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Background and Inclusion AgendaThe Special Educational Needs and Disability Act (2001) amends the 1996 Education Act. In so doing it strengthens the rights of pupils with Special Needs to be educated in mainstream schools. It places new duties on providers to make reasonable adjustments so those disabled pupils are not at a significant disadvantage. There is also a duty to plan for increased accessibility to school premises. The statutory guidelines “Inclusive Schooling” are available on the DfES website (http://www.dfes.gov.uk/sen) and give examples of what must be done.The Act encourages the participation of children in the full range of opportunities provided by a school, including access to the full curriculum and involvement with social and community activities. In addition, the green paper Excellence for all Children (1997) proposed that as many pupils as possible should be educated in mainstream schools. The Disability Discrimination Act places this responsibility on all schools and LEAs from September 2002. Pupils with a physical or mental impairment are often presented with difficulties affecting their ability to carry out normal day to day activities. This includes physical disabilities, sensory impairments and learning disabilities. all pupils, whatever their needs, should be able to attend a local mainstream school, where they and their parents wish this, and where this is in the child’s best interests. |
