Disability Education

This category of Disabled World covers education for persons with disabilities including specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia.

UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Right to education

The Convention states that persons with disabilities should be guaranteed the right to inclusive education at all levels, regardless of age, without discrimination and on the basis of equal opportunity.

State Parties should ensure that:

1. children with disabilities are not excluded from free and compulsory primary education, or from secondary education;

2. adults with disabilities have access to general tertiary education, vocational training, adult education and lifelong learning;

3. persons with disabilities receive the necessary support, within the general education system, to facilitate their effective education; and

4. effective individualized support measures are put in place to maximize academic and social development.

State Parties should take appropriate measures, such as:

1. endorsing the learning of Braille, alternative script, augmentative and alternative modes, means and formats of communication and orientation and mobility skills, and facilitating peer support and mentoring;

2. supporting the learning of sign language and promoting the linguistic identity of the deaf community;

3. advocating that education of persons, particularly children, who are blind and/or deaf, is delivered in the most appropriate languages and means of communication for the individual; and

4. employing teachers, including teachers with disabilities, who are qualified in sign language and/or Braille, and to train education professionals and staff about disability awareness, use of augmentative and alternative modes and formats of communication, and educational techniques and materials to support persons with disabilities.

Education For All is based on the fundamental principle that all persons should have the opportunity to learn.

Inclusive education is the education framework for including children with disabilities and was originally based on a principle stating that all should have the opportunity to learn together.

Education For All does not limit its focus to primary education, but includes secondary and tertiary education as well. Children and adults with disabilities do not only have the right to an education, they have the right to be part of today's mainstream education system.

In Australia Disability Standards for Education were formulated under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 and tabled in Parliament on 17 March 2005 and came into effect in August 2005. The Standards clarify the obligations of education and training providers to ensure that students with disabilities are able to access and participate in education without experiencing discrimination.

In the UK it is the ambition of the special educational needs (SEN) and disability division that every child with special educational needs reaches their full potential in school, and can make a successful transition to adulthood and the world of further and higher education, training or work.

In the US The National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR) provides leadership and support for a comprehensive program of research related to the rehabilitation of individuals with disabilities. All their programmatic efforts are aimed at improving the lives of individuals with disabilities from birth through adulthood.

Typical learning difficulties include dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, often complicated by associated disorders such as attention deficit and/or hyperactivity disorder.

Further Information Regarding Disability Education

Post-9/11 G.I. Bill Offers Exceptional New Education Benefits
Earlier this year the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill went into effect, changing and expanding the education benefits available to veterans who have served since September 10, 2001. As Veteran's Day approaches, U.S. News University Directory encourages those who qualify to take advantage of this program - none are more worthy of an opportunity to achieve the American dream.

Educating Students With Disabilities in Cyberspace
National Disability Employee Awareness Month in October recognizes contributions made by Americans with disabilities to the workforce and in society. Online higher education readies this workforce and makes earning a college degree accessible for more students.

Grants Awarded to Help Struggling Readers
Eight states will receive $6.6 million in Striving Readers grants to improve the literacy skills of struggling adolescent readers, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced today.

Veterans Affairs Issues Emergency Checks to Students Awaiting Education Benefits
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and who have not yet received their government payment.

Rewrite of "No Child Left Behind" Should Start Now
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today said that the $24.8 billion in federal funds available annually to the nation's schools should support reforms that prepare students for success in college and careers.

$108.8 Million in Early Reading First Grants
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today announced the award of more than $108.8 million in Early Reading First grants to 28 local education agencies and other public or private organizations in 18 states and Washington, D.C., to improve the school readiness of young children, especially those from low-income families.

Reading Rockets - Multimedia Reading Project for Kids
Reading Rockets is a national, multimedia project that offers both information and resources on how young children can learn to read and why so many struggle, as well as how caring adults can help.

U.S. Department of Education Video Contest
In two minutes or less, America's students have an opportunity to show the nation and the world how far education can take them and how they will achieve their dreams.

America's College Students to get Biggest Increase in Financial Aid Since the GI Bill
Today, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to give America's college students the biggest increase in financial aid since the GI Bill.

Student Loan Default Rates Increase
"The economic downturn likely had a significant impact on the borrowers captured in these rates," Duncan said. "The Department is reaching out to make sure current and prospective student borrowers are aware of the many flexible repayment options designed to assist them with their financial obligations, such as the new Income-Based Repayment Plan."

Textbook Savings for Canadian Students With Disabilities
Canadian students with disabilities at university or college can save substantially when they buy and sell used textbooks online, make friends, and exchange tips about their courses.

Registration and Advisement Advice for College Students with Disabilities
Academic advisement in college is crucial! Although the option exists for you to select your own courses and self-register, academic advising is critical, particularly for students who learn differently. The optimal situation is seeing someone in the disability services office who knows you well and is familiar with your learning style.

Student Grants and Financial Assistance - Canada
A new, consolidated Canada Student Grant will be available to students in fall 2009. Before, the Government of Canada offered many different small grants. Now, all federal grants will be combined to provide more effective support for students and to better assist Canadian families who struggle with the cost of higher education.

Recovery Act Funds for Schools with Students in Greatest Need
The Department of Education has made available ahead of schedule the second half of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding $11.37 billion in Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, IDEA, and Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) grants and provided further guidance to states and schools on use of funds, flexibility, and the need for collaboration across programs.

School Improvement Grants to Fund Changes Where Children Have Been Underserved - Title I
Today, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced draft requirements for $3.5 billion in Title I School Improvement grants to turn around the nation's lowest performing schools. If we are to put an end to stubborn cycles of poverty and social failure, and put our country on track for long-term economic prosperity, we must address the needs of children who have long been ignored and marginalized in chronically low-achieving schools.

Post-secondary Education now more Accessible to students
The Government of Canada is investing $350 million in post-secondary education through the new Canada Student Grants Program, being offered under the Canada Student Loans Program. Students may qualify for one or more of the Canada Student Grants, which include new grants for students from low- and middle-income families, part-time students, students with permanent disabilities, and students with dependants. Students are not required to pay the money back.

Universal Child Care Benefit Canada
More than two million Canadian children have benefited from the Universal Child Care Benefit (UCCB) which was launched in July 2006. This marks the third year that the Government of Canada has been providing choice in child care through the UCCB. The UCCB provides families with $100 a month for every child under the age of six.

Students with Disabilities - Rights and Responsibilities
More and more high school students with disabilities are planning to continue their education in postsecondary schools, including vocational and career schools, two- and four- year colleges, and universities. As a student with a disability, you need to be well informed about your rights and responsibilities as well as the responsibilities postsecondary schools have toward you. Being well informed will help ensure you have a full opportunity to enjoy the benefits of the postsecondary education experience without confusion or delay.

IDEA - Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is a law ensuring services to children with disabilities throughout the United States. IDEA governs how states and public agencies provide early intervention, special education and related services to more than 6.5 million eligible infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities.

Distance Learning Education Information
What is distance learning? Is it an educational revolution as some people proclaim, or is it overblown hype of another learning method? Perhaps a good place to answer this question is with a dictionary definition.

Disability College Services - United States
Major US college disability information for students including hearing impaired schools and colleges. Many high school students with disabilities plan to continue their education in colleges and universities. As a student with a disability, you need to be informed about your rights and the responsibilities post secondary schools must abide by. In this article we have listed links and important information regarding many universities and colleges in the United States.