COMPILATION OF INTERNATIONAL NORMS
AND STANDARDS RELATING TO DISABILITY
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II. CONVENTIONAL PROTECTION OF RIGHTS
A. GENERAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTRUMENTS
5. United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural
Organisation
The Salamanca Statement, adopted on the World Conference on Special Needs Education in
1994, reaffirms a commitment to Education for All and recognises the necessity and urgency
of providing education for children, youth and adults with special educational needs
within the regular education system (article 1). Article 2 provides that every child has a
fundamental right to education, and that those with special educational needs must have
access to regular schools which should accommodate them within a child centred pedagogy
capable of meeting these needs. Articles 3 and 4 of the Statement urge Governments and the
international community to endorse the approach of inclusive schooling.
Article 1 of the Sundberg Declaration provides: "Every disabled person must be
able to exercise his fundamental right to have full access to education, training, culture
and information." Article 2 provides that Governments and national and international
organisations must take effective action to ensure the fullest possible participation by
disabled persons. Pursuant to article 11, disabled persons must be provided with the
facilities and equipment necessary for their education and training.
Article 3 (1) of the World Declaration on Education for all - Meeting Basic Learning
Needs outlines the principle that basic education should be provided to all children,
youth and adults. In particular, article 3 (5) provides that the learning needs of the
disabled demand special attention and that steps need to be taken to provide equal access
to education to every category of disabled persons as an integral part of the education
system.
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