Key Terms to Better Understand the Situation
Disability: The preamble recognizes that “disability is an evolving concept and that disability results from the interaction between persons with impairments and attitudinal and environmental barriers that hinders their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”.
Discrimination: “any distinction, exclusion or restriction based on disability which has the purpose or effect of impairing or nullifying the recognition, enjoyment or exercise, on an equal basis with others, of all human rights. It includes all forms of disability discrimination, including denial of reasonable accommodation”.
Inclusive Education: The six elements of inclusive education, according to the Concept Note of the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEMR) for 2020 (UNESCO, 2018a), are governance and finance; legislation and policy; curricula and learning materials; teachers, school leaders and education support personnel; schools; and communities, parents and students.
Persons with Disabilities: Article 1 states that “(p)ersons with disabilities include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others”.
Stigma: an attribute regarded as undesirable that a person or group possesses, and which results in a lowering of that person or group’s status in the community. Stigma can result from an actual or perceived disability.