Employment, Social Affairs & Inclusion

News 23/01/2019

EPIC publishes policy memo on access to quality education for children with special educational needs

The European Platform for Investing in Children (EPIC) has published a policy memo which provides an overview of policies and practices across EU Member States in supporting access to quality education for children with special educational needs (SEN).

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This policy memo highlights the main approaches used in Member States and identifies some key challenges for policy-makers and practitioners in helping to support access to quality education for children with SEN.

Supporting access to quality education

The EU supports inclusive and quality education as part of its Disability Strategy 2010-2020 which promotes social inclusion for all children. However, access to quality schooling is a key challenge for many parents of children with SEN, and policies and practices vary across Member States.

This policy memo sets out the policy framework, which supports the education of children with SEN in inclusive settings, and identifies the main approaches taken by Member States and some key challenges for policy-makers and practitioners.

The authors also seek to highlight examples of practices from across the EU. They conclude that there would be value in collaboration and sharing of best practices between nations to develop the evidence base on which practices are most effective.

The memo is part of the EPIC series of short policy memos focusing on topics relevant to child welfare aimed at policymakers, researchers and practitioners.

European Day of Persons with Disabilities

EPIC attended the annual conference hosted by the European Commission on the Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December 2018.

Participants included European decision-makers, self-advocates, national organisations and European networks, who highlighted the challenges and discrimination that people with disabilities face every day.

They debated the next European Disability Strategy and explored how to use available funds to support the social inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities.

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