INFORM
The work of Fergus & Delilah is guided by principles of the The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Article 24 of the CRPD makes specific reference to the equal rights of all children.
The UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, ‘General Comment No. 4 (2016) on Article 24: Right to Inclusive Education’, outlines the barriers that continue to deny people with disability quality education in line with their peers. The General Comment states ‘only inclusive education can provide both quality education and social development for persons with disabilities, and a guarantee of universality and non-discrimination in the right to education.
The Federal Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (DDA), outlines the protection provided to all people in Australia against discrimination based on disability.
The Disability Standards for Education were developed under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992, and came into effect in August 2005. The Standards guide education and training providers to ensure all students with disability can access and participate on an equal basis with their peers.
The National Disability Strategy (2010-2020) is the policy framework through which Australia fulfills its obligations under the CRPD. The Strategy has six areas of policy action: Inclusive and accessible communities; Rights protection, Justice and legislation, Economic security, Personal and community support; Learning and skills and Health and wellbeing.
This article from The Conversation gives a good overview of what inclusive education really means. The author is Kathy Cologon, Senior Lecturer, Institute of Early Childhood, Macquarie University
This submission was made by Catia Malaquias, Founder and Director of Starting with Julius, to the Day of General Discussion on the Right to Education under Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Persons of Disabilities (UNCRPD), held on 15 April 2015 at the United Nations, Geneva.
All Means All
The Australian Alliance for Inclusive Education, is a nationwide multi-stakeholder alliance of people and organisations working together to implement an inclusive education system and remove the legal, structural and attitudinal barriers that limit the rights of some students, including many students with disability, to access full inclusive education in regular classrooms in Australian schools.
People with Disability Australia Incorporated
PWDA is a peak, national cross-disability rights and advocacy organisation. They seek to provide people with disability with a voice of their own and their membership base is made-up primarily of people with disability.
Children and Young People with Disability Australia
(CYDA) is the national peak body which represents children and young people (aged 0-25) with disability. CYDA provides a link between the direct experiences of children and young people with disability and their families to federal government and other key stakeholders.
Autism Awareness Australia
Autism Awareness is Australia’s leading voice for autism. They aim to improve the lives of all Australians on the autism spectrum and the families who love them.
Everybody Belongs
Everybodybelongs is about understanding and sharing simple ways we can all make a real difference by showing kids with additional needs and their families that everybody is welcome and important in our communities.
