educational results are achieved when children, with and without disabilities, are taught together in the same class. Teaching children with disabilities in the ‘normal’ schools, together with other children and with the aid of modern techniques remains our objective.

According to article 2.1 in the Declaration for the Rights of the Child and article 7.1 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, children with disabilities should enjoy the same rights and be given the same opportunities as other children. Especially when it comes to education: schooling is still a crucial condition to prevent exclusion and poverty.