Special education services seek to promote the inclusion of all children with special needs in the education system, regardless of the nature or level of special need involved. The aim is to ensure that all children with special educational needs can avail of as complete an educational experience as possible.
In support of this objective, children with special needs have access to a range of models of response. These extend from special schools which are dedicated to particular disability groups, through special dedicated classes attached to ordinary schools, to the support of children with special needs on a fully integrated basis in ordinary schools. All of these models of response involve the allocation of special levels of teaching and other supports which are based on the assessed needs of the individual child.
The Education Act, 1998 makes provision for children with special educational needs in respect of admission, access and accommodation, school planning and inspection of programmes. Underlying these provisions is the duty of the Minister to make available to each person resident in the State, including a person with a disability or who has other special educational needs, support services and a level and quality of education appropriate to meeting the needs of that person. In addition, the Equal Status Act, 2000, prohibits discrimination, including discrimination on grounds of disability, by schools in the area of admissions, access, terms and conditions of participation and expulsion.
The Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill will provide a statutory framework within which the education of children and people who have special educational needs because of disabilities can be guaranteed. It will ensure provision for people with special educational needs through a dedicated mediation and appeals system and set out a range of services which must be provided. It will also establish the National Council for Special Education which will have responsibility for planning and co-ordinating the provision of education and support services to children with special educational needs.